FLEETS

MTU engines power trucks at high-altitude Tibet mine

At the Julong copper mine, MTU Series 2000 engines are powering haul trucks at high altitudes

In their very first tests in Tibet a year ago, MTU said its engines demonstrated their altitude-performance capability

In their very first tests in Tibet a year ago, MTU said its engines demonstrated their altitude-performance capability

In the high-altitude mountain environment, MTU said the engines are still able to operate without a reduction in power.

"We already knew our engines are ideal for operation at altitude, and we specifically set them up to ensure they deliver 100% power under those conditions," said MTU applications engineer Alexander Richter, who conducted commissioning operations in Tibet for haul trucks from both manufacturers.

Smart coordination between two-stage turbocharging, exhaust gas recirculation and high-pressure common rail injection systems meant that the engines met Tier 4 emissions regulations without any need for exhaust gas aftertreatment.

"The engines' two-stage turbocharging technology is the crucial factor for operation at altitude," explained Richter.

Unlike older units with single-stage turbocharging, the latest engines utilise two-stage technology to ensure adequate compression and air-feed for combustion. The air first undergoes pre-compression in a low-pressure turbocharger before it is cooled and then further compressed in a high-pressure turbocharger prior to final cooling.

As a result, MTU said, the air is so highly compressed that when it reaches the combustion chamber it again contains all the oxygen the engine needs for combustion. Consequently, no hardware modifications to the engine were needed and MTU engineers simply adjusted the engine control using the ‘virtual engine' facility.

Every MTU engine model has a computerised thermodynamic simulation model validated on the basis of measured data from test stand trials. This enables MTU developers to pre-calculate and program the correct engine control settings for every conceivable set of environmental conditions. These then only need to undergo on-site testing and fine adjustment.

The engines' environmental pressure sensors are especially vital for operation at altitude. These measure barometric pressure to allow the engine control system to select exactly the right performance maps that relate to operation at the appropriate altitude.

"In theory, we knew it would work," said Richter. "Here on site, the engines have to operate at 5,500m, and we had no relevant practice-based data for that. At these altitudes, engines from our competitors have had problems with serious power loss and heavy smoke. Engine damage is frequent. That does not happen with MTU engines."

In their very first tests in Tibet a year ago, MTU said its engines demonstrated their altitude-performance capability. Chinese construction machine manufacturer XCMG tested and commissioned a vehicle powered by a 16-cylinder MTU Series 2000 engine.

The company has already ordered a further ten engines (due for delivery at the start of 2019), and for the last few months another Chinese construction machinery company NHL has been running altitude trials in Tibet involving two MTU Type 12V 2000 C66 mining engines.

"So far, the results have been very impressive," said Richter.

Haul trucks from both companies are now in daily operation, carrying 90t and 110t loads of copper and spoil at the mine.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production