Mitigation of concrete corrosion in potash mine and milling operations

自然资源部门是加拿大经济的重要组成部分。在加拿大开采的许多自然资源中，钾肥开采集中在萨斯喀彻温省。钾肥开采在加拿大创造了大量就业机会，2013年，加拿大的钾肥产量为56亿美元，预计未来20年，该省的钾肥生产商将投资164亿美元。腐蚀，特别是混凝土的腐蚀，对钾矿和工厂的运营来说是一个重大的安全和环境问题。由于钾肥生产中的氯离子含量较高，在钾肥厂的环境中会加速混凝土的腐蚀。混凝土中钢筋的锈蚀会导致混凝土的开裂和剥落。这项研究计划将通过国际矿物创新研究所(IMII)与Mosaic、Agrium、加拿大萨斯喀彻温省的Potash Corporation和必和必拓合作进行，目的是测试聚苯乙烯磺酸盐涂层钢筋在限制氯离子进入钢筋表面以限制钢筋腐蚀的有效性。还将调查混凝土成分对发生腐蚀程度的影响。混凝土腐蚀的综合研究将包括使用加拿大光源(CLS)的多个光束线进行的电化学实验和同步辐射研究。这项研究计划将提供大量关于涂层钢筋和混凝土成分对减轻混凝土腐蚀的影响的信息。这项研究计划是萨斯喀彻温省一个更广泛的计划的一部分，该计划旨在了解各种形式的腐蚀对钾矿和选矿厂运营的影响，从而制定腐蚀缓解策略。扩大钾肥行业将需要减少对环境的影响并提高安全性，以确保可持续性，这是本计划寻求解决的问题。**

The natural resource sector is an important part of Canada's economy. Of the many natural resources that are mined in Canada, potash mining is centred in Saskatchewan. Potash mining has created a significant number of jobs in Canada, and, in 2013, potash production was valued at $5.6 billion with $16.4 billion worth of investment by potash producers expected in the province over the next 20 years. Corrosion, particularly concrete corrosion, represents a significant safety and environmental issue for potash mine and mill operations. Concrete corrosion is accelerated in a potash mill environment because of the high chloride content in potash production. The corrosion of reinforcing bar (rebar) in concrete leads to the cracking and spalling of concrete. The objective of this research program, to be performed in collaboration with Mosaic, Agrium, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and BHP Billiton through the International Mineral Innovation Institute (IMII), is to test the effectiveness of polystyrene sulfonate coated rebar on restricting chloride ingress to the rebar surface so as to restrict the corrosion of rebar. The effect of concrete composition on the degree of corrosion that occurs will also be investigated. The comprehensive study of concrete corrosion will involve electrochemical experiments and synchrotron radiation studies using multiple beamlines at the Canadian Light Source (CLS). This research program will provide considerable information on the effect of coated rebar and concrete composition on mitigating concrete corrosion. This research program is part of a broader Saskatchewan based initiative to understand the effect of various forms of corrosion on potash mine and mill operations so to develop corrosion mitigation strategies. Expanding the potash industry will require a reduction in environmental impact and increase in safety to ensure sustainability, which this program seeks to address.**