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Date submitted2023-10-31
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Date accepted2024-11-07
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Date published2025-01-24
Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
One of the priority areas of scientific research in Antarctica is the study of its deep structure. Most of the continent is covered with a thick ice sheet, so the main geoscientific data are acquired using geophysical methods, among which magnetotelluric (MT) ones have the greatest penetration depth and insignificant environmental impact. The possibility of acquiring high-quality MT data in the conditions of the sixth continent has long been questioned. The work is aimed at studying the specifics of magnetotelluric survey in Antarctica. The following tasks were set: to summarize the world experience of studying Antarctica using MT sounding methods; to identify factors that negatively affect the high-quality data acquisition; to determine methods for minimizing the influence of these factors. The article analyses geophysical studies conducted by the magnetotelluric sounding method in the Antarctic region from 1964 to the present. The application of the method is complicated by the following: extremely low temperature affects the drop in the batteries capacity, freezing of the non-polarizing electrodes solution, and changes in the strength properties of materials. Electromagnetic noise occurs during strong winds; proximity to the magnetotelluric field source can violate the plane wave principle on which the method is based. The ice sheet covering most of Antarctica does not allow acquiring optimal values of the contact resistance of the electrode grounding; the extended coastline distorts the acquired data. Studies of the influence of factors complicating the MT sounding method in the coastal and central parts of Antarctica made it possible to formulate recommendations for preparing equipment and adapting the work procedure, modifying the processing flow and a set of measures to ensure safety, the implementation of which will both allow safe performance of geophysical investigations and high-quality data acquisition.
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Date submitted2024-05-17
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Date accepted2024-10-14
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Date published2024-11-12
Black shales – an unconventional source of noble metals and rhenium
The content of noble metals and rhenium in the Lower Paleozoic black shales of the eastern Baltic paleobasin in Russia was estimated. Shales are enriched in platinoids (PGM to 0.12 g/t) and rhenium (to 1.54 g/t). The main accessory elements of noble metals and Re are U, V, Mo, Cu, and Ni. Black shales consist of organic (9-26 rel.%), clay (40-60 rel.%), and silt-sandy (25-50 rel.%) components and a nodule complex (2-5 rel.%) (carbonate, sulfide, phosphate and silicate nodules). Noble metals occur sporadically in the silt-sandy admixture as native forms and intermetallics: Aunat, Au-Ag, Au-Cu, Au-(Cu)-Hg, Au-Hg, Ag-Cu, Pt-Fe. Micromineral phases of noble metals were found in diagenetic sulfides: Aunat, chalcopyrite with Au admixture, pyrite with platinoid admixture. Clay fraction is 10-fold enriched in noble metals as compared to shale – to 0.28 g/t Au, 0.55 g/t Pt, 1.05 g/t Pd, and 1.56 g/t Re. Organic matter sorbs noble metals to a limited extent but accumulates rhenium. Pore space of black shales contains a colloidal salt component (submicron fraction) which is represented by particles smaller than 1,000 nm. The share of submicron fraction in black shales is 0.1-6 wt.%. The submicron fraction contains on average: PGM – 14 g/t, Au – 0.85 g/t, and Re – 4.62 g/t. The geochemical resource of noble metals (Au, Pt, Pd), Re and the accessory elements (U, V, Mo, Cu, and Ni) for black shales as a whole and their submicron fraction was estimated. Black shales are recommended as an integrated source of raw materials.
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Date submitted2024-03-30
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Date accepted2024-06-13
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Date published2024-07-04
Organotin pollutants in emerging coastal-marine sediments of the Kaliningrad shelf, Baltic Sea
Based on two years of monitoring of modern bottom sediments of two sections of the Kaliningrad shelf of the Baltic Sea – “Curonian Spit” and “Northern Sambian” – an assessment of the sources of pollution with organotin compounds (OTs) and heavy metals was carried out. The content of individual organotin compounds and OTCs spectra obtained by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry of relatively coarse-grained bottom sediments indicate the presence of organotins in significant quantities – the total OTs content (ΣOTs) is from 0.6 to 8.3 ng/g. However, the content of tributyltin (TBT), the main component of anti-fouling systems for marine vessels and the most dangerous endocrine-disrupting compound among the hazardous substances for marine ecosystems, is at a low level (0-2.3 ng/g) in all studied samples and has not increased over the two-year observation period (biodegradation index 1.7-12.4). At the same time, the presence of abnormally high concentrations of mono-, triphenyl- and tricyclohexyltin in the sediments of the ”Northern Sambian” site (up to 30, 7 and 6.4 ng/g, respectively) indicates an additional source of pollution of coastal waters and shelf sediments (for example, plastic litter and agricultural runoff). The absence of significant shipping in the study areas ensures a consistently low level of pollution with tributyltin and its derivatives (less than 0.3 and 2.3 ng/g of TBT in 2017 and less than 0.1 and 1.3 ng/g in 2018 for the sites “Curonian Spit” and “Northern Sambian”, respectively), which indicates the activity of the processes of TBT transformation and self-cleaning of sandy sediments. However, the identified trends and their predictive accuracy require long-term observation and monitoring of the sediment environment using data on the deep-water part of the shelf, enriched in clay and humus components.
