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，钾肥生产价值为56亿美元，预计未来20年钾肥生产商将在该省投资164亿美元。腐蚀，特别是混凝土腐蚀，是钾矿和钾厂运营的一个重要安全和环境问题。 由于钾碱生产中氯化物含量高，钾碱厂环境中的混凝土腐蚀加速。 混凝土中钢筋的锈蚀导致混凝土开裂和剥落。 本研究计划的目的是通过国际矿物创新研究所（IMII）与Mosaic、Agrium、Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan和BHP Billiton合作，测试聚苯乙烯磺酸盐涂层钢筋限制氯化物进入钢筋表面的有效性，以限制钢筋腐蚀。 还将研究混凝土成分对腐蚀程度的影响。混凝土腐蚀的综合研究将涉及电化学实验和使用加拿大光源（CLS）的多光束同步辐射研究。 这项研究计划将提供相当多的信息涂层钢筋和混凝土组合物的影响，减轻混凝土腐蚀。 该研究计划是萨斯喀彻温省一项更广泛的倡议的一部分，旨在了解各种形式的腐蚀对钾盐矿和选矿厂运营的影响，以便制定腐蚀缓解策略。 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，这也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.**