Theoretic and experimental research on the possibilities for moderning and reabilitating the extraction installation of the Slănic Prahova salt mine

The paper deals with the subject of rehabilitation and mechanical modernization of the extraction plant within the mining operation of the salt mine from Slanic Prahova region. The extraction plant serves the 23 August mine shaft of the Unirea mine, and also this mine has been converted into a tourist mine. The rehabilitation of the extraction installation consists in the change of the cutting wheels from the extraction tower due to excessive degradation, requiring the redesign under strict conditions, and also the rehabilitation and extension of the saline water extraction system from the tourist mine. The modernization of the extraction plant consists in the change of the DC hoist engine with an asynchronous engine of the same energy power and research on the possibilities of increasing the cable transport capacity with technical changes made to the extraction tower, mine shaft and the sump. Modernization and rehabilitation carried out on the extraction installation at the Slanic Prahova salt mine, will provide a safety in operation and efficiency to using the necessary electricity for hoist engine operations.

“Failing kidneys in a failing planet; CKD of unknown origin”

The ‘alarm clock’ for human beings in the era of climate medicine has rung. Original diseases have appeared, that could not be explained and attributed to common causes, which are suggested to be linked to global warming and environmental factors. Such an indolent disease is the chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu), introduced also as Mesoamerican or Uddanam nephropathy. Scientists equate the climate impact on kidneys with the canary in the coal mine; coal miners used to carry caged canaries with them, so that if poisonous gases, such as methane or carbon monoxide leaked into the mine-shaft, the gases would kill the canary before killing the miners; similarly, kidneys are injured before devastating and lethal complications occur in humans. In some regions of Central America, the deaths due to chronic kidney disease increased by 177% with a death toll being as high as over 20,000. It was first documented in animals that periodic heat and dehydration have a major role in causing chronic kidney disease. Based on that observation, it is advocated that young male agricultural workers in Central America and South Asia, develop renal disease by getting exposed to extreme heat repeatedly. The clinico-pathological characteristics of this type of kidney injury, do not belong to an existing classification, even though a form of tubulo-interstitial renal disease has been proposed. In this review, we will discuss about CKDu, its epidemiology and pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation and diagnostic biomarkers and examine potential therapeutic options.

Investigation of Dynamic Load in Superdeep Mine Hoisting Systems Induced by Drum Winding

Blair mine hoists powered by drum winding are a key equipment in the transportation of a superdeep mine shaft. The step changes of hoisting velocity and acceleration caused by coil and layer crossover of rope winding on the LeBus drum, which will excite impact responses of hoisting systems, cannot be ignored in the hoisting system with high velocity. The paper focuses on investigating the effect of drum winding on impact responses of superdeep mine hoisting systems. Firstly, the hoisting velocity and acceleration were precisely modelled and calculated according to the structure of rope groove of the LeBus drum; secondly, impact responses of the dynamic displacement and load were obtained by applying the established model; eventually, an experiment was performed, and then, the validity of the established model and the response mechanism was verified. The paper will provide good technical support for the design and optimization of the mine hoists in superdeep mine shafts.

Allocation of a deep-lying brine aquifer in the rocks of a chemogenic section based on the data of geophysical well logging and 2D seismic exploration

Advancement in the production of potassium fertilizers is an important strategic task of Russian agricultural industry. Given annually growing production rates, the reserves of discovered potassium-magnesium salt deposits are noticeably decreasing, which creates the need to ensure stable replenishment of the resource base through both the discovery of new deposits and the exploitation of deep-lying production horizons of the deposits that are already under development. In most cases, deposits of potassium-magnesium salts are developed by underground mining. The main problem for any salt deposit is water. Dry salt workings do not require any additional reinforcement and can easily withstand rock pressure, but with an inflow of water they begin to collapse intensively – hence, special attention is paid to mine waterproofing. Determination of spatial location, physical and mechanical properties of the aquifer and water-blocking stratum in the geological section represent an important stage in the exploration of a salt deposit. The results of these studies allow to validate an optimal system of deposit development that will minimize environmental and economic risks. On the territory of Russia, there is a deposit of potassium-magnesium salts with a unique geological structure – its production horizon lies at a considerable depth and is capped by a regional aquifer, which imposes significant limitations on the development process. To estimate parameters of the studied object, we analyzed the data from CDP seismic reflection survey and a suite of methods of radioactive and acoustic well logging, supplemented with high-frequency induction logging isoparametric sounding (VIKIZ) data. As a result of performed analysis, we identified location of the water-bearing stratum, estimated average thickness of the aquifers and possible water-blocking strata. Based on research results, we proposed methods for increasing operational reliability of the main shaft in the designed mine that will minimize the risks of water breakthrough into the mine shaft.

