The application of hydrogen fuel cells represents an important opportunity for the mining industry to resolve pressing issues such as underground air quality, green house gas emissions and cost savings. This article presents the development of two conventional fuel cell underground mining vehicles, a production locomotive and a production loader, emphasizing power plant functions and the types and roles of the related controllers. Complex functions related to fuel cell electricity delivery and heat management, metal hydride storage and release of hydrogen, air and water supply to fuel cells, are being controlled in real time vehicle use by a powerful and accurate control system. The central components are Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) linked to a Direct Logic PLC using a high communication rate protocol. The power plant and safety sensor information is transmitted on-line to an operator interface. The system controls alarms, interlock settings and shut-down.
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