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Date submitted2023-10-28
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Date accepted2024-11-07
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Date published2025-02-25
Radiation characteristics of coals at different stages of metamorphism
The formation of deposits and subsequent metamorphic processes that affect concentrations of radioactive elements in coal can indicate ongoing geological activities, therefore, analyzing trends in the radiation characteristics of coal throughout the metamorphic series is highly relevant. The aim of this work is to experimentally evaluate the radiation characteristics of different coal ranks (metamorphic stages) using thermoluminescent (TL) dosimetry and beta activity measurements, and to identify correlations between these radiation characteristics and data obtained from technical, elemental, and thermogravimetric analyses, as well as mass spectrometric and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) measurements. For dosimetric measurements that indirectly characterize the content of radionuclides in coal, a modified dosimetric complex and original soil-equivalent thermoluminescent detectors based on SiO2 were used. The analysis of the obtained results supports the use of TL studies to determine the ash content of coals at low and medium stages of metamorphism (coal rank B→G), while indicating that this method is not feasible for coals at higher stages of metamorphism. The correlation dependencies in the metamorphism series suggest abrupt change in the conditions of coal formation during the time range corresponding to transformation from high to low volatile bituminous coals (coal rank G→Zh→K). These abrupt changes in regional metamorphism conditions (time, temperature, pressure, oxidation-reduction conditions) are confined to the boundary of the Permian and Triassic periods (~250 million years ago), during which both the transformation of existing coal deposits and the formation of new deposits occurred.
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Date submitted2024-05-08
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Date accepted2024-11-07
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Date published2024-12-12
The effect of mechanical and thermal treatment on the characteristics of saponite-containing material
Solving the problems of modern building materials science is reduced to obtaining high-quality materials, expanding and searching for a rational raw material base, which can be carried out through the use of various industrial wastes. In this paper, the possibility of using waste from the mining industry – saponite-containing material (SCM) obtained during the enrichment of kimberlite ores from the Lomonosov diamond deposit, as an active mineral additive for cement binders and concretes is considered. The influence of mechanical and thermal treatment on a number of properties of the material selected from the tailings dump and in its initial state was studied. The study of the surface activity of SCM samples consisted in determining the sorption capacity, acid-base centers and their distribution. An increase in the activity of the surface of the material particles as a result of mechanical activation and its decrease during temperature treatment were determined. These effects are associated with phase rearrangements and structural changes in the sandy-clay rock, which was confirmed during thermal analysis. The temperature effect has no pronounced effect on the microstructure, the “smoothness” of the particles and the formation of a consolidated surface of the structural elements of the saponite-containing material are noted.
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Date submitted2024-06-17
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Date accepted2024-07-17
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Date published2024-10-03
Justification on the safe exploitation of closed coal warehouse by gas factor
The annual increase of coal production and its demand lead to the necessity in temporary storage places (warehouses) organization to accommodate raw coal materials before the shipment. It is noted that at the open method of coal storing the dust emission from loading/unloading operations and from the pile surface effects negatively the health of the warehouse workers and adjacent territories. An alternative solution is closed-type warehouses . One of the main hazards of such coal storage can be the release of residual methane from coal segregates into the air after degassing processes during mining and extraction to the surface, as well as transportation to the place of temporary storage. The study carries the analysis of methane content change in coal during the processes of extraction, transportation and storage. Physical and chemical bases of mass transfer during the interaction between gas-saturated coal mass and air are studied. It is determined that the intensity of methane emission depends on: the coal seam natural gas content, parameters of mass transfer between coal, and air and the ambient temperature. The dynamics of coal mass gas exchange with atmospheric air is evaluated by approximate approach, which is based on two interrelated iterations. The first one considers the formation of methane concentration fields in the air space of the bulk volume and the second accounts the methane emission from the pile surface to the outside air. It is determined that safety of closed coal warehouses exploitation by gas factor can be ensured by means of artificial ventilation providing volumetric methane concentration in the air less than 1 %. The flow rate sufficient to achieve this methane concentration was obtained as a result of computer modeling of methane concentration fields formation in the air medium at theoretically calculated methane emission from the pile surface.
