According to the manufacturer, the Mining IR (MIR) model is a fixed methane-gas detector approved by the U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) as permissible for use in gaseous mines. The device promises an accuracy of ±0.25 vol.% from 2.55 – 5% at 25°C and ±0.15 vol.% from 0 – 2.5%. Functional under 0 – 99% relative humidity (non-condensing), its operating temperature range is –40 to 75°C and its storage temperature range is –40 to 85°C. An LCD readout shows 0 – 5 vol.% methane with a response time of 15 s. The MIR’s casing is aluminum with a polyphthalamide weather protection baffle and field-replaceable optics-protection filters. — Det-Tronics Corp., Minneapolis, Minn.
A Methane Sensor Approved for Mining Scenarios
| By Chemical Engineering