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Date submitted2024-05-11
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Date accepted2025-01-28
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Date published2025-03-21
Research and development of technology for the construction of snow airfields for accommodating wheeled aircraft in Antarctica
- Authors:
- Sergey P. Polyakov
- Sergey V. Popov
Construction of a new wintering complex at the Antarctic Vostok Station required prompt delivery of builders and mechanics to Progress Station to move them further to the work area. To solve this major logistical issue, a new landing site, later named Zenit, certified for accommodating heavy wheeled aircraft, was prepared in the Progress Station area from March to August 2022. Its snow pavement slab with a total area of 350 thousand m2 is from 100 to 120 cm high. It was made by applying snow layers with their subsequent compaction by a specially designed compaction platform for snow airfields suitable for heavy wheeled aircraft. As a result, the pavement has a surface hardness of at least 1 MPa. The layer from 30 to 60 cm has a hardness of at least 0.8 MPa, and the bottom layer at least 0.6 MPa. The first Il-76TD-90VD aircraft of the Russian company Volga-Dnepr was accommodated to the new runway on 7 November 2022. The aircraft landed in normal mode. The depth of the chassis wheels track after landing did not exceed 3 cm. The research provided in-depth understanding of the mechanisms for forming the supporting base of the runway from snow and ice in Antarctica. The experience gained can be used to solve similar issues in the Far North.
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Date submitted2024-03-29
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Date accepted2024-11-07
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Date published2025-02-26
Well killing with absorption control
The development of new fields with low-permeability reservoirs required the introduction of new production technologies, of which the most significant for well killing and underground repair were multi-ton hydraulic fracturing, the simultaneous operation of two or three development sites by one well grid, and an increase in the rate of fluid extraction. These global decisions in field development have led to the need to search for new effective materials and technologies for well killing. The article is devoted to the analysis of problems associated with the process of killing production wells in fields characterized by increased fracturing, both natural and artificial (due to hydraulic fracturing), with reduced reservoir pressure and a high gas factor. The relevance of the analysis is due to the increase in the number of development sites where complications arise when wells are killed. Particular attention is paid to technical solutions aimed at preserving the filtration and capacity properties of the bottomhole formation zone, preventing the absorption of process fluid, and blocking the manifestation of gas. The classification of block-packs used in killing is given, based on the nature of the process fluid. Suspension thickened water-salt solutions are considered, forming a waterproof crust on the surface of the rock, which prevents the penetration of water and aqueous solutions into the formation. This approach ensures the safety and efficiency of killing operations, especially when working with formations in which maintaining water saturation and preventing the ingress of the water phase are of critical importance. Modern trends in the development of technology are revealed, and promising areas for further improvement of well killing with absorption control are outlined.
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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 submitted2024-07-04
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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 submitted2023-03-16
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-04-25
Comprehensive assessment of deformation of rigid reinforcing system during convergence of mine shaft lining in unstable rocks
Operation of vertical mine shafts in complex mining and geological conditions is associated with a number of features. One of them is a radial displacement of the concrete shaft lining, caused by the influence of mining pressure on the stress-strain state of the mine workings. A rigid reinforcing system with shaft buntons fixed in the concrete lining thus experiences elastoplastic deformations, their value increases with time. It results in deviation of conductors from design parameters, weakening of bolt connections, worsening of dynamic properties of geotechnical system “vehicle – reinforcing”, increase of wear rate of reinforcing system elements, increase of risks for creating an emergency situation. The article offers a comprehensive assessment of displacements of characteristic points of the bunton system based on approximate engineering relations, numerical modeling of the deformation process of the bunton system and laser measurements of the convergence of the inner surface of the concrete shaft lining. The method was tested on the example of the reinforcing system of the skip-cage shaft of the potash mine. Displacement of the characteristic points of the reinforcing system is determined by the value of radial displacements of the surface of the concrete shaft lining. Evaluation of the radial displacements was made using monitoring measurements and profiling data. The results obtained make it possible to justify the need and timing of repair works. It is shown that the deterioration of the reinforcing system at different levels occurs at different rates, defined, among other things, by mechanical properties of the rock mass layers located at a given depth.
