Coal Stockpile, Guangdong
Project Background
A large coal storage site in Guangdong, China, faced ongoing challenges in monitoring spontaneous combustion risks within coal stockpiles. As coal remains exposed to air over long periods, slow oxidation continuously generates heat. Once internal temperatures reach ignition conditions, spontaneous combustion may occur, leading to resource loss and serious safety hazards.
Traditional monitoring methods such as manual inspection, fixed gas sensors, and infrared thermal imaging present several limitations in practical applications:
Limited inspection efficiency and coverage
Difficulty detecting internal hotspots within coal piles
Monitoring blind spots from fixed sensors
Severe signal attenuation on low-reflectivity black coal surfaces
To improve early warning capability for spontaneous combustion risks, the customer introduced the UAV-based methane monitoring solution developed by BLV Technology for on-site testing in the coal storage area.
Solution Overview
UAV Inspection Platform
The project utilized a drone-mounted methane monitoring system for automated aerial inspections across the coal storage site, enabling large-area, non-contact gas detection.Detection Equipment
The UAV was equipped with the BL-CH4 400 laser methane detector based on TDLAS (Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy) technology.
Key capabilities include:
Long-range non-contact methane detection
Accurate low-concentration methane identification
Real-time concentration display and alarm
Stable detection in low-reflectivity environments
Real-time UAV inspection data transmission
Detection Principle
During coal oxidation and temperature rise, methane and other gases are released. Monitoring methane concentration changes enables early identification of abnormal internal heating areas, providing advance warning of spontaneous combustion risks.
TDLAS technology analyzes methane concentration by detecting laser absorption at specific wavelengths. Even under extremely low-reflectivity conditions, the system can reliably capture weak return signals and maintain stable detection performance.
Project Implementation
During the field test, the customer specifically focused on low-reflectivity coal pile scenarios. Measurements showed that the coal surface reflectivity was only approximately 5%, causing severe signal loss for conventional laser detection equipment.
During inspection operations, the UAV carrying the BL-CH4 400 conducted circular scanning flights around the coal stockpiles.
The system successfully detected methane concentrations ranging from tens to hundreds of ppm while providing stable real-time alarms and data output. The customer then conducted comparative tests using methane gas bags with different concentration levels, and the system accurately identified all targets without missed detections.
Project Results
Early Warning of Spontaneous Combustion Risks
By monitoring methane emissions from coal piles, the system enabled early identification of abnormal internal heating areas and reduced spontaneous combustion risks.
Reliable Detection on Low-Reflectivity Surfaces
Even on low-reflectivity black coal surfaces, the system maintained stable weak-signal detection performance and accurate measurement results.
Improved Inspection Efficiency
The UAV rapidly completed large-area inspections, significantly improving inspection efficiency while reducing manpower requirements.
Safer Non-Contact Inspection
The solution enabled remote gas monitoring without requiring personnel to enter hazardous areas, improving operational safety.
Support for Fully Automated Inspection
In addition to the BL-CH4 400 series, BLV Technology also offers the BL-CH4 Mini 3 Pro series, compatible with drone docking stations for automated takeoff, inspection, return, and charging operations.
Conclusion
This field test in Guangdong successfully demonstrated the practical value of UAV-mounted TDLAS methane detection technology for coal stockpile spontaneous combustion monitoring.
By combining UAV mobility with high-sensitivity methane sensing technology, BLV Technology provides the coal industry with a safer, smarter, and more efficient solution for spontaneous combustion risk monitoring.
The solution is also suitable for applications including landfills, waste treatment facilities, natural gas stations, chemical plants, and other industrial safety monitoring scenarios.
