IOT Powered Smart Strata Monitoring System for early and precise detection of Convergence in Underground Coal Mines

Abstract

Roof fall, bed separation and convergence are one of the serious life-threatening problems faced by the miners in all the underground coal mines since early mining age to current mining situations. Most of the statistics regarding fatal accidents and trapped miners in underground coal mines are the results of sudden roof fall due to bed separation of overlying strata in the underground mine galleries or roadways. In Indian underground coal mines, many of fatalities were seen over the years although this rate has been gradually decreasing since past decade only by implementing some of physical and mechanical methods to detect or monitor strata convergence. With the advancement of technology, sensors become an extensive part of everyday life. Various researchers are trying to monitor, detect and prevent fatalities due to roof fall in real time scenario in underground coal mines with the use of sensors, IOT and other technology. The main aim is to Install a non-invasive laser proximity sensor in the hole drilled into the roof where the necessity arises to remotely monitor the convergence in the strata under bad roof conditions in underground coal mines and monitor them remotely with an automated display showing the details of the bed separation, roof convergence and detailed information about the roof condition remotely. Key Word: Internet of Things, Strata Monitoring, Roof Fall, Convergence, Real time, Display device, Proximity sensors, Remote Monitoring.