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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 submitted2021-10-27
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2023-12-25
Geomechanical analysis of the impact of the new tunnels construction in the vicinity of existing underground subway structures on the state of the soil massif
The specificity of the behavior of the soil massif near the tunnel under construction in difficult mining conditions is considered. It was revealed through the joint interpretation of the results of geophysical measurements in the tunnel and computer simulation. The results of field geophysical studies to identify areas of decompacted soil behind the lining in two existing tunnels during successive drilling of two new tunnels under them are described. A method to analyze the response of the lining to impact was used providing for the calculation of its energy. It has been established that the decompaction zones are mainly located in the lateral lower areas of the tunnel. To substantiate the mechanism of formation of cavities, computer simulations were carried out using the finite element method with the COMSOL Multiphysics software. The finite element model is built on the Drucker – Prager criterion in the variant of a two-dimensional problem statement. It is shown that at the initial position of two old tunnels, the areas of decompaction can develop mainly on the sides. The position of the zones changes significantly when excavating two new tunnels. Soil decompaction zones appear between the tunnels and there is a tendency for the areas to spread to the upper point of the tunnel. According to geophysical data time delays in the impact of new tunnels on the existing line are noted, as well as a decrease in the size of decompacted soil areas over time. There is a satisfactory agreement between the positions of the decompaction areas and voids obtained by the geophysical method and the results of numerical simulation.
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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 submitted2023-03-10
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2023-07-19
Enhancement of energy efficiency of the vacuum oil distillation unit using pinch analysis
- Authors:
- Еkaterina А. Yushkova
- Vladimir A. Lebedev
The actual task of the state is to increase the energy efficiency of the oil refinery. The object of research is a vacuum distillation unit, including a preheating unit for raw materials and a furnace for heating fuel oil before the column. Pinch analysis allows to analyze and optimize a large number of heat flows. In this study the analysis and enhancement of efficiency of the research object is carried out by enthalpy pinch analysis. In order to reduce the heat load of the furnaces, the additional flows were introduced into the heat exchange system of the oil heating unit. Parametric optimization of the new heat exchange system was carried out. The minimum needs of the heat exchange system in external energy carriers are determined. An enthalpy cascade of the heat exchange system has been constructed, which clearly shows the distribution of heat between each heat flow of the system. In the analysis of the energy efficiency of a furnace, an important point is the determination of the optimal heat capacity of the combustion products. In this work, we have determined the optimal flow heat capacity, at which the heat loss with the exhaust gases is minimal. As a result of the studies carried out, the efficiency of the fuel oil preheating unit has been increased by maximizing heat recovery, and the cost of external energy carriers has been minimized. By reducing heat loss with flue gases, it was possible to increase the efficiency of the furnace.
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Date submitted2022-10-31
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Date accepted2023-03-02
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Date published2023-12-25
Lightweight ash-based concrete production as a promising way of technogenic product utilization (on the example of sewage treatment waste)
- Authors:
- Tatyana E. Litvinova
- Denis V. Suchkov
The study is devoted to the development of a method for the technogenic raw materials utilization. Special attention is paid to the prospect of involving products based on them in the production of new building materials. The results of Russian and foreign studies on the reuse of wastes, such as phosphogypsum, metallurgical slag, waste from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, etc., in the building materials industry are considered. It has been established that the use of incinerated sewage sludge ash in construction is a promising direction in terms of environmental and economic efficiency. The research confirmed the compliance of the lightweight ash-based concrete components to the regulatory documentation requirements for a number of indicators. As a result of the research, the composition of the raw mixture for the lightweight concrete production with incinerated sewage sludge ash as a replacement for a part of the cement has been developed. In terms of parameters, the developed concrete corresponds to standard lightweight concrete, marked in accordance with the regulatory documents of the Russian Federation as D1300 (density not less than 1.3 g/cm3), Btb2 (flexural strength not less than 2 MPa), M200/B15 (compressive strength not less than 15 MPa). Lightweight ash-based concrete is suitable for use in construction, repair of roads and improvement of urban areas.
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Date submitted2022-10-24
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Date accepted2023-03-03
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Date published2023-04-25
Use of clay-containing waste as pozzolanic additives
Growing productivity of mining and processing enterprises entails an increase in the volumes of liquid tailings impoundments and upstream impoundments of ore processing waste. Enterprises face the challenge of minimizing the environmental impact of waste and guaranteeing the sanitary and epidemiological safety of population. The article presents a possibility of recycling one type of such waste (clay-containing concentration tailings of apatite-nepheline and sylvinite ores, coal beneficiation tailings) by using them after preliminary thermochemical treatment as pozzolanic additives to cements and concretes, including concrete mixtures used for soil stabilization, development of territories, reclamation of mine workings, as a component of the insulating layer of landfills for the disposal of municipal solid waste. An analysis of the phase changes of kaolinite, one of the main minerals that make up clay-containing waste, in the temperature range of 200-1,000 °С showed that a change in its mineral form during heat treatment is the main factor in changing its pozzolanic activity. The effect of heat treatment of clay minerals at temperature of 700-800 °C on their pozzolanic activity, estimated by the ability to absorb calcium hydroxide (0.7 g Ca(OH) 2 per 1 g of modified kaolinite), is considered. It is shown that the addition of heat-treated samples (20 % by weight) improves the quality of cement increasing its activity by 15 %, in comparison with the use of unmodified clay minerals. It was proved experimentally that partial replacement of Portland cement with thermally modified kaolinite increases the strength of consolidating stowing mixture by up to 15 %. This approach to processing of ores containing layered silicates, which provides for thermochemical modification of run-of-mine ore, intensifies the processes of tailings thickening and filtering.
