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TYPES OF LOCOMOTIVE HAULAGE IN UNDERGROUND MINES


TYPES OF LOCOMOTIVE HAULAGE ARE :-

1)Diesel locomotive.
2)Electric locomotive:-
a)Over head wire locomotive.
b)Trolley wire locomotive.
3)Electric battery locomotive.
4)Compressed air locomotive.



DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE
This are commonly used in number of mines.
There weight ranges from 3 tone to 15 tone and the power from 15 KW to 75 KW.
The power unit is a diesel engine with 2,3 or 4 cylinders of 4 stroke cycle, compressed ignition type.
Heavy duty locos are of six cylinders.
Locos used in underground coal mines have the power unit in a flame proof enclosure as a safeguard against ignition of fire damp.
In the coal mines diesel locomotives are not allowed  to be used where the percentage of inflammable gases is more than 1.25% in the general body of the air.
Hence these are generally used in intake roadways.
The exhaust of the diesel engine includes oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide & small quantities of oxides of Sulfur & nitrogen and other aldehydes. Which smell badly & causes  irritation of nose, throat & eyes.
To remove these oxides & aldehydes the locomotives are fitted with exhaust conditioner.


ADVANTAGES OF DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES
Cheaper & completely self-controlled.
Higher speed.

DISADVANTAGES OF DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES
Danger of fire in handling the diesel.
Production of poisonous gases.
Adds heats to the atmosphere.
More maintenance required.



ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES.
The electric locomotives is equipped with an electric motor which draws the current from the overhead wire through a panto graph or through a long pole, which is  kept pressed against the overhead conductor by the spring.
The DC supply to overhead wires is 250 volts.
These locomotives may be used in degree I gassy mines.

The overhead wires are suspended through insulators over the track at a height more than 2 meter.

ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES
It is More reliable.
Light weight.
Electric locos has Less maintenance.
Electric locos are Good to control.
It is Small in size.
No exhaust gases from electric locomotives.

DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES
High initial investment.
Danger of shock & fire.
Derailment is major problem.




ELECTRIC BATTERY LOCOMOTIVE
The power unit of electric battery locomotives is a DC electric motor receiving its current from a storage battery carried in a casing on the upper part of the chassis.

Such locomotives are for light and medium duties as they are generally less powerful than diesel Or trolley wire locomotives, through battery locos of even 13 tones weight are available in the country.

Range of battery  locomotives is from 4 to 70 KW continuous rating.

The battery locomotive is relatively quiet in operation and produces no objectionable fumes.

Compared with diesel locomotives it generates much less heat. 

An important advantage of battery locomotives is  that it can meet an appreciable over load of short duration.

The battery constitutes a major portion (nearly 60%) of the weight of the locomotive.

Usually, there are two batteries on loco. 

The batteries are of lead acid type and each battery consists of a number varying from 40-70.

The battery cannot be made flameproof and its container has to be well ventilated.

A fully charged battery gives service for nearly  8 hours i.e. one shift of regular traction duty.

At the end of the shift, the battery has to be placed on a charging rack and it takes nearly 8 hours to fully charge.

It should be borne in the mind that a fully charged battery  can be discharged in few hours only by overload or miss-use.

 But, to replenish the charge, it takes nearly 8 hours.

 The direct current for charging at the station may be available from a motor generator set or by the use of mercury are rectifier.

The latter has the advantage that it has no moving or rubbing parts.

The battery charging station should be close to an intake airway.


ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC BATTERY LOCOMOTIVES
It is independent of an outside source of fuel and thus can travel an where where tracks are laid.
It can also work where ventilation problem. 
They are easy to inspect and repair

DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC BATTERY LOCOMOTIVES
Low power to weight ratio Battery locomotive.
Spare batteries must be provided and replaced every 3-5 year.


COMPRESSED AIR LOCOMOTIVES
There are no compressed air locomotives in Indian coal mines. 

The source of power used in air locomotive is compressed air cylinder, installed over the locomotive.

This cylinder supplies the required quantity of compressed air to the locomotive.

These locomotives are very safe, reliable & very useful in hot & deep mines.

Even through their working cost is very low, they are not used in Indian coal mines due to their high cost of installation.

These locomotives are used for light duty work only.


ADVANTAGES OF COMPRESSED AIR LOCOMOTIVES
Probable safest of all types of locos. 
Very reliable and easy to maintain 
The cost per ton is very little. 
The compressed air has cooling effect.

DISADVANTAGES OF COMPRESSED AIR LOCOMOTIVES
Its own compressor that required daily inspection and maintenance Compressed air . 
It requires armored plated pipe lines receiver and special valves.
A filling station is required on each main or section.
Efficiency is less.
Driving cost is high. 






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