Coal and Gas Outburst Accidents and Prevention in Mines

Coal and gas outburst is a special type of gas eruption in underground mining. During excavation, fragmented coal and gas may suddenly discharge under pressure, filling the working space. This high-risk natural disaster poses serious threats to miners' lives and mine infrastructure.

Outbursts can damage roadways and ventilation systems, fill nearby areas with gas and coal dust, cause suffocation or burial of miners, and may trigger coal dust or gas explosions, resulting in severe losses.

Hazards and Causes of Coal and Gas Outbursts

Detection and Early Warning of Harmful Gases (CO, CH4)

Major harmful gases in underground coal mines include:

• Carbon Monoxide (CO): Colorless, odorless, highly toxic, binds with hemoglobin causing hypoxia; concentrations above 24ppm are life-threatening.

• Methane (CH4): Flammable and explosive, colorless and odorless; 5.3%-15% concentration can explode upon ignition.

• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S): Highly toxic; detectable at 10ppm, lethal above 100ppm.

Detection Methods:

• Electrochemical sensors: Gas reacts with electrodes generating current, converted to concentration.

• Infrared absorption: Measures CH4 concentration via specific wavelength absorption.

• Catalytic combustion sensors: Platinum wire catalyzes gas oxidation, measuring heat changes.

Early warning & integration:

• Output analog voltage (0-5V) or TTL digital signals, integrated with PLC/DCS systems for:

• Real-time alarms

• Automatic ventilation

• Evacuation alerts

  
  

Nexisense SGA-400/700 Intelligent Methane Gas Sensor Solutions

Nexisense SGA-400/700 series are standardized, modular coal mine gas detectors, designed to solve incompatibility among multiple sensor brands, complex calibration, and limited core component replacement.

Core Advantages

• Plug-and-play: Factory calibrated, no secondary calibration needed

• High precision: Error<2%, ensuring stable and reliable data

• Multiple signal outputs: 0-5V analog and TTL digital, compatible with PLC/DCS/data acquisition

• Explosion-proof: Ex d IIC T6, suitable for high-risk underground environments

• Compact: Easy multi-point deployment, space-saving

Detection Principle

• Imported methane sensor signal amplification

• Data processing and intelligent computation

• Full-range three-point temperature and humidity compensation

• Standard gas calibration, output standardized signal

Underground Gas Monitoring Deployment Strategy

• Multi-point layout: Working face, return airway, roof, high-pressure gas zones

• Real-time monitoring: 24/7 data collection and upload to control center

• Alarm integration: Automatic ventilation or alert when CO/CH4 exceeds thresholds

• Regular maintenance: Quarterly calibration, check power and signal stability

Practical Application Cases

• Large coal mine: Introduction of NS-501 series guided ventilation management via real-time data, reducing gas accident rates to zero.

• Fire early warning: CO anomalies triggered alarms, preventing hazards and saving dozens of lives.

• Data visualization and multi-point network monitoring significantly improve mine safety management efficiency.

  
  

FAQ

1. What is coal and gas outburst? Sudden discharge of coal and gas under pressure; a high-risk natural disaster.

2. What are the hazards? Causes personnel injuries, equipment damage, and explosion risks.

3. How to prevent gas accidents? Multi-point sensor layout, real-time monitoring, ventilation integration, and emergency plans.

4. Features of Nexisense SGA-400/700 sensors? High precision, modular, explosion-proof, plug-and-play, no secondary calibration.

5. How to integrate sensor signals into mine systems? Supports 0-5V analog and TTL digital signals; compatible with PLC, DCS, and data acquisition systems.

6. Where to deploy sensors? Working face, return airway, high-gas accumulation zones, roof areas.

7. Maintenance frequency? Quarterly calibration and cleaning; daily power and signal checks.

8. Application fields? Mine safety, research labs, industrial monitoring, IoT, UAVs, robots, air quality monitoring.

Conclusion

Coal and gas outbursts are among the most dangerous natural disasters in underground mines. Scientific gas detection technology combined with Nexisense intelligent methane sensors enables real-time monitoring of CO, CH4, and other harmful gases, providing early warning and reducing accident rates. Multi-point layout, data integration, and visualization not only protect miners but also enhance mine production efficiency. Choosing a professional, reliable gas detection system is the cornerstone of modern mine safety management.