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Date submitted2022-01-21
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Date accepted2022-11-14
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Date published2023-08-28
Strategy of mine ventilation control in optimal mode using fuzzy logic controllers
- Authors:
- Aleksei V. Kashnikov
- Yuri V. Kruglov
The issues related to improving the efficiency of automatic ventilation control systems of mines that regulate the air supply to the mine in accordance with the need are considered. During the tests of such a system in the 3RU mine of OAO Belaruskali, the shortcomings of its existing, implementation, associated with the incorrect choice of the most difficult-to-ventilate direction, were revealed. The possibilities of implementing a control strategy, in which the system automatically determines the optimal configuration of the operating modes of fans and regulators, are demonstrated. As an alternative to the implemented algorithms, it is proposed to use a fuzzy control device to account for the nonlinearity of the dependence of the input and output parameters of ventilation equipment and to set the conditions for the optimal operating mode of the system in a declarative form. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach, the data of simulation modeling of the current ventilation mode and the transition from one ventilation mode to another are analyzed with comparison with the actual data of the system operation. The simulation results show that the use of an upgraded control scheme for the main ventilation fan based on fuzzy logic in the implementation of automatic ventilation control systems makes it possible to eliminate the possibility of a shortage of fresh air in the regulated directions of its movement, as well as excessive power consumption of the main ventilation fan.
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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 submitted2022-03-22
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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 submitted2022-03-14
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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 submitted2022-05-03
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Date accepted2022-07-21
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Date published2022-11-03
Determination of rational steam consumption in steam-air mixture flotation of apatite-nepheline ores
Relevance of the study is determined by the decisions taken to increase the production volume of certain commercial products from mineral raw materials. The scale, impact and consequences of the projects on developing the resource-saving technologies for beneficiation of mineral raw materials are socially significant, and the economic growth of mining production complies with the sustainable development goals. The aim of the study is to develop the flotation circuit and mode that improve the technological performance of beneficiation of apatite-nepheline ores of the Khibiny Massif in the Kola Peninsula. The scientific idea of the work is to develop the flotation circuit, the movement of beneficiation products in which ensures a major increase in the content of the recovered component in the rougher flotation procedure with a simultaneous increase in dressability of the material. The above condition is met when mixing the feedstock with rough concentrate. Recovery of the valuable component from the resulting mixture is accomplished in a mode differing from the known ones in that the heat of steam condensation is used to increase water temperature in the interphase film between the particle and the bubble. For pulp aeration during flotation, a mixture of air and hot steam is used as the gas phase. A high recovery of the valuable component in ore flotation according to the developed circuit and mode is facilitated by increasing water temperature in wetting films due to the steam condensation heat. A high selectivity of flotation with a steam-air mixture can be explained using the concepts of a phonon component of disjoining pressure, the value and sign of which are associated with a difference in the dynamic structure of liquid in the wetting film and bulk liquid.
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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 submitted2021-11-17
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Date accepted2022-04-06
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Date published2022-11-10
Method for predicting the stress state of the lining of underground structures of quasi-rectangular and arched forms
- Authors:
- Maksim A. Karasev
- Tien Tai Nguyen
A method for predicting the stress-strain state of the lining of underground structures, the shape of the cross-section of which is different from the circular outline, is considered. The main task of the study is to develop a methodology for assessing the influence of the parameters of the cross-section shape of underground structures on the stress state of the lining. To solve this problem, a method for calculating the stress state of the lining for arched tunnels with a reverse arch and quasi-rectangular forms is substantiated and developed. The methodology was tested, which showed that the accuracy of the prediction of the stress state of the lining is sufficient to perform practical calculations. An algorithm for multivariate analysis of the influence of the cross-sectional shape of underground structures of arched and quasi-rectangular shapes on the stress state of the lining is proposed. Parametric calculations were performed using the developed algorithm and regularities of the formation of the stress state of the lining of underground structures for various engineering and geological conditions, as well as the initial stress state field, were obtained. A quantitative assessment of the influence of geometric parameters of tunnels on their stress-strain state was performed.
