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Date submitted2024-10-29
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Date accepted2024-10-29
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Date published2024-11-12
Study of thermodynamic processes of the Earth from the position of the genesis of hydrocarbons at great depths
In the context of significant depletion of traditional proven oil reserves in the Russian Federation and the inevitability of searching for new directions of study and expansion of the raw material base of hydrocarbon raw materials in hard-to-reach regions and on the Arctic shelf, a scientific search is underway for accumulations in complex geological conditions and in manifestations that differ significantly from traditional ones, which include the processes of oil and gas formation and preservation of oil and gas in low-permeability “shale” strata and in heterogeneous reservoirs at great and super-great depths. Within the oil and gas provinces of the world, drilling of a number of deep and super-deep wells has revealed deposits at great depths, established connections between hydrocarbon deposits and “traces” of hydrocarbon migration left in the core of deep wells, which has made it possible to significantly re-evaluate theoretical ideas on the issue of oil and gas formation conditions and the search for technologies aimed at solving applied problems. Modern geochemical, chromatographic, bituminological, coal petrographic and pyrolytic methods of studying oil and bitumoids extracted from the host rocks of deep well cores give a hope for identifying correlations in the oil-source system, revealing processes that determine the possibility of hydrocarbon formation and accumulation, and defining predictive criteria for oil and gas potential at great depths.
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Date submitted2022-05-20
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Date accepted2023-04-03
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Date published2024-02-29
Impact of carbon dioxide on the main geotechnical quality criteria and preparation cost of cemented paste backfill
There is a global upsurge in the use of cemented paste backfill (CPB) for various mining functions. However, the cost of the Portland cement binder is prohibitive, thus warranting strategies to reduce cement usage without overly diminishing the CPB quality. Since carbon dioxide is used for patented sand moulding processes, this study is premised on that physicochemical ability of CO2 to enhance the curing of consolidated inorganic materials. It evaluated the impact of carbon dioxide on the uniaxial compressive strength UCS and preparation cost of CPB standard samples (ASTM C109). The preparation cost was delimited to the purchase cost of the Portland cement. The backfill material was silica sand tailings with 4.5 wt.% Portland cement binder and a water-cement ratio of 7.6. Distilled water of pH 5.4 was used for the control samples while variable amounts of carbon dioxide were dissolved in distilled water to generate carbonated mixing water with pH values of 3.8; 4 and 4.2. The lower the carbonated water pH, the higher is the CO2 concentration. UCS tests were conducted on the samples after curing for 3, 7, 28, and 90 days. There was an observable increase in the UCSs and reduction in curing time with increasing carbon dioxide. Samples prepared with carbonated water of pH 3.8 had almost double the strength of those prepared with pure distilled water of pH 5.4, implying that more dissolved CO2 corresponds to higher CPB strength. This is supported by the trendline equations for the graphical simulation of strength on curing time. Thus, CPB with much less binder can be expected to attain the requisite UCS if carbon dioxide is incorporated. The average reduction in Portland cement consumption was 0.61 %, which translates to a cost saving of the same percentage points. If calculated over the operational life of a mine, this is a massive saving of millions of dollars.
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Date submitted2022-03-14
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Date accepted2022-05-13
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Date published2022-07-26
Unique titanium Deposits of Timan: genesis and age issues
The article critically analysesthe hypotheses about the formation, age, and sources of material of large Timan titanium deposits, which were previously considered ancient buried placers formed along the weathering crusts of the Riphean shales. We discuss an alternative hydrothermal-metamorphic hypothesis about the formation of these deposits and the source of ore material. It is established that the incoming zircon of different ages (570-3200 Ma), as well as two other geochronometers, rutile and monazite, underwent a thermal effect common for all varieties as a result of a hydrothermal process about 600 Ma ago. According to modern concepts, the closing temperature of the U-Pb system in rutile exceeds 500 °С, which suggests high-temperature conditions for the hydrothermal processing of rutile during the formation of the considered deposits in the Riphean.