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Date submitted2022-10-29
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-04-25
Assessment of rock massif sustainability in the area of the underground research laboratory (Nizhnekanskii Massif, Enisei site)
The study presents the results of the research on geodynamic and geological conditions of the Enisei site (Krasnoyarsk Krai), chosen for the construction of an underground research laboratory. The laboratory is being built at a depth of 500 m to assess the suitability of the rock mass for burying high-level radioactive waste. The rocks consist of weakly fractured gneisses, granites, and dikes of metadolerites. Field observations were conducted on bedrock outcrops. They included the determination of rock mass quality indicators, measurement of rock fracturing, and a rating classification of stability using N.Barton's method. GNSS observations were also made to monitor surface deformations. These data were used to develop a three-dimensional structural model, including lithology, fault disruptions, intrusive bodies, elastic-strength properties of rocks, and the sizes of zones influenced by faulting. It will serve as a basis for boundary conditions and the construction of three-dimensional variational models of stress-strain states, identifying zones of concentration of hazardous stresses, and planning in situ geomechanical experiments in underground mines of the laboratory. The obtained values of the modified QR index for the main types of rocks allowed their classification as stable and moderately stable, corresponding to strong and very strong rocks on Barton's scale and the massif rating according to geomechanical classification.
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Date submitted2022-09-05
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Date accepted2023-09-20
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Date published2024-04-25
Modeling the efficiency of seasonal cooling devices when changing the statistical distribution of weather conditions
The climatic factor of warming, which is evidenced by a significant number of scientists and research teams in Russia and the world, has a significant impact on the cryogenic state of permafrost soil, the preservation of which is one of the most common principles of construction in the North. The influence of projected climatic changes in planning up to 2050 on the efficiency of seasonal cooling devices, the principle of operation of which is based on seasonal soil freezing, is considered. The conducted modeling has shown that in a situation of stable climate, the preservation of the cryogenic state of permafrost soil is realized without the use of additional measures. With warming with a trend of 0.1 °C per year, seasonal cooling devices do not ensure the preservation of the current level of the cryogenic state of the soil and additional measures are required to increase their efficiency in the summer. In the case of more extreme warming with a rate of 0.25 °C per year, the modeling results show that seasonal cooling devices do not significantly affect the rate of soil thawing and the solution to the problem should be its complete replacement with systems with year-round action.
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Date submitted2023-08-16
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Date accepted2023-10-24
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Date published2023-10-27
Results of complex experimental studies at Vostok station in Antarctica
Scientific research in the area close to the Russian Antarctic station Vostok has been carried out since its founding on December 16, 1957. The relevance of work to study the region is steadily increasing, which is confirmed by the Strategy for the Development of Activities of the Russian Federation in the Antarctica until 2030. As part of the Strategy implementation, Saint Petersburg Mining University solves the comprehensive study issues of the Vostok station area, including the subglacial Lake Vostok, related to the development of modern technologies and technical means for drilling glaciers and underlying rocks, opening subglacial reservoirs, sampling water and bottom sediments, as well as carrying out comprehensive geological and geophysical research. For the successful implementation of the Strategy, at each stage of the work it is necessary to identify and develop interdisciplinary connections while complying with the requirements for minimizing the impact on the environment. During the season of the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition, the staff of the Mining University, along with the current research works , began research of the dynamic interactions between the forces of the Earth, from the deepest depths to the surface glacier. Drilling and research programs have been completed. The drilling program was implemented jointly with colleagues from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute at the drilling complex of the 5G well. The research program included: shallow seismic studies, core drilling of snow-firn strata, study of the snow-firn strata petrostructural features, studies of cuttings collection filters effectiveness when drilling snow-firn strata and the process of ice destruction in a reciprocating rotational method, bench testing of an acoustic scanner. As a result of drilling in 5G well at the depth range of 3453.37-3534.43 m, an ice core more than 1 million years old was obtained.
