MINING ENGINES
DEUTZ taps TALPA for IIoT solution
Like Cummins , DEUTZ is expanding its digital services portfolio to keep its engines running for longer , using its relationship with TALPA Solutions , a leading IIoT ( Industrial Internet of Things ), analytics and intelligence solution provider for heavy industry , to develop a new software platform .
The engine company has been cooperating with TALPA to develop FUSIONHub , a software platform that can analyse engine data as well as the entire application , from tyres to each of the machine ’ s add-on components .
According to DEUTZ , users will benefit in many ways , gaining access to the maintenance schedules of the engines they are using and seeing how long their machines have been in operation . Highly detailed control system data helps to minimise machine and component downtime while increasing productivity , meanwhile . The data also helps to improve business performance , optimise costs and minimise operating risk .
FUSIONHub , DEUTZ says , uses data that would otherwise be lost . The software has two key benefits : first , fleet operators can deploy their machines more efficiently . Second , because FUSIONHub allows OEMs and dealers to develop new service offerings , such as sophisticated diagnostics and repair solutions , companies can boost service life across their machines ’ entire lifecycle .
Machine owners also benefit from solutions such as performance monitoring , which reminds them about maintenance cycles and provides prompts to optimise processes and machines .
“ Based on the low-pressure DI system for heavy-duty engines , we are also developing and testing a system with higher flow rates for larger engines ,” Pirkl said .
At the same CONEXPO event , Liebherr presented a prototype of its hydrogen engine for construction sites of the future , which employs the described direct hydrogen injection technology to power the engine .
Multi-fuel decarbonisation solutions
Hydrogen is just one fuel option Mine Energy Solutions is pursuing as part of its tri-fuel power platform .
Around this time last year , Graham Box , Business Development and Project Facilitation Lead at MES , told IM that the company was running haul truck engine simulations with three fuels – diesel , coal seam gas ( CSG ) and hydrogen – at its facilities .
One of the first tri-fuel assessment trials involved the company ’ s 3,500 hp ( 2,610 kW ) dynamometer fitted to a CAT C-175-16 engine .
Upon final review of the performance and emission data by its Engine Development Team , MES said the company ’ s existing dual-fuel engine conversion technology can be augmented to accept the next phase of fuel transition – hydrogen blend with conventional natural gas and CSG
While this research continues , the company ’ s dual-fuel platform continues to grow in terms of demand .
A pilot is underway with a converted 793F haul truck operating in circuit at a large Bowen Basin coal mine in Australia , a precursor to conversion of a large and diverse mobile fleet at this and other mines in the region . And further uptake of this solution could be included as part of a new partnership with FLANDERS .
The two companies announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding ( MoU ) at The Electric Mine 2023 , in Tucson , Arizona , in late- May . FLANDERS said this would serve as the platform to provide the best-in-class aftermarket dual fuel ( natural gas + diesel ) technology for diesel engine haul trucks to reduce carbon emissions from haulage operations . It could also soon be part of FLANDERS ’ FREEDOM™ truck drive system , which provides a common agnostic solution across truck brands ( 100-320 t-size class ) for both mechanical and electric drive trucks .
John Oliver , CEO of FLANDERS , said of the MoU : “ This move is a significant step forward in our agnostic , interoperable fleet decarbonisation offering strategy , catalysing immediate decarbonisation initiatives into mine-ready reality .”
Wayne Chmiel , Chief Commercial Officer , who revealed the agreement at the event during his presentation , added : “ We are thrilled to be in alliance with MES to provide world-class sales and support to their multi-fuel decarbonisation solutions for the mining industry . Our teaming up will catalyse and scale the decarbonisation of the mining industry ‘ now ’ while significantly reducing customers ’ TCO .”
Adrian Abbott , CEO of MES , added : “ Decarbonising the mining industry is a priority for us , and we are excited to be working with FLANDERS on this important initiative .”
With both of MES ’ tri- and dual-fuel platforms , more than 70 % of energy will be derived from non-diesel sources .
Rolls-Royce on the repower
Rolls-Royce has promoted the benefits of engine repowering for many years , with a recent case study from Australia ’ s Hunter Valley region proving this out .
Increased time between overhauls , effective reduction of fuel consumption and costs , as well as savings in carbon emissions , were benefits observed during a project to repower haul trucks at one of Yancoal ’ s open-cut coal mines with state-of-the-art mtu engine solutions by Penske Australia , Rolls-Royce says .
The project began at one of Yancoal ’ s mine sites , Mount Thorley Warkworth ( MTW ), which presented special challenges for the haul trucks used on site .
For every tonne of coal , around six tonnes of waste has to be removed , and the gradients of up to 10 % mean the trucks have to run at full revolutions per minute for an average of one third of the time in order to retrieve the coal .
The customer previously had conventional 2,500 bhp ( 1,864 kW ) engines powering the haul trucks that had come to the end of their life and needed replacing . The decision was made to repower the fleet of Komatsu 830Es with 2,500 bhp 16-cylinder mtu Series 4000 engines through
Increased time between overhauls , effective reduction of fuel consumption and costs , as well as savings in carbon emissions , were benefits observed during a project to repower haul trucks at one of Yancoal ’ s open-cut coal mines with state-of-the-art mtu engine solutions by Penske Australia
54 International Mining | JULY 2023