Prototipagem para monitoramento e análise de sistema de fluxo de ar em galerias de minas subterrâneas com o uso de sistemas embarcados, módulos e sensores

Abstract

In underground mines, airflow measurement processes for assessing ventilation systems are essential for proper environmental conditioning. The main adverse conditions in these environments include the presence of harmful gases, high temperatures, and excessive humidity. Thus, adequate ventilation ensures better air quality alongside thermal comfort in operational areas. Consequently, alternative technological solutions have been sought through software to aid in monitoring and regulating airflow in underground mine galleries, thereby enhancing the efficiency of systematic airflow control. Given this, the objective of this work is to identify alternative methods for monitoring ventilation systems in underground mines using microcontrollers, modules, and sensors that enable telemetry-based airflow monitoring and analysis. For this purpose, a prototype was designed and developed for data transmission and reception using a microcontroller, optical sensor, gas identification sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, altitude sensor, and atmospheric pressure sensor. These components work together in a mobile system that can be controlled and deployed to airflow measurement environments. The resulting prototype successfully identified and measured temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and altitude using the BME280 sensor. It also measured gas concentrations such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), butane, LPG, and/or smoke. Finally, an optical sensor was used to measure airflow via a calibration curve derived from an anemometer embedded in the prototype and tested in a controlled environment. It is expected that with more precise sensor calibration, improved construction, and increased prototype robustness, this system can be applied effectively in underground mine environments.