Montana labor news., 1937-01-14
DIE5EN INVADE Mine.
LOCOMOTIVE FIELD

How Diesel engines have invaded
the mine-locomotive field in Ger
many, Belgium and France and are
now on trial in Great Britain is de-
scribed in a Report of investigations
by George S. Rice, Chief Mining En-
gineer, and F. E. Harris, just pub
lished by the United States Bureau
of Mines, Department of the Interior.
Mr.. Rice visited German mines in
1881 and was impressed with the
possibilities of Diesel mine locomo-
tives, which had been first intro
duced in 1927. In 1888 the Bureau
of Mines contemplated their possible
introduction in the mines of the
United States, if they could pass its
tests, and SO indicated by issuing one
of its recommendatory decisions.
Mines in the four countries named
above were again visited in 1885.
Rides in trips behind the locomotives
and conferences with directors of the
official testing stations and with
mine operators confirmed earlier ia
vorable impressions.
Two advantages for Diesel mine
locomotives yer other kinds are
claimed by the German, French and
Belgian engineers-greater safety
and much less cost of haulage.
The fuel oil used requires a high
temperature for ignition and the
combustion takes place only with a
high percentage of oxygen present.
An essential feature of the design
is prevention of flames, that under
some abnormal conditions might pass
out of the exhaust or out of the in
take passages. This is accomplished
by piles" of thin metal plates with
small spaces between, similar to
flame arresters employed in Euro
pean electric motors.
The exhaust also passes through
water or water sprays to prevent
smoke or sparks from passing out
into the roadway. Such devices are
not employed in the ordinary Diesel
engines used for trucks, buses and
railway locomotives.
Production of carbon monoxide by
gasoline locomotives and the hazards
of a highly volatile gasoline caused
the abandonment 20 years ago OF
that kind of mine locomotive. In fact,
most mining states forbid their use
in mines as being dangerous to life
in underground passages and hazard
GUS because Of fires and explosions
of the gasoline.
Diesel locomotives on the contrary
as indicated by theoretical consider
atoms and shown by test in Euro
pean countries, do not produce car
bon monoxide in percentages affect
ing health, and the fuel oil used is M
more inflammable than high-gradt
lubricating oil used for oiling car
and machinery in mines. In tria
trips taken by Mr.. Rice behind these
locomotives in European mines, ;
slight odor from the burning fue
was noticed at first, but, this was no
unpleasant and soon was no Longer
noticeable.
The fuel oil now used in Diese
engines is a petroleum product, bu
there is every expectation in Ger
many France and England, tina
chemists will be able to derive /;
suitable fuel oil from coal distil
lates.
The authors suggest that the ia
vorable reports from European coun,
tries as to the safety of Diesel mine
locomotives for use even in gassy
coal mines and as to their economy
in haulage will probably stimulat,
in this country the manufacture o
types suited to the special condi
tons that exist in both metal ant
coal mines. It is probable, however
that before there is a general adop
ton Of them mine operators ant
State mining officials will requir,
manufacturers to submit their diff
ferent Diesel locomotives for officia
State approval, which would involv'
their being tested for permissible
ity" by the United States Bureau 0
Mines.
The results of this study are givel
in Report of Investigations 1920
Diesel Mine Locomotives-Develop
ment and Use in European Coal
Mines" copies of which may be OBJ
tanned free of charge from the U. S
Bureau of Mines, Department of tn
Interior, Washington, D. c.