FUELS IN MINING
Feeling the burn
Paul Moore looks at the options for alternative fuels such as HVO in mining but also how to manage diesel better in current mining operations
The industry is at a clear transition in moving away from diesel – but while a lot of the focus has been on a switch to battery electric power or hydrogen fuel cells , there are a series of other “ e-fuel ” options out there which deserve discussion . E-fuels broadly are fuels that are synthetised using renewable electricity , often using inorganic feedstock . They include liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons such as methane and various gasoline-like , diesel-like fuels , alcohols such as ethanol and methanol , and non-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia .
This issue includes another article on engine technology but we also talked to the engine majors on the topic of alternative fuels . Robert Schaefer , Director , Mining Accounts , Growth and Innovation told IM : “ Cummins believes the longterm future of energy in mining will be zero carbon emissions , well-to-wheel . This is the destination , and the journey there includes a comprehensive technology roadmap with two primary components : zero emissions technologies such as fuel cells and batteries , and low to zero carbon fuels . As our industry thinks more broadly the understanding of Scope 2 emissions will drive deliberate energy changes . We also believe the green electron and needed green energy infrastructure is the enabler to the industry reaching its ultimate and aspirational goals .”
He adds : “ When you think about the ‘ fuels ’ component of this tech roadmap , realistically , there are just four widely accepted carbonneutral fuels . And , they each play a unique role in decarbonising mining and beyond . Among these four carbon-neutral fuels , there is one that is most closely aligned with the industry ’ s current powertrains , and the current infrastructure : biomass . Given biomass can produce liquid and gaseous fuels that are very similar to the fossil fuels used today , we expect biomass to play a bigger role in decarbonising mining , especially in near future . Another reason for the emphasis on biomass ’ near future role is that it is the only fuel among these four that do not require the use of our limited renewable electricity sources . Then comes green hydrogen and a unique benefit it offers : powering both ICE and fuel cells . This makes the shelf life of hydrogen , as a fuel , in decarbonising mining longer , because miners that invest in building hydrogen infrastructure can leverage it both for ICE and fuel cells . Even on a vehicle , the storage tank remains the same whether the vehicle has an engine or fuel cell .”
He continued : “ Synthetic fuels ( or e-fuels ) are also carbon-neutral when produced using renewable electricity . They come with the
US Borax recently became the first site across Rio Tinto to trial renewable diesel fuel in one of its haul trucks
advantage of enabling the industry to leverage the existing infrastructure , and improvements to reduce cost and increase availability are expected to ramp up in the future . It is likely we , as an industry , will learn more about e-fuels ’ viability in the coming years . Finally , renewable electricity is the ultimate source of energy , and we believe most mining applications eventually reach there ; but with varying pace .”
These views were also echoed by the other main independent mining engine player Rolls- Royce , which told IM it has a plan of sequential steps for the mining industry : from existing Tier 4 technology – which already reduces CO 2 emissions by up to 6 % compared to Tier 2 engines – to the use of sustainable fuels , to new technologies such as fuel cells , hybrid solutions and internal combustion engines that can run on sustainable fuels , as well as microgrid solutions for powering mines that can help reduce emissions and operating costs .”
Cobus van Schalkwyk , Head of Rolls-Royce ’ s global mining business , said to IM : “ We are supporting the mining industry to meet its ambitious emissions reduction targets and ultimately achieve net zero carbon .” mtu engines are currently being adapted to run on sustainable EN15940 fuels , eg HVO ( Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil ) or e-diesel produced from hydrogen using renewable energy . These fuels play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in applications that are difficult to electrify . By 2023 , the latest generations of mtu Series 2000 and 4000 engines are expected to be compatible with these fuels . “ HVO , a synthetic drop-in diesel fuel plays an important role . Waste vegetable and animal fats and used cooking oils can be used as base materials for HVO , which are converted into hydrocarbons by means of a catalytic reaction with the addition of hydrogen .
Through this process , the fats and vegetable
Cummins says alternative and low-carbon fuels represent an important part of mining ’ s zero emissions well-to-wheel journey
18 International Mining | JULY 2022