FUELS IN MINING
mining equipment compatible with biofuel ( biodiesel fuel blends up to B20 confirming to ASTM D7467 ). The first set of HD785-7 dump trucks compatible with biofuel was recently handed over to a customer at a ceremony held at KIPL ’ s factory at Oragadam in Tamil Nadu .
Komatsu said that this is the start of a new era in the Indian mining equipment industry which can lead to a substantial reduction in carbon footprint . “ Although Komatsu is ready with biofuel compatible mining equipment , it is also essential that a consistent supply of the desired quality of the fuel is available at remote mining jobsites . The Government ’ s thrust on accelerating the use of alternate fuel is expected to complement such new initiatives of Komatsu .”
US Borax said in December 2021 that it had become the first site across Rio Tinto to trial “ renewable diesel ” fuel in one of its haul trucks . The Boron mine in California conducted a 5,000- hour trial to ensure the truck ’ s performance meets its standards and that the renewable diesel does not impact the truck ’ s fuel system components life , it said . The renewable diesel was running on an mtu engine .
Renewable diesel , the company said , is a likefor-like replacement for the standard diesel that currently runs its trucks . “ The major difference with is that renewable diesel is manufactured using organic biomass , such as vegetable oil and a variety of waste including tallow and residues ,” it said . “ These materials are hydro-treated in the same manner as normal diesel , but the feed stock used means renewable diesel fuel produces significantly less emissions – between 70-80 % less .”
Whereas biodiesel can only , typically , be used as a blend of up to 20 % volume of normal diesel , renewable diesel can be used as a complete replacement or mixed with normal diesel , the company explained .
Fuel security and management
Of course , mining is still almost totally using diesel and there are technologies that are helping manage that resource on-site more efficiently .
Fuels and oils have always been one of the top operational expenses in mining , and over the years , processes have been deployed in context of the available technologies . Banlaw told IM : “ In the 1980s and 1990s fluid transfer hardware enhancements helped reduce the risks of significant leaks and spills . In the 2000s and 2010s , hardware to ensure better ISO cleanliness of fluids avoided many unscheduled maintenance events , and fuel management technologies addressed some of the most significant areas of fuel waste . Now we are in the 2020s . Fuel prices are 600 % of what they were in the 1980s . It ' s time to ensure that every gallon , litre , or kilogram of the fuels and lubricants you buy get used to the benefit of your business . It ' s time for infallible fluid security , optimised usage across operations , and the emissions reductions that come with it .”
With fuel prices hitting new records every other day , security has become a key subject in all countries . Ensuring that it ' s all properly accounted for means the amount of fuel tax paid can be minimised in jurisdictions that pass on savings for priority industries . “ Suppose contractors are allowed access to fluids on your site . In that case , unobtrusive security technologies ensure fuel is not treated as free , and that consumption is linked to the correct asset , fleet and cost centre . Finally , when your fuels can only be dispensed into authorised machines and cannot be covertly or mistakenly removed from vehicle fuel tanks , you are left with complete visibility and total control of this significant cost .”
Banlaw says fluid security technologies have come a long way in recent years . “ Dry break refuelling equipment with Auto ID technologies on the inside just can ' t be tricked into dispensing when they shouldn ' t . Splash fill Auto ID solutions now use extreme close-proximity RFID , and are also very , very secure . Finally , long range RFID ensures that consumption of fluid types such as oils and other service fluids is measured and
Fuel security is when tailored measures are put in place to safeguard fluids used throughout a business ’ s daily operations
associated with the correct piece of plant equipment . Wireless technologies mean retrofitting service carts , refuelling areas and maintenance facilities is a simple affair and no longer requires specialist skills or significant upgrades to infrastructure . The management of lubricants versus high-flow diesel refuelling versus equipment filled via a fuel tank filler neck have always been separate processes , separate controls , and often separate information systems ( if they are measured at all ). Going wireless allows these processes to be unified , optimised , simplified , and more easily afforded . Best-inclass fluid security is deployed where the risk is , and by connecting the unconnected from the point that fluids are received until they ' re consumed , disposed of , or recycled ; we create insights that avoid waste , pre-empt environmental and production risks , and save a fortune .”
Dry Break Auto ID is Banlaw ’ s proprietary solution for heavy vehicle diesel refuelling with secure technology embedded within the most robust diesel fuel nozzles , receivers , and swivels . The system comprises a Dry Break Receiver affixed to the diesel tank inlet or remote filling point . The fuel receiver has an ID chip inside , which is used to identify the vehicle / machine . When correctly coupled with a Banlaw Auto ID Dry Break Nozzle , the direct contact between nozzle and receiver passes the ID signal through to the swivel . The Wireless Swivel then transmits this machine identity signal to the local Fuel Management Controller .
IM
International Mining | JULY 2022