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Date submitted2021-05-08
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Date accepted2022-07-21
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Date published2023-12-25
Technologies of intensive development of potash seams by longwall faces at great depths: current problems, areas of improvement
- Authors:
- Vladimir P. Zubov
- Denis G. Sokol
The results of the analysis of practical experience in the development of potash seams using longwall mining systems at the mines of OAO “Belaruskali” are presented. Positive changes in the technical and economic indicators of mines and an increase in the safety of mining operations were noted with the introduction of resource-saving technologies without leaving the pillars between the excavation columns or with leaving the pillars between the columns with dimensions at which they are destroyed by mining pressure in the goaf. It is noted that the use of mechanized stoping complexes characterized by high energy capacity, combined with large depths of development, is the main reason for the temperature increase in longwalls to values exceeding the maximum permissible air temperature regulated by sanitary standards. Based on production studies, it was concluded that the temperature regime along the length of the longwall face is determined by the temperature of rocks in the developed longwall space, heat emissions from the equipment of the power train, and the temperature of the rock mass ahead of the longwall. The conclusion has been drawn about the feasibility of using developed technological schemes in deep mining conditions, which provide a reduction in longwall temperature by 6-9 °C or more through isolated ventilation of longwall and power trains, as well as heat exchange between the airflow entering the longwall and the rocks in the developed space.
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Date submitted2022-06-27
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2023-12-25
Analysis of the problems of high-quality drinking water extraction from underground water intakes on Vysotsky Island in the Vyborg district of the Leningrad region
This article presents the results of drilling, experimental filtration work and laboratory studies aimed at assessing the resources and quality of groundwater in the licensed area of Vysotsky Island located in the Leningrad region, in the Gulf of Finland in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents. Analysis of the results of hydrochemical studies and their comparison with data on water intakes in adjacent areas gives the right to conclude that it is possible to classify a hydrogeological unit as a different type of resource formation than those located in the surrounding areas. Groundwater in this area is confined to an unexplored deep fractured regional high-pressure zone. According to the received data, the explored water intake can be attributed to a unique groundwater deposit, which has an uncharacteristic composition of groundwater in the north of the Leningrad region, which may be due to the mixing of modern sediments and relict waters of the Baltic glacial lake. The stability of groundwater characteristics is confirmed by long-term monitoring.
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Date submitted2021-10-31
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Date accepted2023-03-02
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Date published2023-12-25
Improvement of technological schemes of mining of coal seams prone to spontaneous combustion and rock bumps
On the example of the Alardinskaya mine, the problem of underground mining of seams prone to spontaneous combustion and rock bumps in the conditions of the Kondomsky geological and economic region of the Kuznetsk coal basin is considered. The contradictions in the requirements of regulatory documents for the width of the inter-panel coal pillars in the mining of seams with longwalls in conditions of endogenous fire hazard and in the mining of seams that are dangerous due to geodynamical phenomena are discussed. These contradictions impede the safe mining of seams using traditionally used layouts with the danger of spontaneous combustion of coal and rock bumps. A mining-geomechanical model is presented, which is used for numerical three-dimensional simulation of the stress-strain state of a rock mass with various layouts for longwall panels using the finite element method. The results of the numerical analysis of the stress state of the rock mass immediately before the rock bump are presented, and the main factors that contributed to its occurrence during the mining of the seam are established. A dangerous degree of stress concentration in the coal seam near the leading diagonal entries is shown, especially in conditions of application of abutment pressure from the edge of panels’ gob. The analysis of the features of stress distribution in the inter-panel pillar at different widths is carried out. Recommendations for improving the layout for the development and mining of coal seams that are prone to spontaneous combustion and dangerous in terms of rock bumps in the conditions of Alardiskaya mine have been developed. The need for further studies of the influence of pillars for various purposes, formed during the mining of adjacent seams, on the stress-strain state of previously overmined and undermined seams is shown.
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Date submitted2022-11-11
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Date accepted2023-01-19
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Date published2023-12-25
Evaluation of the efficiency of sorbents for accidental oil spill response in the Arctic waters
The development and operation of new oil fields on the Arctic shelf increases the risks of oil spills, which require the use of oil spill response tools and materials that are efficient in harsh climatic conditions. The question of actual efficiency of sorbents for reducing the level of oil pollution in the conditions of the Arctic and subarctic waters is relevant. The work is aimed at a comparative study of the efficiency of sorbents of mineral and organic origin used by coastal enterprises in the Kola Bay as well as a sorbent based on chitin in model systems simulating real conditions in sea waters. The characteristics of sorption agents were determined applying ASTM F716-18 procedure. Sorption capacity was evaluated in respect of ARCO grade oil, diesel fuel and marine oil. The efficiency of sorbents was estimated in model systems “sea water – oil” at water temperature corresponding to the average annual surface temperature in the Barents Sea. Actual data on sorption capacity of commercial sorbents “Lessorb”, “Novosorb”, a sorbent based on vermiculite and chitin sorbent in relation to potential pollutants of waters were obtained. The dynamics of sea water saturation with oil products at –0.5 (±1) and 10 (±1) °С was determined. It is shown that at higher temperature the concentration of oil products in sea water column (in the presence of an oil film on the surface) is on average four times higher than at low temperature. Kinetic dependences were obtained that describe the content of oil products in water column and near-surface layer of sea water in the presence of the studied sorbents at 5 (±1) °C, corresponding to the average annual temperature in the Kola Bay of the Barents Sea. A method is proposed for evaluating the efficiency of sorbents from the values of regression coefficients characterizing the dependence of oil products content in sea water on the character of sorbent and duration of its action.
