MINING ENGINES
Longer-term changes to the mobile equipment power dynamic are also being factored into Cummins engines purchased today , according to Schaefer .
“ All the investments we are making now for production machines later in the decade – through our New Power division – are being produced with aftermarket in mind ,” he said . “ These same customers are going to want to switch over from diesel to a ‘ green / greener ’ alternative at some point in that machine ’ s life and our engineers are taking that into account .”
Just what that “ green / greener ” alternative will be is a tough call , but in a recent Analyst Investor Day presentation , Jennifer Rumsey , President and Chief Operating Officer of Cummins , provided some insight .
Commenting on the future power solutions for heavy-duty mining applications specifically , she said : “ We expect it will take a range of solutions over time and , ultimately , [ we ] see fuel cells as being a key long-term solution for this market that allows mining operators to continue to meet these power and long-hour application needs and operate in a way similar to what they do today .”
Cummins , in terms of fuel cell developments , is taking a two-pronged approach that will likely see it touch even more of the mining power dynamic than it currently does .
Schaefer explained : “ At the same time we are developing components that will consume green energy , we are also working on the front side to create green energy .”
This has seen Cummins participate in some of the biggest electrolyser manufacturing projects across the globe , as well as provide hydrogen storage solutions . One notable example in mining is the hydrogen fuel tank system Cummins and NPROXX , through a joint venture , provided Anglo American for the nuGen™ hydrogen-battery hybrid 290-t-class mining truck operating at the Mogalakwena open-pit platinum mine in South Africa .
Such infrastructure will allow companies to commit to the use of hydrogen fuel cells more readily in their mobile equipment .
“ We ’ re working really hard on the enabling technologies that will help accelerate the adoption of these green , fuel-agnostic engines in the future ,” Schaefer said .
With such expertise already developed , Cummins is confident it will be ready to provide the solutions the sector needs to hit its longerterm goals when the time arrives .
Schaefer concluded : “ The pace and strategies behind our investments are aligned with the availability of green energy to ensure that when we do come to market with a mining-ready solution , it is a solution that is cost-competitive , reliable and sustainable .”
Drivetrain options
Liebherr , similarly , is taking a dual track in its decarbonisation efforts ; a fact that was made clear during MINExpo 2021 in September .
The company confirmed it was aiming to offer completely fossil fuel free mining equipment for hauling , digging and dozing by 2030 , with the development taking into consideration the GHG emissions over the equipment ’ s full lifecycle , as well as the overall wellto-wheel energy ecosystem .
This will see it develop three drivetrain options to achieve near zero emissions for its off-highway trucks : a batterypower module , internal combustion engines powered by renewable fuels , and a H2 fuel cell battery-power module .
In terms of the interim low-carbon solutions it is providing the market , the company said it is working internally and with ABB on trolley assist infrastructure and ENGIE on integrating different renewable energy solutions into loading , hauling and dozing processes . And , as the Fuels in Mining article shows ( pages …), the company is also taking strides to use lower-carbon and renewable fuel types in its engines .
The Liebherr Group has existing in-house core competencies across all 13 product segments , in electrification , batteries , internal combustion engines , injection systems and alternative renewable fuels . Building from this experience , the Zero Emission Program has clear targets and a roadmap to achieve low-carbon solutions for the full range of off-highway trucks and excavators in 2022 , and fossil fuel free solutions for most applications by 2030 .
Modularisation , along with an energy-type agnostic approach to drivetrains , are key elements in Liebherr Mining ’ s strategy , easing the transition for customers with the possibility to retrofit modules .
The technologies , including the haul truck Trolley Assist System and electric excavator range , are consistently achieving proven results in the field to lower carbon emissions , according to the company .
On the ICE front , Liebherr-Components and Liebherr Mining recently completed an important milestone with the integration of the Liebherr D9816 engine into the new 305 t T 274 mining truck .
Specifically designed for the mining industry , the D98 series completes the already existing Liebherr engine portfolio for mining equipment and expands it to the upper power range . The series will be offered as an alternative option , with the D9816 , specifically , coming with rated power of 2,000-3,600 kW and being available in a Tier 4 Final version . The engine is also
Liebherr ’ s development work in the injection systems product area focuses on low-pressure direct injection , where the greatest challenge is the different combustion processes and behaviour of hydrogen as a medium , according to Richard Pirkl
compatible for use with HVO fuel that can significantly reduce CO 2 emissions .
Drivetrain electrification through battery combined with trolley assist , meanwhile , is underway , while Liebherr also sees an opportunity for providing propulsion energy with hydrogen fuel cell-battery hybrids .
Hydrogen combustion engines are currently being tested in Liebherr ’ s factory in Switzerland , with the company recently confirming it would display its first hydrogen engine , the H964 , at the upcoming Bauma 2022 fair in Munich , Germany , in October .
When it comes to hydrogen use within the existing ICE range , Liebherr-Components ’ work on climate-friendly injection concepts for heavyduty engines could soon come to the fore .
Development work in the injection systems product area focuses on low-pressure direct injection ( LPDI ), where the greatest challenge is the different combustion processes and behaviour of hydrogen as a medium , according to Richard Pirkl , Technical Managing Director at Liebherr-Components Deggendorf GmbH .
“ The concept of the H2 injector must ensure stable , precise and leak-free injection ,” he said . “ To achieve this , our experts in Deggendorf place particular emphasis on maximum hydrogen tightness .”
A two-valve concept ensures that H2 leakage is minimised . Depending on the configuration , the LPDI injector can be designed for system pressures of up to 60 bar , with typical applications usually in the 30-bar range .
Initial test results have shown promising behaviour of the injector in terms of injection rate and small-volume capability , according to the company .
Discussions with OEMs along with current market developments show many engine
52 International Mining | JULY 2022