Advanced TDLS System for CO2 & Blackdamp Detection in Mines - DoP

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) builds up daily in coal mines from oxidation of coal, human
respiration, rock blasting, fires, rotting timbers, etc. Without adequate air ventilation in all
areas of the mine to dilute excess CO2, a ”blackdamp” atmosphere can build up where the
oxygen level is depleted and CO2 levels can increase up to 20%, creating an immediate
human asphyxiant risk due to displacement of oxygen. Current electrical gas sensors cannot
be used as fixed sensors in this potentially explosive mine gas environment because of the
spark risk. Under this Development of Prototype project OptoSci proposes to produce a
practical, intrinsically safe, laser and fibre optic based multipoint CO2 detection system using
the gas sensor designs & novel signal processing schemes devised under a previous Proof of
Concept project and then field trial the system's performance in a working coal mine.