Study on the influence of collecting parameters of deep-sea seafloor massive sulfide on ore collecting characteristics

Abstract

The commercialization of deep-sea mining has put forward strict requirements for ore collection output, ore collection efficiency, and environmental disturbance. However, the research of seafloor massive sulfide collection is in the initial stage. The influence of ore-collecting working parameters on the ore-collecting performance is not clear. In order to realize the commercial exploitation of deep-sea minerals, it is urgent to carry out the analysis and research on the influence of ore-collecting parameters on ore-collecting characteristics. The computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method is adopted in this paper to carry out numerical simulation research. Through the qualitative and quantitative analysis method, the influence law of six ore collecting parameters on ore collecting characteristics was analyzed. On this basis, the prediction model of ore-collecting characteristics and the optimal selection of ore-collecting parameters are proposed. Through the research, it is suggested to select 133.2 kg/s flow suction for ore collecting hard pipe; 60 rpm rotation speed is recommended for the mining head. It is recommended to select mining areas with the mineral density of 3000 kg/m3 for collection. The collection stage should be broken as far as possible to the 25 mm chip size. The recommended cutting depth is 224 mm if the strength and system metrics are met. The research of this paper provides a theoretical basis for the practice of deep-sea ore collection and has guiding significance for the selection of ore collection parameters, structural optimization design, and other engineering problems.