WVU VENTILATION MONITORING SYSTEM BOOSTS SAFETY IN UNDERGROUND MINING.

A new computerized mine ventilation system is described that continuously monitors air flow, temperature, pressure and humidity, as well as methane and carbon dioxide content. Developed by West Virginia University researchers, this environmental monitoring system now awaits only the refinement by a manufacturer into a commercially available product. A remote-control ventilation regulator, an accompanying development to the monitoring system, is also described, and it is explained how data from all sensors are converted to determine status of conditions in the mine.