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Date submitted2022-06-28
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Date accepted2023-01-19
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Date published2023-02-27
Influence of mining rent on the efficiency of using natural potential: the paradox of plenty and its Russian specifics
- Authors:
- Arunas A. Lapinskas
The most powerful potential of Russia's natural resources is only partially realized, and determining the reasons for the insufficient efficiency of its use is a current research topic. The exploitation of mineral resources that bring mining rent (primarily oil and gas) gives rise to the so-called “paradox of plenty” (PP), which in some cases manifests itself as a significant slowdown in economic development. The purpose of the article is to clarify the signs, degree and forms of PP manifestation and related problems (“resource curse”, “oil curse”, etc.) in the Russian economy. Since the causes of these phenomena are usually associated with rent extraction and peculiarities of the institutional structure of the economy, the works of leading economists who support the theories of “rent-oriented behavior” and the role of public institutions in the process of the PP emergence were critically analyzed. To determine the signs and degree of PP manifestation and related problems, an analysis of determining the shares of oil and gas in the structure of exports, revenues from their sale in the federal budget, and oil and gas products in the structure of GDP, was made. It is concluded that there are no sufficient grounds for ascertaining clear signs of a “rent-oriented” Russian economy and a “resource curse”; important counteracting factors that refute the unambiguous conclusions about the high degree of PP impact on the Russian economy were identified. The author's interpretation of the role of public institutions, the factors of formation and forms of PP manifestation, the specifics of differential mining rent and its role in the formation of PP are proposed; options for solving problems generated by PP – directions for improving the tax system in the field of oil and gas, etc.; substantiation of the need to develop a strategic state program for diversifying the sectoral structure of the Russian economy; directions for adjusting economic policy in the field of oil and gas industry development, etc.
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Date submitted2022-04-29
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Date accepted2022-07-21
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Date published2022-11-10
Deep structure, tectonics and geodynamics of the Sea of Okhotsk region and structures of its folded frame
The use of the zonal-block model of the earth's crust for the construction of regional tectonic schemes and sections of the earth's crust based on a complex of geological and geophysical data makes it possible to consider the resulting maps and sections as tectonic models. The main elements of such models are blocks with an ancient continental base and interblock zones formed by complexes of island arcs, an accretionary prism, or oceanic crust. The developed geotectonic model of the Sea of Okhotsk region reflects the features of the deep structure, tectonics, and geodynamics. The Cimmerian Novosibirsk-Chukotka, Verkhoyansk-Kolyma, Kolyma-Omolon, and Amur folded regions and the Alpides of the Koryak-Kamchatka and Sakhalin-Sikhote-Alin folded regions are developed along the northern, western, and southern boundaries of the Sea of Okhotsk megablock with a continental crust type. From the east, the megablock is limited by oceanic basins and island arcs.
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Date submitted2022-03-22
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Date accepted2022-06-15
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Date published2022-07-26
Gold in biogenic apatites of the Baltic-Ladoga phosphorite basin
- Authors:
- Sergey B. Felitsyn
- Nadezhda A. Alfimova
The distribution of gold in biogenic apatites from the Ordovician deposits in the northwest of the East European Platform shows that the maximum concentration of gold in apatites is found within the Ladoga-Baltic suture zone. Gold mineralization has a superimposed character, which is confirmed by the dependence of the gold content on the size of apatite particles and a number of isotope geochemical systematics in biogenic apatites. Gold is present in the form of high fineness particles to 20 µm in size on the surface of biogenic apatite fragments (phosphate brachiopod shells and conodont elements) and is easily extracted. In 10 % of samples of biogenic apatites, the total content of rare earth elements is more than 1 wt.%.
