A public/private consortium that included Sandia developed a 4-ton hydrogen fuel-cell-powered mining locomotive, which was successfully tested in early 2002. The vehicle, the first of its kind in the world, demonstrated that fuel cells offer a viable alternative to conventional power technologies for mining vehicles in terms of safety, performance, and productivity, but without the emissions or noise problems of some other alternatives.

Mining locomotives are built to pull underground ore cars and are typically operated using conventional power technologies, such as a tether, diesel, or battery. Each has drawbacks, including reduced mobility and productivity, low energy capacity, or high ventilation costs. In 1999, a three-year, international project commenced to develop a fuel cell powered locomotive.

In September 2002, the vehicle became the first hydrogen fuel-cell-powered locomotive to be operated underground, successfully pulling five loaded cars weighing 20 tons at Val d'Or, a former metal mine in Quebec maintained for mining experiments. Earlier that year, the mining industry gave the locomotive a "best of show" award at the Canada Mining Expo.

Sandia designed and built the locomotive's hydride storage system and "balance of plant," which includes the water cooling of the fuel cells, heating of the hydride bed, balance of air and hydrogen supply to the fuel cells, and the controls and safety systems. Sandia also was responsible for integration of all the subsystems.

The project, which involved nearly a dozen partners, was largely funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Video clips:

• First operation of the locomotive
• Shorter version

For more information and a project timeline visit
http://www.fuelcellpropulsion.org/mine_locomotive.htm

Project partners:

Contact:
Chris Moen
cmoen@sandia.gov
(925) 294-2140