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Date submitted2024-05-06
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Date accepted2024-06-14
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Date published2024-07-04
Natural carbon matrices based on brown coal, humic acids and humine extracted from it for purification of aqueous solutions from low molecular weight organic impurities
Heterogeneous systems including natural carbon matrices in the solid phase and aqueous solutions of low molecular weight organic compounds with positive and negative variations from ideality in the liquid phase are considered. The technical characterization of the considered supramolecular ensembles on the basis of brown coal of the Kara-Keche deposit (Kyrgyzstan), humic acids and humine extracted from it is given. Functional analysis of the samples was carried out using FTIR spectroscopy. The morphology of the surface of the considered carbon matrices has been investigated, in different points of which the local microelement composition has been established. An X-ray phase analysis of Kara-Keche brown coal and humic acids and humine extracted from it was carried out. The isothermal adsorption of bipolar molecules of glycine and urea, neutral D-glucose from aqueous solutions on solid carbon sorbents has been studied. An assumption has been made about the adsorption of low molecular weight organic compounds from aqueous solutions on humine and Kara-Keche coal in irregularities and pores of the carbon matrix of sorbents, for humic acids – on surface reaction centers. Due to its developed pore structure and resistance to acids and alkalis, humine from Kara-Keche coal is recommended for the purification of industrial wastewater from low molecular weight organic ecotoxicants.
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Date submitted2024-07-04
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Date accepted2024-07-04
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Date published2024-07-04
Environmental safety and sustainable development: new approaches to wastewater treatment
In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Despite significant progress, billions of people – one in three people – do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. Modern wastewater treatment methods include a wide range of biological, chemical and physical processes, each having its own advantages and applications. This thematic volume considers the latest achievements in wastewater treatment technologies, wastewater purification and treatment as well as their potential applications at the local level. The problem of surface water pollution is relevant for all regions of the world. One of the largest sources of pollutants is mining and processing industry. The first stage in the development of wastewater treatment technologies is monitoring of anthropogenically modified water bodies.
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Date submitted2023-01-16
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2024-04-25
Study on the thin layer drying and diffusion mechanism of low rank coal in Inner Mongolia and Yunnan
Coal is one of the world's most important energy substances. China is rich in coal resources, accounting for more than 90 % of all ascertained fossil energy reserves. The consumption share of coal energy reaches 56.5 % in 2021. Due to the high moisture content of low-rank coal, it is easy to cause equipment blockage in the dry sorting process. This paper considers low-rank coal coming from Inner Mongolia (NM samples) and Yunnan (YN samples). The weight loss performance of the samples was analyzed using thermogravimetric experiments to determine the appropriate temperature for drying experiments. Thin-layer drying experiments were carried out at different temperature conditions. The drying characteristics of low-rank coal were that the higher the drying temperature, the shorter the drying completion time; the smaller the particle size, the shorter the drying completion time. The effective moisture diffusion coefficient was fitted using the Arrhenius equation. The effective water diffusion coefficient of NM samples was 5.07·10–11 - 9.58·10–11 m2/s. The effective water diffusion coefficients of the three different particle sizes of YN samples were 1.89·10–11 - 4.92·10–11 (–1 mm), 1.38·10–10 - 4.13·10–10 (1-3 mm), 5.26·10–10 - 1.49·10–9 (3-6 mm). The activation energy of Inner Mongolia lignite was 10.97 kJ/mol (–1 mm). The activation energies of Yunnan lignite with different particle sizes were 17.97 kJ/mol (–1 mm), 33.52 kJ/mol (1-3 mm), and 38.64 kJ/mol (3-6 mm). The drying process was simulated using empirical and semi-empirical formulas. The optimal model for Inner Mongolia samples was the Two-term diffusion model, and Yunnan samples were the Hii equation was used.