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Date submitted2021-04-19
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Date accepted2022-05-25
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Date published2022-07-13
Development of the technology of stowing the developed space during mining
- Authors:
- Evgenii R. Kovalskii
- Kirill V. Gromtsev
An analysis of the world experience in the development of potash deposits shows that the main problems arising during their development are a high level of mineral losses, an increased risk of flooding of mine workings as a result of water-proof layer discontinuance and the development of emergency water inflows in the mined-out spaces. Reduction of potash ore losses can be achieved by using a long-pillar mining system, but this method is limited by the peculiarities of the geological structure of the potash deposits and the need to preserve the continuity of the water-proof layer during its underworking. The safety of underworking of the water-proof layer can be improved by using the stowing of the developed longwall space. However, the question of the influence of the stowing on the height of the zone of water supply cracks development remains little-studied. The world experience of stowing the developed spaces in the development of layers with long pillars is analyzed and the technology of placing the stowing masses, which can solve these problems, is proposed. The considered technology and the proposed solutions are supported by laboratory tests of stowing materials and mathematical modeling of deformation zones in the overlying rocks.
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Date submitted2021-07-05
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Date accepted2022-01-24
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Date published2022-04-29
Ensuring the excavation workings stability when developing excavation sites of flat-lying coal seams by three workings
- Authors:
- Oleg I. Kazanin
- Andrei A. Ilinets
On the basis of analysis of mining plans and field studies at mines of JSC SUEK-Kuzbass, it is shown that in conditions of increasing the size of excavation columns during the development of flat-lying coal seams the stress-strain state of the rock mass along the workings length changes significantly. The necessity of predicting the stress-strain state at the design stage of the workings timbering standards, as well as subsequent monitoring of the workings roof state and its changes in the mining operations using video endoscopes, is noted. The results of numerical studies of the stress-strain state of the rock mass during the development of excavation sites by three workings for various combinations of width of the pillars between the workings for mining-geological and mining-technical conditions of the “Taldinskaya-Zapadnaya-2” mine are provided. The stresses in the vicinity of the three workings are compared with the values obtained during the development of the excavation sites by double drift. A set of recommendations on the choice of the location of the workings, the width of pillars, timbering standards that ensure the stable condition of the workings throughout the entire service life at the minimal losses of coal in the pillars is presented.
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Date submitted2021-05-19
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Date accepted2022-04-07
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Date published2022-04-29
On the possibility of reducing man-made burden on benthic biotic communities when mining solid minerals using technical means of various designs
The paper analyses features of the species composition and diversity of biotic communities living within the ferromanganese nodule fields (the Clarion-Clipperton field), cobalt-manganese crusts (the Magellan Seamounts) and deep-sea polymetallic sulphides (the Ashadze-1, Ashadze-2, Logatchev and Krasnov fields) in the Russian exploration areas of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Prospects of mining solid minerals of the world’s oceans with the least possible damage to the marine ecosystems are considered that cover formation of the sediment plumes and roiling of significant volumes of water as a result of collecting the minerals as well as conservation of the hydrothermal fauna and microbiota, including in the impact zone of high temperature hydrothermal vents. Different concepts and layout options for deep-water mining complexes (the Indian and Japanese concepts as well as those of the Nautilus Minerals and Saint Petersburg Mining University) are examined with respect to their operational efficiency. The main types of mechanisms that are part of the complexes are identified and assessed based on the defined priorities that include the ecological aspect, i.e. the impact on the seabed environment; manufacturing and operating costs; and specific energy consumption, i.e. the technical and economic indicators. The presented morphological analysis gave grounds to justify the layout of a deep-sea minerals collecting unit, i.e. a device with suction chambers and a grip arm walking gear, selected based on the environmental key priority. Pilot experimental studies of physical and mechanical properties of cobalt-manganese crust samples were performed through application of bilateral axial force using spherical balls (indenters) and producing a rock strength passport to assess further results of the experimental studies. Experimental destructive tests of the cobalt-manganese crust by impact and cutting were carried out to determine the impact load and axial cutting force required for implementation of the collecting system that uses a clamshell-type effector with a built-in impactor.