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Date submitted2021-03-11
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Date accepted2021-05-21
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Date published2021-09-20
The influence of solar energy on the development of the mining industry in the Republic of Cuba
Cuba is traditionally considered a country with an underdeveloped industry. The share of the mining and metallurgical industries in the gross industrial production of the republic is small – about 3 % of GDP. The development of deposits and the extraction of nickel ores is an important sector of the economy of the Republic of Cuba, since the largest reserves of nickel and cobalt on the North American continent are located on the territory of the country. The development of the country energy system can serve as a growth factor in this sector of the economy. Due to climatic features and impossibility of integrating new capacities into the energy system through the construction of hydroelectric power plants, solar energy is a promising direction. Determining the feasibility of using solar tracking systems to increase the generation of electricity from solar power plants is one of the main challenges faced by engineers and renewable energy specialists. Currently, there are no solar tracking systems in Cuba that can provide information to assess the effectiveness of this technology in the country. The lack of the necessary technologies, as well as the high cost of developing solar power plants with tracking systems, limit the widespread introduction of such complexes. Hence follows the task of creating an inexpensive experimental model that allows assessing the effectiveness of tracking systems in specific weather conditions of the Republic of Cuba. This model will allow in future to increase the efficiency of electrical complexes with solar power plants, which provide power supply to the objects of the mineral resource complex and other regions.
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Date submitted2021-03-12
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Date accepted2021-04-12
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Date published2021-06-24
Increasing the efficiency of phosphate ore processing using flotation method
The paper presents flotation of two phosphate ore samples of different origin. Statistical analysis was used to study the effect of operating parameters on flotation efficiency. The paper proposes to increase the efficiency of flotation processing of magmatic phosphate ore with a low grade of the valuable component (P 2 O 5 = 10.88 %), containing nepheline and feldspars, by means of direct anionic flotation. Authors present an optimization of anionic flotation using tall oil fatty acids mixed with anionic phospholane as an anionic collector. The effect of adding soda ash to compensate for the influence of calcium cations on technological parameters of P 2 O 5 flotation was examined. The results of studying the flotation of nepheline ore (flotation tailings of magmatic phosphate ore) showed that replacement of phospholane with oxyethylated isotridecanol allowed to obtain a high-quality concentrate. It was estimated that with the addition of Na 2 CO 3 in the amount of 2,000 g/t, a concentrate was obtained with the grade and recovery of phosphorus pentoxide equal to 39.15 and 94.19 %, respectively. The paper proposes to increase the efficiency of flotation processing of sedimentary phosphate ore with a low grade of the valuable component (P 2 O 5 = 22.5 %), containing gypsum and quartz, by means of desliming followed by anionic or cationic reverse flotation. Tall oil fatty acid with anionic phospholane was used as a collector in anionic reverse flotation, and amine was used in cationic reverse flotation. Sodium tripolyphosphate was used as a P 2 O 5 depressant. It was found to be an effective depressant in both anionic and cationic flotation. When analyzing the statistical plan, it was estimated that the maximum grade of the valuable component in the concentrate (P 2 O 5 = 31.23 %) and the recovery to concentrate of 95.22 % were obtained in the chamber product at amine consumption of 950.88 g/t and sodium tripolyphosphate consumption of 500 g/t.
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Date submitted2020-05-13
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Date accepted2020-06-24
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Date published2020-10-08
Barriers to implementation of hydrogen initiatives in the context of global energy sustainable development
Modern trends in the global energy market linked to the Sustainable Development Goals often lead to the adoption of political decisions with little basis in fact. Stepping up the development of renewable energy sources is an economically questionable but necessary step in terms of its social and ecological effects. However, subsequent development of hydrogen infrastructure is, at the very least, a dangerous initiative. In connection with mentioned above, an attempt to examine hydrogen by conducting an integral assessment of its characteristics has been made in this article. As a result of the research conducted, the following conclusions concerning the potential of the widespread implementation of hydrogen in the power generation sector have been made: as a chemical element, it harms steel structures, which significantly impedes the selection of suitable materials; its physical and volume characteristics decrease the general efficiency of the energy system compared to similar hydrocarbon solutions; the hydrogen economy does not have the necessary foundation in terms of both physical infrastructure and market regulation mechanisms; the emergence of widely available hydrogen poses a danger for society due to its high combustibility. Following the results of the study, it was concluded that the existing pilot hydrogen projects are positive yet not scalable solutions for the power generation sector due to the lack of available technologies to construct large-scale and geographically distributed infrastructure and adequate international system of industry regulation. Thus, under current conditions, the risks of implementing such projects considerably exceed their potential ecological benefits.
