Using a wireless system to monitor water levels efficiently in open-cast mining
A large open-cast mine in South America wanted to automate drainage of the mine, as well as automatic monitoring and control of the pumping stations. The Radioline wireless system from Phoenix Contact is able to monitor and control the water level remotely, leading to more efficient processes in the mine. Safe working conditions are thus ensured for employees.
Application
In open-cast mining, water accumulates in the pit and has to be pumped out regularly to ensure safe working conditions are maintained. Five pumping stations were installed for this purpose, which then needed to be monitored and controlled manually.
The mine operators wanted to put in place a remote monitoring and control system for the five pumping stations, so as to take the strain off their employees and automate the corresponding processes. The open-cast mine is made up of five depth levels, so a wireless solution that can reliably transport signals even over long distances and supply real-time data to the operating and monitoring center was the order of the day.
Solution
A Radioline wireless system from Phoenix Contact was installed to make the process of distributing I/O signals a simple one. The Trusted Wireless 2.0 technology on which the wireless solution is based turned out to be the ideal solution, thanks to its ability to transmit data over long distances. This meant data could also be communicated across all the different levels found in an open-cast mine.
Four Radioline modules were installed on each level of the mine in order to forward information about the water level in the pit lake. The signals are transmitted first to the communication module, which sends the information to the Inline controller via a Modbus protocol. Once that information has been processed, it is forwarded via PROFIBUS to the PLC, which conditions it for monitoring and analysis in the control room.
Various tests were performed at the end of the project to ensure communication was stable and reliable, thus providing for efficient monitoring.
Find out more about industrial wireless systems
Industrial wireless systems provide greater flexibility and efficiency in the industrial communication of data and signals. Phoenix Contact provides numerous ways for you to use wireless technology reliably and securely in your application.
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