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Date submitted2021-01-18
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Date accepted2021-05-21
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Date published2021-09-20
Improving the efficiency of the technology and organization of the longwall face move during the intensive flat-lying coal seams mining at the Kuzbass mines
The reasons for the lag of the indicators of the leading Russian coal mines engaged in the longwall mining of the flat-lying coal seams from similar foreign mines are considered. The analysis of the efficiency of the longwall face move operations at the JSC SUEK-Kuzbass mines was carried out. A significant excess of the planned deadlines for the longwall face move during the thick flat-lying seams mining, the reasons for the low efficiency of disassembling operations and the main directions for improving the technology of disassembling operations are revealed. The directions of ensuring the operational condition of the recovery room formed by the longwall face are considered. The recommended scheme of converged coal seams mining and a three-dimensional model of a rock mass to justify its parameters are presented. Numerical studies using the finite element method are performed. The results of modeling the stress-strain state of a rock mass in the vicinity of a recovery room formed under conditions of increased stresses from the boundary part of a previously mined overlying seam are shown. The main factors determining the possibility of ensuring the operational condition of the recovery rooms are established. It is shown that it is necessary to take into account the influence of the increased stresses zone when choosing timbering standards and organizing disassembling operations at a interbed thickness of 60 m or less. A sufficient distance from the gob of above- or undermined seams was determined to ensure the operational condition of the recovery room of 50 m, for the set-up room – 30 m. Recommendations are given for improving technology and organization of the longwall face move operations at the mines applied longwall mining of flat-lying coal seams with the formation of a recovery room by the longwall face.
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Date submitted2020-08-28
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Date accepted2020-12-16
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Date published2020-12-29
Metrological support of equipment for geophysical research
The article discusses the problems associated with metrological support of equipment for geophysical research, issues of ensuring the uniformity of well measurements, the creation of Russian standards for calibrating well equipment when determining the porosity coefficients and oil, gas, water saturation, determining the parameters of defects during well cementing and technical condition of casing strings and the water-oil-gas flow. The problems of creating full-fledged methods for measuring the parameters of oil and gas fields with conventional and hard-to-recover reserves have been investigated. The key directions of development of the Russian metrological support of geophysical well measurements were determined. The tasks that need to be solved to create metrological support for geophysical well logging as an industry that meet international standards are indicated. The expediency of creating a Russian Geophysical Center for Metrology and Certification, the need to develop a new and update the existing regulatory framework, which will allow Russian geophysics to reach the level of world leaders in the field of geophysical research, are substantiated.
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Date submitted2020-06-12
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Date accepted2020-10-28
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Date published2020-11-24
Spatial non-linearity of methane release dynamics in underground boreholes for sustainable mining
- Authors:
- Ada K. Dzhioeva
- Vladimir S. Brigida
The paper is devoted to the problem of increasing energy efficiency of coalmine methane utilization to provide sustainable development of geotechnologies in the context of transition to a clean resource-saving energy production. Its relevance results from the fact that the anthropogenic effect of coalmine methane emissions on the global climate change processes is 21 times higher than the impact of carbon dioxide. Suites of gassy coal seams and surrounding rocks should be classified as technogenic coal-gas deposits, while gas extracted from them should be treated as an alternative energy source. Existing practices and methods of controlling coalmine methane need to be improved, as the current “mine – longwall” concept does not fully take into account spatial and temporal specifics of production face advancement. Therefore, related issues are relevant for many areas of expertise, and especially so for green coal mining. The goal of this paper is to identify patterns that describe non-linear nature of methane release dynamics in the underground boreholes to provide sustainable development of geotechnologies due to quality improvement of the withdrawn methane-air mixture. For the first time in spatial-temporal studies (in the plane of CH 4 - S ) of methane concentration dynamics, according to the designed approach, the parameter of distance from the longwall ( L ) is introduced, which allows to create function space for the analyzed process (CH 4 of S-L ). Results of coalmine measurements are interpreted using the method of local polynomial regression (LOESS). The study is based on using non-linear variations of methane concentration in the underground boreholes and specific features of their implementation to perform vacuum pumping in the most productive areas of the undermined rock mass in order to maintain safe aerogas conditions of the extraction block during intensive mining of deep-lying gassy seams. Identification of patterns in the influence of situational geomechanical conditions of coal mining on the initiation of metastable gas-coal solution transformation and genesis of wave processes in the coal-rock mass allows to improve reliability of predicting methane release dynamics, as well as workflow manageability of mining operations. Presented results demonstrate that development of high-methane Donbass seams is associated with insufficient reliability of gas drainage system operation at distances over 40 m behind the longwall face. Obtained results confirm a working hypothesis about the presence of spatial migration of methane concentration waves in the underground gas drainage boreholes. It is necessary to continue research in the area of estimating deviation angles of “advance fracturing” zone boundaries from the face line direction. Practical significance of research results lies in the possibility to use them in the development of scientific foundation for 3D gas drainage of a man-made coal-methane reservoir, taking into account spatial and temporal advancement of the production face.