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Date submitted2023-04-13
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2025-02-25
Assessment of the ecological state of aquatic ecosystems by studying lake bottom sediments
- Authors:
- Mariya A. Chukaeva
- Tatyana V. Sapelko
The article presents the results of coupled palynological and geochemical studies of five various genesis lakes, located along the route of the expedition “In the footsteps of Alexander von Humboldt in Siberia, Altai and Eastern Kazakhstan”, dedicated to the double anniversary: the 190th anniversary of the expedition across Russia of the famous scientist and his 250th birthday. A geochemical analysis of water and bottom sediments of Ik Lake (Siberia), Lakes Kolyvanskoe and Beloe (Altai), Lake Bezymyannoe (Kazakhstan) and Nagornyi Pond (Altai) was carried out. Based on their results an assessment of studied lakes ecological state was given through single and integral criteria. A high level of pollution was noted for Nagornyi Pond and Lake Bezymyannoe, which is caused by a significant technogenic load from nearby mines. This is consistent with the data of palynological research. The aquatic ecosystems of Lakes Kolyvanskoe and Beloe are characterized by a satisfactory ecological situation, but they experience an increased recreational load. The results of spore-pollen analysis and analysis of non-pollen palynomorphs showed the low ability of these lakes to self-healing. The most favorable ecological state and high self-cleaning capacity were noted for Lake Ik, which is consistent with the data of palynological studies. It is being confirmed with the results of palynological studies. It was therefore concluded about the ability to make a quick assessment of the aquatic ecosystems’ ecological state by studying lakes using coupled palynological and geochemical analysis.
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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 submitted2022-05-17
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Date accepted2023-04-03
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Date published2024-02-29
Improvement of concentrate quality in flotation of low-rank coal
- Authors:
- Sergei A. Kondratev
- Tatyana A. Khamzina
Percentage of high-rank coal with low content of ash, moisture, and sulfur in total coal production output is low. Most of the produced coal has a low quality (lignite, bituminous coal: long-flame and fiery). Under increasing requirements for ecological cleanness of coal, the efficient use of coal products is only possible after improvement of their processing properties. The authors discuss the enhancement of flotation efficiency of low-rank coal using the mechanism of physisorption of a collecting agent in particle – bubble attachment. It is explained why the yield of concentrate with low ash content increases as a result of combination of collectors having different physical properties. It is shown that the surface activity of a heteropolar agent relative to the gas – liquid interface and the adsorption density of the agent govern its collecting properties. Based on the recovery – surface activity relationship, the correlation is found between the collecting activity of a chemical compound and the structure of its molecules. The combination of the collectors with different surface activity enables adjusting collectability and selectivity of the blend. The physisorption mechanism of collectors can be a framework for developing recommendations on modification of concentrate yield and ash content, and on selection of optimized ratios of surface activities of miscible collectors relative to the gas – liquid interface.
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Date submitted2023-04-02
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2023-07-19
Integration of renewable energy at coal mining enterprises: problems and prospects
This article addresses the issue of developing renewable energy in coal mining enterprises in the Russian Federation. The study presents a methodology for assessing the technical and economic efficiency of introducing renewable energy sources based on simulation modeling. An analysis of the potential of solar and wind energy for coal mining regions in Russia is conducted. The authors use a custom software developed by them to simulate the power supply system for various scenarios of renewable energy integration, including solar generation, wind generation, solar generation with energy storage, wind generation together with solar generation. Based on the example of the Rostov region, a feasibility study of the considered options is presented. Additionally, the research includes a sensitivity analysis of the investment project in the conditions of uncertainty in the development of Russian renewable energy. The research findings indicate that even in market conditions with CO2 emission quotas and prices at the level of the Sakhalin experiment, renewable energy in coal mining enterprises in Russia remains unattractive and requires additional support.
