Petrol Locomotives Underground.

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 8, 1 June 1909, Page 271

Petrol Locomotives Underground.

To the lay mind it seems strange to read about petrol engines hauling coal in coal mines. It is a fact, nevertheless, that science has managed to overcome the great risk presented by such inflammable material in connection with such an atmosphere. In the mines of Westphalia benzine or petrol locomotives are in constant use in the coal mines. At Dortmund, for instance, 16,562 tons out of a total output of 94,145 tons — that is, above 17.5 per cent, of the whole production — have been drawn by petrol locomotives underground. Of the rest of the output, 63.5 per cent, was drawn by endless rope haulage, 15.75 per cent, by electric locomotives on the trolly system, smaller quantities were dealt with by electric locomotives with accumulators or by endless Chain, and the least, amounting to about y<i per cent., by the main and tail system of haulage. The locomotives used for the underground traction with petrol do not differ essentially from those in ordinary use, the chief characteristics in connection with them being the nice arrangement of the different parts to accommodate from 8 to 16 h.p. in a very restricted area, and the precautionary devices introduced to provide for security against the risk of explosion in handling and in the use of these highly inflammable and volatile liquids, and in the disposal of the products of their combustion. In the early stages the charging of the petrol locomotive was effected by means of oil-tight tanks fitted with adequately protected orifices, which were filled above ground and sent below to be attached to the locomotives, but the leakage of the connections proved a prohibitive obstacle to this arrangement. Sending the locomotive to the surface in the cage to be filled was next contemplated, but as it would have necessitated even a still more cramped construction in the engine that idea was abandoned, and therefore attention was directed to making special arrangements for charging below ground.