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Date submitted2020-03-20
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Date accepted2020-05-24
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Date published2020-06-30
Landscape monitoring studies of the North Caucasian geochemical province
The data on the geochemical features of the bedrocks and soils of the province are given. Considerable attention is paid to regional abundances, as well as enrichment and dispersion factors of the chemical elements in landscapes. Using the example of the North Caucasus, it is shown that for such indicators as phytomass, geological, geomorphological, and geobotanical features, it is possible to make a preliminary outlining of regional structures corresponding to geochemical provinces. At the same time, a subsequent geochemical study of these structures remains mandatory. Upon determining certain geochemical associations, geochemical provinces can be basically distinguished; to a large extent, geochemical properties of these accumulated and scattered associations of elements contribute to the regional soil geochemistry. The results of long-term monitoring studies of the North Caucasus geochemical province have shown that the key features of the regional landscapes are due to the composition of bedrock and the presence of a large number of ore deposits and occurrences. The data obtained are the basis for assessing the state of the environment in conditions of increasing anthropogenic impact, and the established regional abundances can be used to assess the degree of pollution in agricultural, residential, and mining landscapes.
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Date submitted2020-06-14
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Date accepted2020-06-14
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Date published2020-06-30
Geochemical approach in assessing the technogenic impact on soils
- Authors:
- Galina I. Sarapulova
The soil assessment was carried out in the technogenically-affected area of Irkutsk Oblast with the geochemical approach as a key geoecological method using physical and chemical techniques of analysis and ecodiagnostics. Diagnostic signs of the disturbed natural properties of the soil were revealed up to a depth of 40 cm in the profile based on macro- and micromorphometric parameters. The content of heavy metals (HM) – Pb, Zn, Hg, and Cu with an excess of standards was determined, and empirical HM – pH correlations were obtained by statistical clustering of the data array. The contributions of additional factors affecting the chemical element distribution in the soil layer were investigated. Significant soil contamination with sulfates and the possibility of implementing the ion-exchange of HM andfor element immobilization were revealed. It was shown that reactions with sulfates and the influence of pH, HM exchange processes involving mobile K and P can determine the nature of the described chemical element distribution in the multi-factor-contaminated technogenic soil. However, the effectiveness of such types of interaction is different for each metal and also depends on the quantitative ratio of substances and soil characteristics, even under a minor change in pH. Two-parameter correlations of HM distribution in sulfate-contaminated soils confirmed the different degrees of involvement of chemical elements in these types of interactions. The results obtained and the identified factors are of applied significance and can be used as the basis for geoecological differentiation of the contaminated soil, as well as for determining local geochemical fields in the technogenesis zone. Areas of advanced research are related to three-dimensional modeling for a more complete study of the cause-and-effect relationships of geochemical parameters.
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Date submitted2018-01-14
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Date accepted2018-03-08
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Date published2018-06-22
Development of research of low-dimension metal-containing systems from P.P. Weymarn to our days
- Authors:
- I. V. Pleskunov
- A. G. Syrkov
The article analyzes main laws discovered by P.P.Weymarn (1879-1935) during his work at the Saint-Petersburg Mining University, they are connected with obtaining metal-containing disperse substances with nanometer particle size. It enlists priority papers in this field (1906-1915) and describes peculiarities of P.P.Weymarn scientific school which has several connections to modern research being conducted at the Saint-Petersburg Mining University in the field of «nanotechnology» as well as by foreign scientists. The paper reveals continuity in the field of several objects (disperse metals) and the methodology of studying the properties and stoichiometry of substances depending on dispersity. It provides information on achievements in synthesis of surface nanostructured metals and low-dimension forms of substances in various porous matrixes. Among the studies of the XXI century developing Weymarn’s ideas there can be noted solid-state hydride synthesis of metals, layering of different-sized molecules of ammonium compounds on metals (Al, Cu, Ni, Fe), as well as synthesis of metal nanostructures (Ag, Cu, Bi) using porous glass as a particle size stabilizing matrix. In the latter case, the dispersity of the metal increases while its melting point decreases.
