Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Prospecting University, Moscow, Russia:

V. P. Drobadenko, Research Manager, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, drobadenko@mail.ru
A. L. Vilmis, Acting Head of Chair, Associate Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
O. A. Lukonina, Associate Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
S. V. Markelov, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

The article briefly describes the mineral resource potential of ferromagnesian nodules in the Russian bordered region of the Clarion-Clipperton valley in the middle part of Pacific Ocean with a base depth of 4800 m. The systematization compiled by the authors of deep-water pipeline technologies for the seabed and ocean floor mining is given. The design and the principle of operation of chamber feeding devices were analyzed in a view of the systems of hydrodynamic unloading of the formed hydraulic mixture into the transport pipelines. As a result, to intensify the process of pulp preparation and getting stable supply flow of high density (more than 30% by volume) in a vertical pipeline, the feeding device using the kinetic energy of coaxial whirled jets (the effect of an artificial tornado or vortex) was developed and tested in marine conditions. We proposed the technology of interaction of new feeding device with pulse (classification) column, where the washed fine (clay) particles transported into the mined-out space and the grain part of the rock mass was sent to the feeding device and then on board the vessel. The authors developed technology of airlifting suction side with intensifying of the suction process by mechanical-hydraulic scarifying application. It has successfully passed full-scale testing aboard the mining vessel Samicor at the diamond shelf of Namibia with an increase in hourly productivity by more than 2.5 times. As a result, it is proposed to consider the basic technological scheme with the use of the developed technical means in the design of the marine mining complex for the output of deposits of ferromagnesian nodules, in the site allocated to Russia in the zone of Clarion-Clipperton of the middle part Pacific Ocean.

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