TY - JOUR
T1 - Size reduction of CCZ polymetallic nodules under repeated impact fragmentation
AU - van Wijk, J. M.
AU - de Hoog, E.
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Polymetallic nodules provide an alternative source of valuable metals. Nodules from the seabed of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a prospective mining area, are typically abundant at depths of around 5 km. Mining these nodules comprises excavation or pick-up of nodules and hydraulic transport of nodules from the seafloor to the surface. The particle size distribution of the nodules, an important design parameter, will change during transport under influence of different processes. One of these processes is impact fragmentation, especially occurring in centrifugal pumps. Recent research has led to improved understanding of impact fragmentation of polymetallic nodules, but quantification of the degradation process still is an open question due to scarcity of breakage data. In this paper we present a detailed analysis of nodule strengths and stresses occurring during impact and we propose an impact fragmentation model based on limited breakage data. The model is compared with the experiments and we comment on application of this model in engineering practice.
AB - Polymetallic nodules provide an alternative source of valuable metals. Nodules from the seabed of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a prospective mining area, are typically abundant at depths of around 5 km. Mining these nodules comprises excavation or pick-up of nodules and hydraulic transport of nodules from the seafloor to the surface. The particle size distribution of the nodules, an important design parameter, will change during transport under influence of different processes. One of these processes is impact fragmentation, especially occurring in centrifugal pumps. Recent research has led to improved understanding of impact fragmentation of polymetallic nodules, but quantification of the degradation process still is an open question due to scarcity of breakage data. In this paper we present a detailed analysis of nodule strengths and stresses occurring during impact and we propose an impact fragmentation model based on limited breakage data. The model is compared with the experiments and we comment on application of this model in engineering practice.
KW - Deep ocean mining
KW - Impact fragmentation
KW - Particle breakage
KW - Polymetallic nodules
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088270776&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.rineng.2020.100154
DO - 10.1016/j.rineng.2020.100154
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85088270776
SN - 2590-1230
VL - 7
JO - Results in Engineering
JF - Results in Engineering
M1 - 100154
ER -