The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - July 15, 2024
Vale is working with Komatsu and Cummins to develop a lower-carbon-emitting engine for 250-ton mining haul trucks that burn a diesel-ethanol blend.
Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of ethanol, a biofuel typically made from corn.
In a move that is expected to significantly lower the carbon dioxide emissions from the large mining trucks at its mines and strengthen the biofuel industry, Brazil-based mining giant Vale has partnered with Komatsu and Cummins to develop engines that burn a mix of ethanol and diesel.
Under this Dual Fuel Program, the partners will focus on converting the diesel engines in 230- to 290-ton-sized haul trucks at Vale mines to burn a mixture of ethanol and diesel, which is expected to reduce direct CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to straight diesel engines.
This ability to significantly reduce CO2 emissions by converting the engines of its existing fleet is a practical and important step in Vale's sustainability targets, which include a 33% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and complete neutrality by 2050.
"Removing diesel from our operations is crucial for our decarbonization goals," said José Baltazar, Vale's director of engineering for mine and plant operations.
The Dual Fuel Program could provide all three companies with a stepping stone on their carbon reduction paths.
Cummins, which is renowned for diesel engines powering everything from half-ton pickups to 400-ton mining trucks, is already developing an engine that can be configured to burn a variety of fuels.
This engine, known as the X10, is designed to burn diesel but can be converted to other fuels by changing the fuel and air intake components.
"Below the head gasket of each engine will largely have similar components and above the head gasket will have different components for different fuel types," the company said in a 2023 press release announcing the launch of the fuel agnostic engine.
Cummins' transition to cleaner burning fuels also includes a natural gas engine slated for launch in 2026 and a zero-emissions hydrogen internal combustion engine prototype being tested by the U.S.-based global power solutions leader.
Komatsu, a Japanese manufacturer of heavy equipment for mining and construction, is also pushing forward a "power-agnostic" approach to decarbonizing mine haulage. This includes an alliance with BHP, Rio Tinto, and Caterpillar to accelerate the deployment of battery-electric haul trucks, and a partnership with General Motors to power mining haul trucks with hydrogen fuel cells.
Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of ethanol, a biofuel typically made from corn.
The work to convert existing Vale trucks to a diesel-ethanol blend fits well with the pragmatic energy transition strategy of all three companies.
The transition to ethanol is also a practical fuel in Brazil, where many of Vale's mines are located. The South American country produced 8.7 billion gallons of ethanol during 2023, which accounts for nearly 30% of global production.
Vale says the conversion of its trucks to an ethanol blend under the partnership with Komatsu and Cummins will strengthen the biofuel industry in Brazil while also lowering CO2 emissions at its mines.
Over the next two years, the Dual Fuel Program project will involve the development, testing, and implementation of the new diesel ethanol engines manufactured by Cummins.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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