Benchmarking Energy Consumption of Truck Haulage

Abstract

Haul trucks are used for material handling in most surface mines and consume about 32% of the total energy usage in mines that use them. This chapter deals with benchmarking approaches applicable to haul truck operation in mines. The specific fuel consumption (SFC) is used as the energy performance index for benchmarking energy consumption of haul trucks. Benchmarking using a statistical approach estimates the minimum SFC based on the comparison of past aggregate time series data and disaggregate data on fuel consumption and the production rate of haul trucks. A model-based approach calculates the minimum SFC using a mathematical model derived from vehicle dynamics, mass balance, and engine and mine characteristics. This chapter presents an analysis of two case studies of haul trucks operations at different surface mines (coal and limestone) to illustrate the benchmarking methods. The studies revealed that benchmarking of energy consumption in haul trucks using the model-based approach is appropriate for setting the fuel consumption target in an opencast mine and assess the fuel saving potential. The model-based approach results in minimum SFC of 89 g/t and fuel saving potential of 17% for multiple haul trucks operating in a limestone mine. The model-based approach shows a direction for setting rational targets for fuel consumption in haul trucks and result in more energy efficient mines.