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Date submitted2021-12-16
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Date accepted2022-04-07
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Date published2022-07-13
The Upper Kotlin clays of the Saint Petersburg region as a foundation and medium for unique facilities: an engineering-geological and geotechnical analysis
- Authors:
- Regina E. Dashko
- Georgiy A. Lokhmatikov
The article reviews the issues concerned with correctness of the engineering-geological and hydrogeological assessment of the Upper Kotlin clays, which serve as the foundation or host medium for facilities of various applications. It is claimed that the Upper Kotlin clays should be regarded as a fissured-block medium and, consequently, their assessment as an absolutely impermeablestratum should be totally excluded. Presence of a high-pressure Vendian aquifer in the lower part of the geological profile of the Vendian sediments causes inflow of these saline waters through the fissured clay strata, which promotes upheaval of tunnels as well as corrosion of their lining. The nature of the corrosion processes is defined not only by the chemical composition and physical and chemical features of these waters, but also by the biochemical factor, i.e. the availability of a rich microbial community. For the first time ever, the effect of saline water inflow into the Vendian complex on negative transformation of the clay blocks was studied. Experimental results revealed a decrease in the clay shear resistance caused by transformation of the structural bonds and microbial activity with the clay’s physical state being unchanged. Typification of the Upper Kotlin clay section has been performed for the region of Saint Petersburg in terms of the complexity of surface and underground building conditions. Fissuring of the bedclays, the possibility of confined groundwater inflow through the fissured strata and the consequent reduction of the block strength as well as the active corrosion of underground load-bearing structures must be taken into account in designing unique and typical surface and underground facilities and have to be incorporated into the normative documents.
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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.
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Date submitted2021-10-14
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Date accepted2022-01-24
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Date published2022-04-29
Monitoring of compressed air losses in branched air flow networks of mining enterprises
Compressed air as a type of safe technological energy carrier is widely used in many industries. In economically developed countries energy costs for the production and distribution of compressed air reach 10 % of the total energy costs. The analysis of compressed air production and distribution systems in the industrial sector shows that the efficiency of the systems is at a relatively low level. This is due to the fact that insufficient attention is paid to these systems since the compressed air systems energy monitoring has certain difficulties – the presence of complex and branched air pipeline networks with unique characteristics; low sensitivity of the equipment which consumes compressed air; the complexity of auditing pneumatic equipment that is in constant operation. The article analyzes the options for reducing the cost of production and compressed air distribution. One of the promising ways to reduce the compressed air distribution cost is timely detection and elimination of leaks that occur in the external air supply network of the enterprise. The task is solved by hardware-software monitoring of compressed air pressure at key points in the network. The proposed method allows real-time detecting of emerging air leaks in the air duct network and sending commands to maintenance personnel for their timely localization. This technique was tested in the industrial conditions of ALROSA enterprises on the air pipeline network of the Mir mine of the Mirninsky Mining and Processing Plant and showed satisfactory convergence of the calculated leakage values with the actual ones. The practical significance of the obtained results is that the developed method for monitoring air leaks in the air duct network is simple, it requires an uncomplicated software implementation and allows to localize leaks in a timely manner, thereby reducing unproductive energy costs at the enterprises.
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Date submitted2021-03-18
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Date accepted2021-11-30
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Date published2021-12-27
Deformations assessment during subway escalator tunnels construction by the method of artificial freezing of soil for the stage of ice wall formation
- Authors:
- Evgenii M. Volokhov
- Diana Z. Mukminova
The work is devoted to the study of the processes of displacement and deformation of the surface during the escalator tunnels construction of the subway by the method of artificial freezing of soils. The features of the construction and freezing technology, the rocks characteristics in which the escalator tunnels made are considered. The data of specially organized, full-scale surveying observations of deformations on the earth surface are presented. The main factors influencing deformation processes in the frozen strata of a layered inhomogeneous rock mass with inclined tunneling are determined, the complexity of the predictive task and the need to simplify the design scheme are shown. The work is focused on the assessment of the least studied geomechanical processes of soil heaving-uplifts and deformations during the periods of active and passive freezing stages. When studying the displacements processes of the earth surface and rock mass, the finite element method and analysis of the obtained data using field observations of displacements were used. A simplified calculation scheme is proposed for modeling, which allows taking into account the uneven influence of frozen rocks of an inhomogeneous layered rock mass with a large inclined tunneling. The satisfactory convergence of the data of field surveying observations on the earth surface and the results of modeling geomechanical processes for the period of active and passive freezing stages is shown. The proposed calculation scheme is recommended for the prediction of deformation at the stages of underground construction, characterized by the development of the most dangerous tensile deformations of buildings and structures on the surface.