Development of multiphysics mathematical models for sustainable minerals and energy extraction

在地表发现的世界级矿床越来越少，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进行可持续的采矿挖掘，例如深海和北极矿山。然而，竞争性采矿面临的最困难挑战涉及生产力、安全、能源限制以及环境要求的提高。为了解决这些问题，人们需要深入和全面地了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/纳米现象。 拟议的探索计划旨在解决其中一些挑战。与传统的采矿工程方法不同，申请人在采矿系统的多尺度和多物理场建模方面的专业知识非常符合要求，能够根据各种尺度和物理现象开发新的“工具”，从而实现采矿方面的巨大知识进步和创新。该研究计划涉及三个综合性和跨学科的关键研究重点，如下：主题1：可再生矿井通风，加热和冷却：这侧重于“热”和“冷”热能提取和存储的基本和应用方面，使用显热和潜热进行矿井加热和冷却。岩石热能储存将被研究用于矿井加热和冷却以及碳封存。还将评估喷雾冷冻空气加热与冰浆结合用于深矿井空气加热和冷却。将沿着开发数学模型并进行实验验证，以验证概念。主题二：基于可再生能源的人工地面冻结（AGF）：重点是开发基于相变材料（PCM）的热虹吸与“冷”能量储存相结合的AGF。它旨在开发一种新的共轭数学模型，能够评估热虹吸管中的冷提取和PCM中的存储速率之间的相互作用。将在我们的实验室中制作物理模型，以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，而不需要在夏季运行一个活跃的制冷设备。主题三：微波-热-机械-工具相互作用的建模用于连续挖掘机的开发：这旨在开发四路耦合的数学模型，该模型可以模拟微波辐射对岩石中的热传递和微破裂的影响，从而降低岩石的整体强度。此外，本研究亦将探讨预处理与连续式挖掘机切削工具之交互作用。从长远来看，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.