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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 submitted2022-11-04
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Date accepted2023-03-03
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Date published2023-04-25
Efficiency of acid sulphate soils reclamation in coal mining areas
During the development of coal deposits, acid mine waters flowing to the surface cause the formation of acid sulphate soils. We study the effectiveness of soil reclamation by agrochemical and geochemical methods at the site of acid mine water discharge in the Kizel Coal Basin, carried out in 2005 using alkaline waste from soda production and activated sludge. A technosol with a stable phytocenosis was detected on the reclaimed site, and soddy-podzolic soil buried under the technogenic soil layer with no vegetation on the non-reclaimed site. The buried soddy-podzolic soil retains a strong acid рН concentration Н 2 О = 3. A high content of organic matter (8-1.5 %) is caused by carbonaceous particles; the presence of sulphide minerals reaches a depth of 40 cm. Technosol has a slightly acid pH reaction H 2 O = 5.5, the content of organic matter due to the use of activated sludge is 19-65 %, the presence of sulphide minerals reaches a depth of 20-40 cm. The total iron content in the upper layers of the technosol did not change (190-200 g/kg), the excess over the background reaches 15 times. There is no contamination with heavy metals and trace elements, single elevated concentrations of Li, Se, B and V are found.
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Date submitted2022-09-30
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Date accepted2023-02-13
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Date published2023-04-25
Hydrogeoecological conditions of technogenic groundwater in waste disposal sites
The specific hydrogeoecological conditions of aquifers of some technogenic formations, mainly iron ore skarn-magnetite and titanium-magnetite formations, are considered. The resulting wastes, which are stored in waste disposal sites during development of deposits, due to the impact of a number of factors (natural and technogenic) form technogenic waters. Waste disposal facilities are complex engineering structures (dumps and sludge storages), which in turn create their own hydrogeoecological conditions, which must be investigated in order to prevent and minimize environmental and economic damage caused by these objects to the aquatic environment. The paper presents long-term field and laboratory studies of the aquatic environment under the influence of a waste disposal facility in the Middle Urals – one of the largest tailings, representing a potential environmental and man-made hazard. This tailing dump contains tens of tons of waste – enrichment tailings and creates specific hydrogeoecological conditions on the territory. Based on many years of monitoring studies, an analysis of these conditions was carried out – the quality of groundwater affected by the tailings was assessed. It is shown that groundwater is of technogenic nature, i.e. are man-made waters that have a significant impact on the surface and underground hydrospheres of the territory.
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Date submitted2022-08-05
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Date accepted2022-11-17
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Date published2023-02-27
Feasibility study of using cogeneration plants at Kuzbass coal mines
The paper considers the problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the process of coal mining during the coal mine methane utilization in power supply systems. An algorithm to form recommendations for the implementation of CMM generation is presented. A simulation model for one of the Kuzbass coal mines was developed in the PowerFactory software application. The simulation model considers the uneven nature of the power consumption of mining equipment. As a result of modeling, daily power consumption profiles and voltage levels in the coal mine power supply system were determined before and after the implementation of the proposed measures. Based on the results, the technical and economic effects was estimated, which consisted in reducing the direct and indirect carbon footprint, electricity and capacity fees. It has been established that the cost of carbon dioxide emission quotas significantly affects the investment attractiveness of cogeneration projects. Based on the results, recommendations are given to stimulate the development of small generation in coal mines.
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Date submitted2022-03-22
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Date accepted2022-11-17
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Date published2023-02-27
Development of composition and study of sorbent properties based on saponite
The development of a comprehensive approach to preventing the pollution of natural objects is necessary due to the high requirements of environmental legislation for the discharge of industrial wastewater. Adsorbents are used in various industries to extract heavy metals from wastewater. In this study the possibility of using saponite clay as a raw material for the production of sorbent for the extraction of copper ions Cu 2+ from industrial wastewater is considered, a recipe and technology of sorbent production are developed, and its chemical composition is established. It has been established that the optimum temperature for heat treatment of the sorbent and corresponds to 550 ºC, since at this temperature saponite extrudates acquire strength (strength 34.1 kg/mm 2 ) and textural properties (specific surface area of pellets 22.803 m 2 /g), allowing them to be used as sorbents. The kinetics of molecular adsorption was studied using model solutions of copper (II) sulfate. The extraction efficiency of copper (II) ions from the model solutions is 93 %. Extraction efficiency of copper (II) ions from copper plating wastewater reaches 94 %. SEM results confirm the presence of metal on the sorbent surface.
