Use of gas-turbine engines for mining dump trucks in the conditions of the North

Abstract

A steady trend of growing open pit depths and the corresponding increase in the hauling distance in the world practice of open-cast mining have determined the main direction of the development of mining dump trucks towards enhancing their carrying capacity, which leads to an increase in the capacity of a power plant, weight-size parameters of the engine, and the quantity of the fuel consumed. In winter, the preparation of a diesel engine for the start-up with a special heating system at the air temperature of –40 °C takes up to 40–50 min. Due to the problems of starting the engine at low temperatures, diesel engines are often not shut off during the entire winter period, resulting in the engine eoveraging, significant overconsumption of fuel and an increase in exhaust emissions. The main advantages of gas turbine engines include high efficiency at loads close to nominal, high aggregate capacity combined with low weight and dimensions (energy consumption is 1000–3000 kW/m3, 1000–2000 kW/t), high maneuverability and readiness for action (preparation for action takes 10-15 minutes with the start-up time of 120-180 s), adaptability to automation, high reliability, relatively simple design and maintenance, high manufacturability, possibility of aggregate repair, easy and reliable start-up at low temperatures and lower exhaust emissions. The specific gravity of a gas turbine engine is much less and does not exceed 25-30% of a piston engine weight, making it possible to lighten the engine frame and increase the load capacity of the dump truck. The power-to-size ratio of a gas turbine engine is also higher than that of a piston-type one, therefore the former is characterized by a 2-3-fold reserve in terms of space in the engine compartment of the dump truck. Besides, the gas turbine engine can work for a long time in the conditions of high dust, use cheaper gas fuel and requires practically no oil. Low weight and compact size, the option of getting high capacity in a single unit and remote control, along with easy and reliable start-up at low temperatures make gas turbine engines very attractive for use on heavy-duty mining dump trucks, road trains with active trailers and semi-trailers, especially in the northern and arctic areas.

Keywords

• mining trucks; ecology; open-cast mining; diesel engine
• gas turbine engine
• environmental and economic efficiency