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Date submitted2016-11-18
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Date accepted2016-12-28
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Date published2017-04-14
Frequency electromagnetic sounding with industrial power lines on Karelia-Kola geotraverse
The paper describes theory, method and first experimental results of research on the interaction between electromagnetic waves of extremely low and ultra low frequency (0.1-200 Hz), the Earth crust and ionosphere in the field of two mutually orthogonal industrial power lines, 109 and 120 km long, in the course of FENICS experiment (Fennoscandian Electrical conductivity from Natural and Induction Control Source soundings). The main focus was on the observation results along the line of Karelia-Kola geotraverse over a distance of 700 km from the source. High horizontal homogeneity of geoelectrical lithosphere section has been detected in the eastern part of the Baltic shield at depth range from 10-15 to 50-70 km. Parameters of «regular» lithosphere section have been specified to the depth of 60-70 km. As a result of inverse problem solution for the western part of Karelia and Central Finland, a zone of decreased transverse resistivity has been detected at the depth of 50-60 km, corresponding to the area, detected by seismic methods, where Moho boundary reaches the same depth.
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Date submitted2014-07-20
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Date accepted2014-09-18
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Date published2014-12-22
Use оf renewable energy sources in the coal industry
- Authors:
- A. V. Limanskii
- M. A. Vasileva
There are three fundamental basic documents in energy conservation and energy efficiency today: the Energy Strategy in the period up to 2030; the Federal Law «On energy-saving and energy efficiency and in amending particular legislative acts of the Russian Federation»; and the State Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Program in the period up to 2020. In recent years, the upward trend in the use of renewable energy sources (RES) is becoming all the more evident. Until recently, the development of energy has seen a clear pattern: the areas of energy which have developed most are those which have a quite fast direct economic effect. The social and environmental impacts associated with these areas were considered only as incidental, and their role in decision-making was negligible. With this approach, we considered RES only as a future energy source, when traditional energy sources have been exhausted, or when obtaining them becomes extremely expensive and timeconsuming. The primary driver behind the intensive development of RES has been public pressure based on environmental concerns, rather than economic calculations about the future. The economic potential of the world’s renewable energy is currently estimated at 20 billion tons of oil equivalent per year, which is twice the annual output of all fossil fuels. This fact shows us the path of energy development in the near future. In this paper, on the basis of the laws of the Russian Federation, renewable energy in the coal industry is considered. We describe the experience and prospects of the use of mine water and burning rock dumps.
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Date submitted2008-10-19
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Date accepted2008-12-21
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Date published2009-12-11
Modern problems in regional monitoring оf underground waters
- Authors:
- V. A. Kiryukhin
- L. P. Norova
The new situation with the carrying out of monitoring of underground waters on regional level was mainly caused by two reasons: 1) new regulations on the preservation of the environment were approved; the present water Regulations are being renewed; 2) studying of regime-forming factors of underground waters (geological, cosmic, climatic, biological, hydrological and technogenic) testify to the urgent necessity of introducing certain amendments into the system and maintainance of monitoring of underground waters.
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Date submitted1952-07-08
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Date accepted1952-09-05
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Date published1953-01-01
Mineral springs of South-Eastern Transbaikalia
- Authors:
- N. I. Tolstikhin
- N. A. Marinov
In Soviet times, numerous geological, exploration, hydrogeological and other parties working in South-Eastern Transbaikalia described many mineral springs. Some of them are of great interest both in their original composition and in the conditions of the release and formation of mineral waters. This brief review is intended to familiarize the reader with this new data on the mineral waters of South-Eastern Transbaikalia. Klinsky mineral spring (Klinovsky mineral spring). Mineral water comes out at the base of the slope of the right ravine of the Klin River valley 1 km north of the settlement of Klin. This slope of the ravine faces the southeast. Jurassic and Quaternary sedimentary deposits, as well as igneous rocks, participate in the geological structure of the spring's vicinity. The section of the Upper and Middle, and partly the Lower Jurassic, is presented schematically (from top to bottom).