Control of hydrogen ConCentration in the power supply and Control systems of a mining battery loComotive with energy reCuperation applied

摘要

Better effiCienCy of mining maChines is one of the major objeCtives pursued by developers, manufaCturers and users, as it refers direCtly to funCtional and eConomiC aspeCts of these maChines exploitation. In the Case of mining battery loComotives, an important faCtor to raise their working effiCienCy is the ability of their eleCtriCal system to reCuperate energy. Modern power and eleCtroniC systems have high effiCienCy and are able to reCuperate energy in a wide range. However, there is an issue about the struCture of the power supply sourCe, i.e. batteries. Mining battery loComotives are powered by batteries made of lead-aCid Cells whiCh emit hydrogen in the proCess of eleCtriC braking (energy reCuperation). This hydrogen, in Certain ConCentrations, beComes an explosive gas. The issue of seCure appliCation of lead-aCid Cells inspired the Institute of Mining TeChnology KOMAG to launCh researCh aimed at the identifiCation of the ConCentration of hydrogen emitted by the batteries during the loComotive operations in real Conditions. The paper features a method of the researCh and its results. Additionally, the possibilities were presented how to provide effeCtive energy reCuperation with monitoring safe values of hydrogen ConCentration.