Materials of devices and equipment for deep-sea mining of manganese resources

Abstract

The extraction of oceanic ores will make it possible to extract a complex of strategic metals: manganese, nickel, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc. The following materials are considered as cost-effective mineral raw in the ocean: manganese nodules - MN (Mn, Ni, Cu, Co), cobalt-rich manganese crusts - CMC (Co, Mn, Ni), deep-sea polymetallic sulfides - DPS (Cu, Zn, Au, Ag). As an example, the Indian concept of deepwater development is described, which proposes to use the pipeline as a transport of minerals from the bottom. The calculation of the pipeline transportation system with the indication of shortcomings is given. As an alternative, it is proposed to use a lift of a self-propelled device for minerals on a cable made of special material. The article presents a device for deep-sea mining of MN with pressure drop chambers. The method of application of this device for collecting CMC is replacing the pressure drop chambers with the clamshell type device. The grab must be made of strong and at the same time light material and can be equipped with a hydraulic hammer for preliminary destruction. Elements of the shock system of the hydraulic hammer must also be adapted to the conditions of deep-sea mining by using special metal alloys for manufacturing. The destroyed mass is temporarily stored in a hopper mounted on a collector, which can be made of nylon mesh stretched between plates of titanium alloys. The calculation of the performance of the device for deep-sea mining from is presented.