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，这需要采矿和开采技术的进步，使之能够在具有挑战性的环境中进行可持续的采矿挖掘，例如深水和北极矿山。然而，竞争性采矿面临的最大挑战涉及生产率、安全、能源限制以及更高的环境要求。为了解决这些问题，人们需要深入和全面地了解从大型采矿系统到子系统、从组成部分到相互耦合的微/纳米现象的采矿问题的多维性。拟议中的探索计划旨在应对其中一些挑战。与传统的采矿工程方法不同，申请者在采矿系统的多尺度和多物理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”的要求非常一致，从而在采矿领域带来巨大的知识进步和创新。本研究计划涉及三个综合和跨学科的关键研究重点，如下：主题1：可再生矿井通风、供暖和冷却：重点研究利用显热和潜热提取和储存“热”和“冷”热能用于矿井加热和冷却的基本和应用方面。将研究岩石热能储存，用于矿山加热和冷却，并结合碳固存。喷雾冷冻空气加热与冰浆相结合也将用于深井空气加热和冷却。将建立数学模型，并进行概念验证的实验验证。主题2：基于可再生能源的人工地面冻结(AGF)：重点是开发热虹吸管与基于相变材料(PCM)的“冷”储能，用于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与相变材料中的储存率之间的相互作用。我们的实验室将制作一个实物模型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活跃的制冷工厂。主题3：为开发连续掘进机而建立的微波-热-机械-工具相互作用的模型：目的是发展四向耦合的数学模型，该数学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。并对连续掘进机预处理液与刀具的相互作用进行了研究。从长远来看，拟议的三个相互关联的研究主题旨在为提高采矿作业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.