Wireless sensor network for early warning monitoring in underground mines: a solution to the problem of explosive atmospheres in Colombian coal mining

Abstract

This article illustrates an alternative control and automation in the early warning monitoring of explosive atmospheres by the ZigBee protocol. The purpose is to design a smart wireless sensor network to gather information quickly and reliably, on concentrations of gases produced by a threat from explosive atmospheres in underground mines. Remotely it can be determined the limits of alert levels according to data supplied by the network, sending a visual message represented by traffic lights in strategic locations within the mine. It is also described the components of early warning systems, the structure of the ZigBee wireless network and the composition of explosive atmospheres in Coward triangles.