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Date submitted2022-07-15
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Date accepted2022-12-13
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Date published2023-02-27
Mathematical modelling of displacement during the potash ores mining by longwall faces
In favourable mining conditions, in particular at the Starobinskoye potash deposit (Belarus), longwall mining systems are used. They cause a high human-induced load on the subsoil, including intense deformation of the ground surface. The presented investigations are aimed at studying the dynamics of the ground surface displacement during the longwall face advance. Mathematical modelling was carried out in an elastic-plastic formulation with numerical implementation by the finite element method. The condition for the roof rocks collapse was opening of the contact between the seams when its boundaries were reached by shear fractures or formation of the tensile stresses area at the outcrop. With the working front advance, an increase in subsidence is observed, followed by its stabilization to a value determined by the process parameters of mining operations and the physical and mechanical properties of collapsed rocks. In this case, each point of the ground surface experiences sign-alternating horizontal deformations: when the front approaches, it causes tension, and when it moves away, compression. The obtained results of mathematical modelling are in good agreement with the data of instrumental measurements of the ground surface displacements, which indicates the adequate description of the rock mass deformation during the slice excavation of sylvinite seams by longwall faces.
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Date submitted2021-07-05
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Date accepted2022-11-17
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Date published2022-12-29
Determination of suitable distance between methane drainage stations in Tabas mechanized coal mine (Iran) based on theoretical calculations and field investigation
A large amount of gas is emitted during underground mining processes, so mining productivity decreases and safety risks increase. Efficient methane drainage from the coal seam and surrounding rocks in underground mines not only improves safety but also leads to higher productivity. Methane drainage must be performed when the ventilation air cannot dilute the methane emissions in the mine to a level below the allowed limits. The cross-measure borehole method is one of the methane drainage methods that involves drilling boreholes from the tailgate roadway to an un-stressed zone in the roof or floor stratum of a mined seam. This is the main method used in Tabas coal mine N 1. One of the effective parameters in this method is the distance between methane drainage stations, which has a direct effect on the length of boreholes required for drainage. This study was based on the measurement of ventilation air methane by methane sensors and anemometers placed at the longwall panel as well as measuring the amount of methane drainage. Moreover, in this study, the obtained and analyzed data were used to determine the suitable distance between methane drainage stations based on the cross-measure borehole method. In a field test, three borehole arrangements with different station distances in Panel E4 of Tabas coal mine N 1 were investigated. Then, the amounts of gas drained from these arrangements were compared with each other. The highest methane drainage efficiency was achieved for distances in the range of 9-12 m between methane drainage stations.
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Date submitted2022-04-05
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Date accepted2022-07-21
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Date published2022-11-10
Development of resource-saving technology for excavation of flat-lying coal seams with tight roof rocks (on the example of the Quang Ninh coal basin mines)
- Authors:
- Vladimir P. Zubov
- Le Quang Phuc
It is shown that the creation of the variants of resource-saving systems for the development of long-column mining is one of the main directions for improving the technological schemes for mining operations in the mines of the Kuang Nin coal basin. They provide a reduction in coal losses in the inter-column pillars and the cost of maintaining preliminary workings fixed with anchorage. The implementation of these directions is difficult (and in some cases practically impossible) when tight rocks are lying over the coal seam, prone to significant hovering in the developed space. In the Quang Ninh basin, 9-10 % of the workings are anchored, the operational losses of coal reach 30 % or more; up to 50 % of the workings are re-anchored annually. It is concluded that the real conditions for reducing coal losses and the effective use of anchor support as the main support of reusable preliminary workings are created when implementing the idea put forward at the St. Petersburg Mining University: leaving the coal pillar of increased width between the reused mine working and the developed space and its subsequent development on the same line with the stoping face simultaneously with the reclamation of the reused mine working.
