The Bureau of Mines' Hydrogen Powered Mine Vehicle

This paper is a summary of Bureau of Mines research to develop a low-emission underground mining vehicle. This vehicle required the development of an ultra-low-emission hydrogen engine and a rechargeable metal hydride fuel system. This work was part of the Bureau's research program on alternative power sources.

The 75-kW engine can propel a 5,700-kg articulated 4-wheel-drive vehicle for 4 h under a moderate duty cycle (30-pct load factor) while consuming about 8 kg of hydrogen evolved from the 1,200-kg hydride system.

The engine and fuel storage system could have other industrial applications in cases that require a low-pollution power source. Possible application include: warehouse forklifts, factory trucks and forklifts, mobile equipment used in tunnel driving, and buses in congested urban areas.