Development of Iot Enabled Lorawan Based Real Time Early Warning Monitoring System for Underground Mine Environmental Parameters

Abstract

In underground mines, real time monitoring of environmental parameters is crucial for detecting hazardous scenarios during mining operations. This research study explores wireless communication technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance safety and prevent underground mining accidents, benefitting workers and organizations. Gas parameters like oxygen(O2), Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Nitrous oxide (NO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), and Ethylene oxide (EO) and environmental factors like temperature and humidity are monitored using portable multi-gas detectors certified by DGMS and a hygrometer once per shift. A hardware prototype employing IoT-enabled Sx1278 Ra-02 LoRa 433 MHz and ZigBee modules enables wireless communication from underground mine tunnels to the surface. This system was successfully tested in two Indian underground gold mines. Additionally, an IoT-enabled real-time monitoring system using HPD13A LoRa 868 MHz modules integrates CO, CO2, CH4, H2S, H2, temperature, and humidity sensors. Data is stored locally and uploaded to the cloud via LoRa receivers, providing a reliable, power-efficient solution for continuous real time monitoring in underground mines. However, the developed hardware prototype communication range and sensor power consumption limit are deployed in underground mines, especially in harsh environmental conditions. To address these challenges, an IoT-enabled LoRaWAN Gateway based system is proposed. This system integrates industrial RS485 sensors, RS485-LN converter, and LoRaWAN Gateway to monitor environmental parameters from the surface continuously. The system promptly generates an email alert notification on the surface to the concerned authority and initiates an audible alarm alert sound in underground mine tunnels and at the surface when the specified parameters exceed the predetermined thresholds. The developed LoRaWAN system was tested in an underground gold mine 832 meters below the surface, demonstrating effective wireless communication over distances up to 1000 meters. The system facilitates the transmission of vi environmental parameters data of approximately 1800 meters from an underground mine of a specific location to the surface. Real-time data displayed in a surface control room dashboard offers immediate insights into underground mine environment conditions, complementing traditional multi-gas detectors' measurements. The environmental parameters measured by the IoT-enabled LoRaWAN system are compared with those of DGMS-approved multi-gas detection devices. The measurement accuracy for gases like CO2 and NO was recorded at 86.95% and 88.57%, respectively. CO levels spiked during blasting activities. The H2S, CH4, and H2 concentrations were not detected in underground mine tunnels, while N2 concentration was noted at 77.8%. Temperature and humidity readings from the IoT-enabled LoRaWAN system ranged between 28°C to 33°C and 55% to 61%, respectively. In contrast, a portable recorder device reported temperature variations from 31°C to 33.5°C and humidity levels from 58.9% to 61.5%. Environmental data gathered through an IoT-enabled LoRaWAN system is processed using the LSTM and XGBoost machine learning algorithm to predict environmental conditions accurately. The standard validation metric RMSE validates the accuracy of these predictions. Furthermore, the system's design is robust, with intrinsic safety features, flameproof construction, and an IP65-rated panel, making it exceptionally suitable and secure for hazardous underground mine environments. The system design includes inherent safety features and IP65-rated panels for robustness in hazardous environments. In conclusion, this research emphasizes the need for standardized strategies to manage and mitigate hazardous gases in underground mines, particularly from diesel vehicles. Implementation of the IoT-enabled LoRaWAN system proves cost effective and efficient for continuous monitoring, ensuring safety and productivity in underground mining operations.