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Date submitted2022-03-14
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Date accepted2022-06-20
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Date published2022-11-10
Model of a walking sampler for research of the bottom surface in the subglacial lake Vostok
Technologies and technical means for investigation of subglacial lakes in Antarctic is a new developing scientific and technical direction, which today has no clearly established methodology. Based on the developed technology of drilling a new access well to lake Vostok and its penetration as well as analysis of existing methods and devices for bottom sediment sampling, a basic model of a sampler with a walking-type mover, capable of moving along different trajectories and operating in a wide technological range, is proposed. The proposed device model is equipped with different actuators for sampling the bottom surface with different physical and mechanical properties. Based on the presented basic model of the walking sampler, a mathematical model of the device was developed, which was based on the theoretical mechanics methods. As a result of conducted research the dependencies were obtained, which allow making a scientifically justified choice of optimal values for geometric and force parameters of the walking sampler. A conceptual design of the walking sampler has been developed, taking into account the mutual location and coupling of its main components, the overall dimensions of the delivery tool, as well as the esthetic component of the device.
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Date submitted2022-03-17
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Date accepted2022-06-20
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Date published2022-11-03
Assessment of collecting activity of physically sorbed reagents on the example of easily floatable coking coal sludge
- Authors:
- Sergey A. Kondratev
- Tatyana A. Khamzina
The article presents one of the new approaches to theoretical assessment of collecting ability of reagents. The efficiency of reagents-collectors with different chemical composition used for flotation of coking coals was studied. A comparative assessment of the flotation activity of kerosene, mineral oil, thermal gas oil, KETGOL and FLOTEK is given. The criteria of collecting activity of the above reagents-collectors for coal sludge flotation were specified. A correlation was established between the indicators of coal sludge flotation by the above reagents and their physical parameters. It is shown that the rate of spreading over water surface can characterize the flotation activity of reagents. Based on dependence of the collecting activity of a reagent on its rate of spreading along the “gas – liquid” interface and surface pressure, the main approaches to determining the structure and composition of molecules of an effective flotation collector can be determined. A new concept of the function performed by a physically sorbed collector in the elementary act of flotation and a criterion for the flotation activity of reagents used in coal sludge beneficiation are proposed. It is shown that the collector used in coal flotation, in addition to hydrophobizing the surface of the extracted particles, should reduce the induction time and remove the kinetic constraint on formation of a flotation aggregate.
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Date submitted2022-03-17
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Date accepted2022-10-04
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Date published2022-11-10
Improving the reliability of 3D modelling of a landslide slope based on engineering geophysics data
Landslides are among the most dangerous geological processes, posing a threat to all engineering structures. In order to assess the stability of slopes, complex engineering surveys are used, the results of which are necessary to perform computations of the stability of soil masses and assess the risks of landslide development. The results of integ-rated geological and geophysical studies of a typical landslide slope in the North-Western Caucasus spurs, composed of clayey soils, are presented. The purpose of the work is to increase the reliability of assessing the stability of a landslide mass by constructing a 3D model of the slope, including its main structural elements, identified using modern methods of engineering geophysics. Accounting for geophysical data in the formation of the computed 3D model of the slope made it possible to identify important structural elements of the landslide, which significantly affected the correct computation of its stability.