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Date submitted2020-05-17
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Date accepted2020-10-05
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Date published2020-11-24
Geological structure of the northern part of the Kara Shelf near the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago according to recent studies
Until recently, the North of the Kara Shelf was completely unexplored by seismic methods. Seismic and seismo-acoustic data that have appeared in recent years have made it possible to decipher features of the regional geological structure. This study solves the urgent problem of determining the prospects for the oil and gas potential of the North Kara sedimentary basin. The relevance of the research is associated with determining the prospects of the oil and gas potential of the North Kara sedimentary basin. The aim of the study is to clarify the age of the reflecting horizons using data on the geology of the island, as well as to determine the tectonic position of the sedimentary cover and basement structures in the north of the Kara shelf. The sedimentary cover is divided into three structural levels: Cambrian-Devonian, Middle Carboniferous-Cretaceous, Miocene-Quarter. The Cambrian-Devonian complex fills the deep troughs of the North Kara shelf. The most noticeable discontinuity is the base of Carboniferous-Permian rocks, lying on the eroded surface of folded Silurian-Devonian seismic complexes. The blanket-like plate part of the cover is composed of thin Carbon-Quarter complexes. The authors came to the conclusion that the fold structures of the Taimyr-Severozemelskiy fold belt gradually degenerate towards the Kara sedimentary basin and towards the continental slope of the Eurasian basin of the Arctic Ocean. A chain of narrow uplifts within the seabed relief, which correspond to narrow anticlines is traced to the West of the Severnaya Zemlya islands. Paleozoic rocks have subhorizontal bedding further to the West, within the Kara shelf. Mesozoic folding in the North of the Kara Sea is expressed exclusively in a weak activation of movements along faults. At the neotectonic stage, the shelf near Severnaya Zemlya was raised and the Mesozoic complexes were eroded. The modern seismic activity of the North Zemlya shelf is associated with the ongoing formation of the continental margin.
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Date submitted2020-02-19
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Date accepted2020-04-17
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Date published2020-10-08
Decrease in coal losses during mining of contiguous seams in the near-bottom part at Vorkuta deposit
- Authors:
- Oleg I. Kazanin
- Valeriy V. Yaroshenko
The problem of formation of extended zones with high rock pressure (HRP) from safety pillars at the boundaries of extraction pillars formed due to the mine layout of complex geometry is considered at the example of JSC Vorkutaugol mines. A detailed analysis of the remaining reserves of the near-bottom part of the deposit was carried out to estimate losses and the impact of HRP zones from the Chetvertyi protective seam to mining operations on the Troinoi upper seam along with the possibilities for the reduction of sizes of HRP zones at the account of expanding the underworked space. Due to research on the near-bottom part of the Vorkuta deposit, within the framework of the accepted layout, a zone at the Komsomolskaya mine and two zones at the Zapolyarnaya-2 mine were singled out, at which losses at the boundaries of the extraction pillars amount up to 13-22 % of the total resources of the mine field. The high volume of losses in these pillars indicates the relevance of research on the priority extraction impact of protective seams on the efficiency and safety of mining operations in the working area of underworked and HRP zones. Based on the analysis of foreign and Russian experience in the pillar cleaning-up at the boundaries of working areas and the methodical guidelines and instructions, a technological scheme was developed that allows increasing the coal mining recovery factor in the near-bottom part of the Vorkuta deposit from 0.75 to 0.9 without fundamental changing of the ventilation and transport networks and also without purchasing any additional mining equipment. The conducted economic calculations confirmed the effectiveness of implementing the new technological scheme for cleaning-up reserves at the boundaries of extraction districts. The economic effect is from 0.079 to1.381 billion rubles of additional profit from coaxial extraction pillars, depending on the mining and geological conditions and the size of the pillars.
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Date submitted2019-05-30
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Date accepted2019-09-04
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Date published2020-02-25
Prospects for industrial methane production in the mine n.a. V.M.Bazhanov using vertical surface wells
The estimated methane resources in the coal stratum of Donbass are 798.5 billion m 3 , including 119.5 billion m 3 in the Donetsk-Makeevsky area. Such significant potential implies that methane can be used not only for industrial production and energy purposes but also as a commodity for the chemical industry. However, in practice, commercial production of methane from coal seams, as is done in the fields of the USA, Canada, India, and China, is not carried out, and methane, obtained as a by-product, is utilized for ensuring the safety of the main technological processes for coal mining. The main reasons for this are the difficult mining and geological conditions of bedding, low thickness and permeability, which does not allow to separate methane production into an independent type of activity due to its low profitability, especially with the use of new technologies based on hydraulic fracturing of coal seams. The assessment of the possibility of industrial methane production in the mine n.a. V.M.Bazhanov in the Donetsk-Makeevsky area of Donbass, which reserves equal to 23.7 billion m 3 , showed that a significant part of the methane reserves is concentrated in coal seams and interlayers with a gas content of 18.5-20.7 m 3 /m 3 . Moreover, in the host rocks, methane is practically in a liberated state. This circumstance makes possible the commercial production of methane for its utilization from the unloaded rock mass by wells drilled from the surface, without the use of hydraulic fracturing technology. The paper discusses the technology of methane extraction by a degassing well drilled from the surface into a coal-bearing stratum unloaded from rock pressure in a mining field of the 4th eastern face of the m 3 seam of the mine n.a. V.M.Bazhanov and its subsequent use as the fuel of an electric generator. It is shown that over the entire period of operation of the pilot well, the volume of actually produced methane exceeded the design value by 23 %, and the cost of the gas produced amounted to 1535 rubles per 1000 m 3 , which is more than 3 times lower than the market price for natural gas for consumers in the Russian Federation. This made it possible to make a conclusion about the possibility of industrial extraction of mine methane using vertical surface wells for its subsequent utilization in power plants, which does not imply the usage of hydraulic fracturing technology.
