Assessment of a Heavy-Duty Methanol Engine for Underground Mining

A heavy-duty methanol engine utilizing a glow plug ignition system has been developed by Kloeckner-Humboldt-Deutz (KHD). This engine was tested to determine the performance and emissions characteristics prior to installation in a load-haul-dump (LHD) mining machine. The engine is now undergoing field trials at an operating mine in Canada. Results show that the methanol engine produced low exhaust emissions relative to the diesel-powered counterpart. Low particulate emissions and the absence of sulphur compounds were confirmed. This paper describes the engine, presents engine test results and provides an update on the field trials at the underground mines.