Features of the thermal regime formation in the downcast shafts in the cold period of the year

In the cold period of the year, to ensure the required thermal regime in underground mine workings, the air supplied to the mine is heated using air handling systems. In future, the thermodynamic state of the prepared air flow when it is lowered along the mine shaft changes due to the influence of a number of factors. At the same time, the processes of heat and mass exchange between the incoming air and its environment are of particular interest. These processes directly depend on the initial parameters of the heated air, the downcast shaft depth and the presence of water flows into the mine shaft. Based on the obtained experimental data and theoretical studies, the analysis of the influence of various heat and mass transfer factors on the formation of microclimatic parameters of air in the downcast shafts of the Norilsk industrial district mines is carried out. It is shown that in the presence of external water flows from the flooded rocks behind the shaft lining, the microclimatic parameters of the air in the shaft are determined by the heat transfer from the incoming air flow to the underground water flowing down the downcast shaft lining. The research results made it possible to describe and explain the effect of lowering the air temperature entering the underground workings of deep mines

Analysis of Temperature Anomalies during Thermal Monitoring of Frozen Wall Formation

The paper describes a distributed temperature sensing system that was used to monitor the artificial freezing of soils during the construction of a potash mine shaft. The technique of reconstructing the temperature field by solving the inverse problem in the entire volume of frozen soils using the measured temperatures in four thermal monitoring (TM) wells is described. Two local anomalies in temperature distributions in TM wells are described and analyzed theoretically using thermo-hydraulic modeling. The first anomaly concerns the asymmetric temperature distribution in one of the soil layers and is associated with the influence of natural groundwater flow in the horizontal direction. The second anomaly consists of a sharp decrease in water temperature in the section of the TM well located inside the freezing contour. Calculations showed that it is most likely associated with the entry of cold groundwater from the overlying layers of soils through a well filter at a depth of 160 m and the subsequent movement of the water up the well.

COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE SHAFT STRUCTURE OF THE DNIPRO METRO

Purpose. The construction of the Dnipro Metro, which today is characterized by high efficiency and widespread introduction of new technologies, has proved the need for predesign, design and construction work. The purpose of the scientific article is to identify during the complex analysis of the structure of the mine shaft its stress-strain state, which was obtained during the numerical analysis and geodetic monitoring. Methodology. During the complex analysis of the shaft № 16-bis of the Dnipro Metro, prognostic calculations of the stress-strain state were performed. To do this, a finite-element model is built, in which fully reflects the geometric features of the shaft, the load on it and boundary conditions. Part of the comprehensive analysis is geodetic monitoring, which is carried out during the construction of the shaft and during its operation. The works included the measurement of deformations both in the lining of the shafts and in the sections of the mine workings, as well as on the surface near the houses along the route in the area of influence of the working workings. Findings. During the numerical analysis of the structure of the shaft № 16-bis of the Dnipro Metro, displacement and force factors (normal forces and bending moments) were determined. Based on these results, the reinforcement of the elements of the shaft lining (bored pile, cap beam, reinforced concrete ring beam) was selected. The value of the deformed state obtained from the prognostic analysis indicates on the insignificant displacements of the designed structure. During the geodetic monitoring, horizontal and vertical deformations of the № 16-bis shaft lining were recorded, which were caused by the influence of public transport and heavy vehicles. But the values of these deformations reached 1 … 2 mm, which for their effect on buildings and structures is within normal limits. Originality. A comparison of the deformed state obtained during numerical analysis and geodetic monitoring, which proved the high accuracy of the prognostic calculation. Practical value. The results of a comprehensive analysis of the mine shaft of the Dnipro Metro made it possible to carry out a test the design solution and ensure high strength and stability of the lining made of bored piles.