IM 2019 July 19 | Seite 39

MINING ENGINES fuel filtration is essential for maintaining engine efficiency and helping to drive economic fleet operation by minimising that downtime,” Donaldson says. With good filtration and water separation, fuel cleanliness at the injector remains high and engine performance and efficiency will remain at consistent levels, according to the company. Poor filtration will lead to excessive wear and damage of injectors, reducing efficiency and putting equipment at high risk of downtime. “When we talk about fuel filtration and jobsite efficiency, it's important to discuss bulk filtration as well as onboard filtration,” DeGuelle said. “By pumping fuel through a high-efficiency bulk tank filter, any problems with fuel can be dealt with before being pumped into the equipment. Also, removing contaminants allows onboard filtration systems to do their job better and remain problem-free until regularly scheduled maintenance can be performed.” Donaldson recommends a four-tiered approach for this: n Use of high-efficiency filtration at the inlet of a “Effective fuel filtration is essential for maintaining engine efficiency and helping to drive economic fleet operation,” Donaldson says n Filtering fuel as it is being dispensed into the equipment is the final failsafe against contamination that happens within the tank; n And, use effective onboard filtration as your final line of defence against injector and fuel system problems. Repowering and retrofits bulk tank will protect against taking delivery of dirty fuel; n An effective breather filter on the tank will then help combat ambient dirt and moisture; olls-Royce Power Systems and XCMG, the multinational heavy machinery manufacturing company based in Jiangsu, China, just last month formed a strategic cooperation alliance to further develop the Chinese domestic and export mining equipment markets, providing optimised solutions to customers worldwide. A strategic cooperation agreement was recently signed in Xuzhou, headquarters of XCMG, by senior executives of the both companies. According to the agreement, Rolls-Royce Power Systems and XCMG will commit to joint efforts in exploring opportunities to integrate Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ MTU power and propulsion systems, including MTU Series 2000 and 4000 engines, into XCMG equipment for Chinese local and international mining projects. This brings together both parties’ technical strengths and business insights, in order to enhance product competitiveness and gain market share, Rolls-Royce Power Systems said. With annual revenue of $7.5 billion in 2018, XCMG is currently the largest market player in the Chinese construction and industrial sector, and ranks sixth in the world’s construction machinery industry, according to Rolls-Royce Power Systems. Rolls-Royce Power Systems has, since 2012, supplied MTU S2000 and S4000 diesel engines to power XCMG’s XDE series mining trucks ranging from 120-400 ton (109-363 t). Both parties see great potential in further exploring the market with mining equipment built in China powered by high performing, reliable MTU diesel engines that meet Chinese and global emission standards today and in the future, according to Rolls-Royce Power Systems. Andreas Schell, CEO, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “It is a great pleasure to strengthen our partnership with XCMG, a valued customer with a strong market position and business ambition. The agreement demonstrates commitment of both our companies to deliver world-class solutions to the world’s mining industry.” Tobias Ostermaier, President, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, Greater China, said: “I am confident that the agreement will allow better integration of MTU products and services into XCMG equipment, to achieve higher efficiency and optimised support to customers. It will also enable collaboration at different levels across each of our organisations to deliver highly completive and compelling offers to the market.” Li Zong, XCMG Mining Machinery, General Manager, said: “The win-win cooperation is aligned with our development strategy to continue to enhance technology and market leadership at home and abroad. The combined force of MTU and XCMG will allow us to leverage synergies and create shared value.” The two companies also agreed to collaborate on the validation and testing of new power and propulsion technologies, including gas engines and hybrid solutions, as well as applications of digital technologies, to drive low-carbon, sustainable development of the mining industry. R Komatsu and Cummins recently celebrated the delivery of the 100th modular common-rail system (MCRS) repower engine module to partner Rio Tinto. This program is aimed at delivering major savings in fuel efficiency, more engine horsepower and lower service costs. Since mid-2017, Rio Tinto, Cummins and Komatsu have been working together on a new technology roadmap that will see Komatsu 830E and 930E haul trucks – including autonomous trucks operating in the Pilbara region of Western Australia – upgraded with the latest Cummins QSK60 MCRS Advantage Plus engines. “This new technology allows the engines to achieve higher horsepower with fewer turbochargers, while service life between repowers is predicted to be 36,000-40,000 hours, up from 28,000-36,000 hours, delivering lower lifecycle costs,” Komatsu Australia said. According to Glenn Swift, Komatsu’s GM Western Region, the project reflects Komatsu’s philosophy of advancing, through technology and continuous improvement, the safety and operational efficiency of its product lines. “It demonstrates how we aim to continually support our customers with their specific and ever-changing requirements. This highly successful project is testament to the approach and technical ability of key people from each company, working together initially to demonstrate their faith in the product capabilities – and which has been borne out by the results achieved so far,” he said. According to Andrew Hardy, Komatsu’s Project Support Manager for Rio Tinto’s engine module program, the delivery of the 100th repower module is a significant milestone for a number of reasons. “Apart from being the 100th MCRS module delivered, the date of the installation, May 27, is exactly 560 days since we delivered the first MCRS module in November 2017,” he said. “And, from the installation of the first MCRS engine module, Rio Tinto’s dump trucks have been in service with this new engine configuration for more than 26,500 days cumulatively across the fleet, with the first truck being in service for 555 days as of May 27, 2019 JULY 2019 | International Mining 35