Development of multiphysics mathematical models for sustainable minerals and energy extraction

在地表发现的世界级矿藏越来越少，这需要采矿和提取技术的进步，以便在具有挑战性的环境中（如深海和北极矿山）进行可持续的采矿挖掘。然而，竞争性采矿面临的最困难的挑战是生产力、安全、能源限制以及环境要求的增加。为了解决这些问题，需要深入和全面地理解采矿问题的多维性，从大型采矿系统到子系统，再到组件，再到相互耦合的微/纳米尺度现象。提出的探索计划旨在解决其中的一些挑战。与传统的采矿工程方法不同，申请人在采矿系统多尺度和多物理场建模方面的专业知识与开发基于各种尺度和物理现象的新型“工具”的要求非常吻合，从而实现了采矿领域的巨大知识进步和创新。课题1：可再生矿井通风、采暖与制冷：重点研究“热”与“冷”热能的提取与储存，利用显热与潜热进行矿井采暖与制冷的基础与应用。研究了岩石热能储存与固碳相结合的矿井采暖降温技术。并对喷雾冷冻空气加热与冰浆耦合的深部矿井空气加热和冷却进行了评价。数学模型将与概念验证的实验验证一起开发。主题2：基于可再生能源的人工地下冻结（AGF）：重点关注热虹吸与基于相变材料（PCM）的AGF“冷”储能相结合的发展。它的目的是发展一个新的共轭数学模型，能够评估热虹吸的冷萃取和PCM的储存速率之间的相互作用。物理模型将在我们的实验室进行验证和概念验证。这项技术将使该系统能够全年冻结地面，而无需在夏季运行主动制冷装置。主题3：连续掘进机开发中的微波-热-机械-工具相互作用建模：旨在建立能够模拟微波辐射对岩石传热和微裂缝影响的四向耦合数学模型，从而降低岩石的整体强度。本文还研究了连续开挖机的预调节与刀具的相互作用。从长期来看，拟议的三个相互关联的研究主题旨在为改善采矿业务的可持续性铺平道路，特别是在具有挑战性的环境中进行采矿。

Fewer world class mineral deposits are being found at the surface which requires advances in mining and extraction technologies that will enable sustainable mining excavations in challenging environments, such as deep and arctic mines. The most difficult challenges to competitive mining, however, relate to productivity, safety, energy constraints, as well as increased environmental requirements. To address these issues, one requires in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the multidimensionality of mining problems ranging from large mining system to subsystem to component to micro/nanoscale phenomena coupled to each other. The proposed Discovery Program aims to tackle some of these challenges. Unlike traditional mining engineering approach, the applicant's expertise in multiscale and multiphysics modeling of mining system is very well aligned with the requirements to enable the development of novel "tools" based on various scale and physical phenomena leading to great knowledge advances and innovation in mining. This research program, addresses three integrated and interdisciplinary key research priorities, as follows: Theme 1: Renewable mine ventilation, heating and cooling: This focuses on the fundamental and applied aspect of "hot" and "cold" thermal energy extraction and storage using sensible and latent heat for mine heating and cooling. Rock thermal energy storage will be investigated for mine heating and cooling coupled with carbon sequestration. Spray freezing air heating coupled with ice slurry will also be evaluated for deep mine air heating and cooling. Mathematical model will be developed along with experimental validation for proof-of-concept. Theme 2: Renewable energy-based artificial ground freezing (AGF): This focuses on the development of thermosyphon coupled with "cold" energy storage based on phase change materials (PCM) for AGF. It aims at the development of a novel conjugate mathematical model capable of assessing the interaction between cold extraction in thermosyphon and storage rate in PCM. A physical model will be made in our laboratory for validation and proof-of-concept. This technique will enable the system to freeze the ground for whole year round without the need to run an active refrigeration plant in the summer. Theme 3: Modeling of microwave-thermal-mechanical-tool interactions for the development of continuous excavation machine: This aims to develop four-way coupling of mathematical model that can simulate the effect of microwave irradiation to the heat transfer and microfractures in the rocks, which reduces the overall strength of the rock. The interactions of the preconditioned with cutting tool for continuous excavation machine will also be investigated. In the long-term, the proposed three inter-related research themes are intended to pave the way to improve the sustainability of mining operations, especially for mining in challenging environments.