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Date submitted2019-06-30
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Date accepted2019-09-10
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Date published2019-12-24
Industrial safety principles in coal mining
- Authors:
- E. N. Chemezov
The article provides a description of injuries in coal mining enterprises in Russia. The high injury rate causes the need of developing new effective ways and means of improving safety at mining enterprises. Recently in Russia there has been a tendency for a slight decrease in fatal injuries, which indicates some progress in prevention of industrial accidents. At the same time, the problem of improving the working conditions of coal miners, reducing the level of injuries and occupational diseases in this industry remains a very urgent task. Ensuring safe operation and industrial health and safety is not only reasonable economic policy but one of the constitutional human rights. At Russian coal mining enterprises, they take measures to reduce injuries, the supervisory authorities and employees of the enterprises carry out certain work to comply with safety requirements. However, significant success has not yet been achieved. Despite the fatal injuries and accidents, the issue of industrial mining safety is not becoming a top priority. Occupational safety measures are often financed on a «left-over» principle, and therefore remain not implemented. Many managers do not pay enough attention to safety issues and have little control over the planned activities in this area. The article analyzes the causes of injuries and proposes the key directions for creating normal working conditions in coal mining enterprises.
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Date submitted2019-07-07
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Date accepted2019-09-13
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Date published2019-12-24
Installation for experimental research of multiphase electromechanical systems
- Authors:
- V. M. Tereshkin
- D. A. Grishin
- I. A. Makulov
The subject of this study is an installation for experimental research designed to study the characteristics and control algorithms of multiphase motors with the number of working phases from 3 to 8, connected by a star, a triangle, or in another way, allowing phase currents to flow, creating a rotating electromagnetic field. The installation consists of two separate independent units: a controller, or a human-machine control interface, and a power inverter module (converter). The controller is connected to the converter by a two-wire half-duplex interface (RS485) via the Modbus RTU communication protocol. The installation also includes synchronous motors with the number of phases 3, 5, 7. Using the developed installation for experimental research, it is possible to carry out experimental studies of multiphase motors when implementing various control algorithms for a converter that implements pulse-width vector modulation. The time required to implement control algorithms is minimal. According to the results of the experiments, it is possible to carry out a comparative analysis of multiphase motors in terms of energy efficiency, in terms of vibration of electromagnetic origin, in dynamic parameters. An experimental assessment of the load of the converter keys is possible. The created installation is an effective tool for checking the reliability of the results of theoretical studies of electromechanical systems based on multiphase motors.
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Date submitted2017-12-28
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Date accepted2018-03-03
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Date published2018-06-22
Special features of a structure of technical operations for peat excavation with stage dewatering
- Authors:
- E. A. Kremcheev
A method of development of a technology of peat extraction for intensifying of dewatering which involves drying of peat raw materials in thick layers with a layer-by-layer harvesting into large-sized roll with further delivery to the field storage unit of the enlarged sizes is presented in the paper. Throughout the year storage raw materials may be transported to the customer or to the shopfloor for further processing. Considering dimension and mass characteristics, a crumbed peat of various moisture capacity is a major type of products to be of high demand. On the basis of the results of scientific studies regarding gravity dewatering of peat and its drying in field environment, the ways of intensifying of field dewatering of peat for extraction at shallow-peat lands and fine-limit fields are proposed. The presented results of the experimental performance of a technology of peat drying in thick layers with a layer-by-layer harvesting indicate an increase of seasonal harvesting and a decrease of the influence of unfavorable meteorological factors on the stability of the extraction process. Performed investigations allowed to develop a structure of technical operations for peat excavation with the stage dewatering in spreading and intermediate storage units providing rational state of the extraction process regarding a complex of technical factors. A suggested scheme of a process area for a primary and secondary period of deposit exploitation by a technology of peat excavation is considered.