Scholarly record
EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF HYBRID SWING SYSTEMS IN QUARRYING ACTIVITIES: A COMPARATIVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS
Abstract
The extractive industry is currently undergoing a transition toward operating models with reduced environmental impact and enhanced energy efficiency. This study aims to evaluate, through empirical data, the efficiency of an excavator equipped with a hybrid swing system compared to a conventional diesel-powered unit of the same class and performance level. The methodology involved a systematic monitoring period of 65 working days. To ensure a rigorous comparison, two crawler excavators in the 36-tonne class were deployed at the same quarry site, performing identical loading tasks. To eliminate external variables related to operator behavior, both machines were operated by the same individual, thereby isolating the machines’ technological performance as the sole differentiating factor. The results demonstrate that hybrid technology yields a 12% fuel saving compared to the traditional model. This finding confirms the effectiveness of electric energy storage systems in recovering kinetic energy during the swing deceleration phases and reusing it during acceleration. The study illustrates how the adoption of hybrid machinery represents a viable solution for optimizing operating expenses and improving the overall sustainability of production processes in the mining sector.
Publication details
References12
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