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From: Alistair Mills <>
Subject: Re: Methanometer
Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 19:18:27 -0600


David Kuchta asked

> Question? When did they first start using equipment to measure methane and
> oxygen with an instrument called a methanometer? A coal miner friend of
> mine thinks it was 30 years or so ago. I just wonder when this instrument
> was invented and by whom?

Several types of methane detectors were around in the early 1950's which
indicated the presence of methane on a gauge. The first of any type of
detector was announced to the Royal Society of Arts in London on
November 9 1815, by Sir Humphrey Davy.

Strictly speaking, the Davy lamp is a scientific instrument for
detecting the presence of methane. It was first tried at Hebburn
Colliery on Jan. 1 1816

The first Miner's Safety Lamp designed to be used in coal mines without
the danger of explosion was by Dr. William Reid Clanny of Sunderland.
He presented the first one to the R.S.of A. on May 20 1813.

The Davy lamp was the first to use gauze cylinders and to burn oil.


Chris Clarke wrote:

> As you know, Davy lamps detect the lack of oxygen,

True, however, only when the available oxygen content falls below 16.25
per cent (in a methane-free atmosphere) when the flame increases in
height momentarily, then is extinguished. If there is methane present
AND low oxygen content, the flame will burn until an oxygen content of
13 per cent is reached, when it will extinguish.

The prime purpose of the flame safety lamp was to check for methane near
the roof and in pockets of poorly ventilated roadway.

In my time in the S.E. Durham coalfield, anyone carrying a flame safety
lamp was required to be "certified" annually in a controlled gas
chamber. You had to be able to tell the percentage of gas by the height
of the "cap" on the flame.

For every 6 workmen on the shift one had to carry a lamp, for which duty
he was paid a few pennies per day. Officials and surveyors had the
dubious honour of carrying the relighter type, which were heavier and we
did not get paid.

Just in case some of our subscribers are not aware, canaries, linnets or
redpolls were only taken underground after an explosion by rescue
workers.

Regards
Alistair
Lanigan, Sask., Canada.

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