Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2021 - ST-14

Applications
Interface smart alert and navigation system
via the Personal Safety Monitor or
the General Asset Monitor mobile app.
This device can monitor the worker's
health metrics with set parameters and
can help save lives in hazardous environments.
If a worker is known to have a
heart condition and that a certain
amount of heartbeat can be dangerous,
an alarm level can be set for that specific
worker. Whenever their heartbeat
exceeds the defined value, the alarm will
be triggered while live data continues to
be sent to the remote operator in the
control room. The remote operator can
see the alarm status on the dashboard
and immediately contact the individual
or send emergency help.
Mesh Access Points
Mesh Access Points (MAP) enable
data to be transmitted wirelessly
between the Personal Safety Monitor
and the Universal Data Interface via a
Zigbee communication protocol. Zigbee
devices transmit signals within a short
distance (10 to 100 meters), but because
the MAP utilizes a mesh network, each
device receives, and repeats signals, forwarding
them to the other network
devices within range. This addresses the
problem of receiving data in difficult
environments involving dangerous
gases, high temperatures, poor air quality,
and humidity, along with poor line of
sight in places like underground mines.
Meeting the Needs of Different
Industries
Carbon monoxide gas is one of the
most dangerous substances in the steel
manufacturing industry, particularly
around blast furnaces.
Numerous gases are associated with
mining and are generally divided into
combustible, toxic, and asphyxiant
types. Some of the more common gases
encountered are methane, carbon dioxide
(CO2), carbon monoxide (CO),
oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO2), hydrogen
sulphide (H2S), and sulphur dioxide
(SO2). Methane is the most common
combustible explosive LEL gas. It is
lighter than air, odorless and explodes at
concentrations between 5% and 15%.
These hazardous gases are often detected
during underground development
and from both surface and underground
drilling.
Workers in the oil and gas industries
face the risk of fire and explosion due to
ignition of flammable vapors or gases.
Flammable gases, such as well gases,
vapors, and hydrogen sulfide, can be
released from wells, trucks, production
equipment, or surface equipment, such
as tanks and shale shakers. Ignition
sources can include static, electrical
energy, open flames, lightning, cigarettes,
cutting and welding tools, hot surfaces,
and frictional heat.
Integrated Safety Monitoring
The goal of an integrated hazardous
atmosphere monitoring system is to
keep workers safe by delivering precise
information about the current state of
the environment, including dangerous
gases, temperature, and humidity. This
technology also aids in rescue operations,
during disasters by providing
information on the exact location of the
accident, where personnel are, and by
providing a two-way communication
between the Universal Data Interface
control room operator and the workers
in danger.
This article was written by Umer Farooq,
Technical Sales Engineer, Universal Site
Monitoring (Darwin NT, Australia). For
more information, contact Mr. Farooq at contact@universalsitemonitoring.com.au
or visit
http://info.hotims.com/79418-163.
Machine Condition Monitoring Keeps a Factory Running
n 1901, a patent was issued to Ransom
E. Olds for the idea of a continuously
moving assembly line, which he used to
build the first Oldsmobile vehicles. In
1913, Henry Ford improved the concept
by adding moving conveyor belts and
I
with these two innovations, the time
needed to assemble a car went from 1½
days to 1½ hours. The modern assembly
factory was born.
During the next four decades, the idea
of a moving production line was adopted
by numerous industries, from radios to
razors, clocks to cribs, nails to newspapers.
During World War II, the USA
built 300,000 aircraft using moving production
lines. The idea became the backbone
of manufacturing around the
world and remains the primary way to
provide products to mass markets.
The tools and machinery used to do
assembly work are the most critical part
of any line. In the 1950s, the reliability of
factory equipment was becoming an
important part of operations. If a single
machine stopped working, the entire
line would shut down until repairs could
be made. Idle machinery and assemblers
reduced efficiency and impacted costs.
Maintenance became important.
Throughout the last half of the 20th cenFigure
1. Early automobile production line. (PICRYL)
14
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tury, most factory maintenance consisted
of scheduled periodic maintenance. This
improved the reliability and service life of
the machines but did nothing to help factory
operators predict and avoid any equipment
malfunctions or unscheduled downtime.
Over the last twenty years, machine
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Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2021

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