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Date submitted2021-12-19
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Date accepted2022-07-21
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Date published2022-11-10
Increasing the content of coarse fractions in the mined coal mass by a combine using paired cuts
The main volume of coal is mined underground using shearers. In modern shearers, auger actuators are mainly used, which are distinguished by the simplicity of design, manufacturability and reliability. However, in the process of separating coal from mass by cutting, the yield of fine grades is 40-50 % of the total production volume. Therefore, the search and development of technical solutions that provide an increase in the yield of large fractions in the process of coal mining with auger shearers is an urgent task. Traditionally, this problem is solved by increasing the thickness of the slices, which is achieved by installing cutters with a larger radial reach and increasing the shearer feed rate. An unconventional way to increase the cross section of slices by forming energy-efficient paired and group slices with mutual superposition of stress fields in the mass from the action of neighboring cutters is considered. The results of modeling the process of cutting coal confirm that an increase in the efficiency of destruction of the rock mass by the cutters of the auger executive bodies of the shearer can be achieved by a complex technical solution, including the formation of paired cuts and combined stress zones in the rock mass. As a result, the output of large fragments when cutting with paired cutters increases by 1.3-1.8 times compared with cutting with a single cutter.
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Date submitted2021-04-20
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Date accepted2022-04-26
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Date published2022-07-13
Prediction of the stress-strain state and stability of the front of tunnel face at the intersection of disturbed zones of the soil mass
The article presents a numerical solution of the spatial elastic-plastic problem of determining the stability of the tunnel face soils at the intersection of disturbed zones of the soil mass. The relevance of the study is related to the need to take into account the zones of disturbed soils when assessing the face stability to calculate the parameters of the support. Based on the finite element method implemented in the PLAXIS 3D software package, the construction of a finite element system "soil mass-disturbance-face support" and modeling of the intersection of the disturbed zones of the soil mass were performed. To assess the condition of soils, deformation and strength criteria are taken. The deformation criterion is expressed by the value of the calculated displacement of the tunnel contour in the face, and the strength criterion - by the safety coefficient until the maximum values of the stress state are reached according to the Coulomb–Mohr criterion. The results of the study are presented in the form of histograms of the safety coefficient dependences on the distance to the disturbance at different bending stiffness of the face support structure, as well as the isofields of deformation development. The parameters of rockfall formation in the face zone at the intersection of zones of disturbed soils were determined. The local decrease in strength and deformation properties in the rock mass along the tunnel track should be taken into account when assessing the stability of the tunnel face and calculating the parameters of the support. Within the framework of the constructed closed system, a qualitative agreement of the simulation results with the case of a collapse in the face during the construction of the Vladimirskaya-2 station of the St. Petersburg Metro was obtained.
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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 submitted2021-10-14
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Date accepted2022-04-07
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Date published2022-04-29
The influence of the shape and size of dust fractions on their distribution and accumulation in mine workings when changing the structure of air flow
The results of the analysis of statistical data on accidents at Russian mines caused by explosions in the workings space have shown that explosions of methane-dust-air mixtures at underground coal mines are the most severe accidents in terms of consequences. A detailed analysis of literature sources showed that in the total number of explosions prevails total share of hybrid mixtures, i.e. with the simultaneous participation of gas (methane) and coal dust, as well as explosions with the possible or partial involvement of coal dust. The main causes contributing to the occurrence and development of dust-air mixture explosions, including irregular monitoring of by mine engineers and technicians of the schedule of dust explosion protective measures; unreliable assessment of the dust situation, etc., are given. The main problem in this case was the difficulty of determining the location and volume of dust deposition zones in not extinguished and difficult to access for instrumental control workings. Determination of the class-shape of coal dust particles is a necessary condition for constructing a model of the dust situation reflecting the aerosol distribution in the workings space. The morphological composition of coal mine dust fractions with dispersion less than 0.1 has been studied. Particle studies conducted using an LEICA DM 4000 optical microscope and IMAGE SCOPE M software made it possible to establish the different class-shapes of dust particles found in operating mines. It was found that the coal dust particles presented in the samples correspond to the parallelepiped shape to the greatest extent. The mathematical model based on the specialized ANSYS FLUENT complex, in which this class-form is incorporated, is used for predicting the distribution of explosive and combustible coal dust in the workings space. The use of the obtained model in production conditions will allow to determine the possible places of dust deposition and to develop measures to prevent the transition of coal dust from the aerogel state to the aerosol state and thereby prevent the formation of an explosive dust-air mixture.