Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Mineral analyses'

Diese Forschung zielt darauf ab, den Einsatz realistischer Mineralmikrostrukturen in Mineralverarbeitungssimulationen Simulationen von Aufbereitungsprozessen zu ermöglichen. Insbesondere Zerkleinerungsprozesse, wie z.B. das Brechen und Mahlen von mineralischen Rohmaterialien, werden stark von der mineralischen Mikrostruktur beeinflusst, da die Textur und die Struktur der vielen Körner und ihre mikromechanischen Eigenschaften das makroskopische Bruchverhalten bestimmen. Ein Beispiel: Stellen wir uns vor, wir haben ein mineralisches Material, das im Wesentlichen aus Körnern zweier verschiedener Mineralphasen, wie Quarz und Feldspat, besteht. Wenn die mikromechanischen Eigenschaften dieser beiden Phasen unterschiedlich sind, wird sich dies wahrscheinlich auf das makroskopische Bruchverhalten auswirken. Unter der Annahme, dass die Körner eines der Minerale bei geringeren Belastungen brechen, ist es wahrscheinlich, dass sich ein Riss durch einen Stein dieses Materials durch die schwächeren Körner ausbreitet. Tatsächlich ist dies eine wichtige Eigenschaft für die Erzaufbereitung. Um wertvolle Mineralien aus einem Erz zu gewinnen, ist es wichtig, sie aus dem kommerziell wertlosen Material, in dem sie vorkommen, zu befreien. Dazu ist es wichtig zu wissen und zu verstehen, wie das Material auf Korngrößenebene bricht. Um diesen Bruch simulieren zu können, ist es wichtig, realistische Modelle der mineralischen Mikrostrukturen zu verwenden. Diese Studie zeigt, wie solche realistischen zweidimensionalen Mikrostrukturen auf der Grundlage der quantitativen Mikrostrukturanalyse am Computer erzeugt werden können. Darüber hinaus zeigt die Studie, wie diese synthetischen Mikrostrukturen dann in die gut etablierte Diskrete-Elemente-Methode integriert werden können, bei der der Bruch von mineralischem Material auf Korngrößenebene simuliert werden kann.:List of Acronyms VII List of Latin Symbols IX List of Greek Symbols XV 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Motivation for using realistic microstructures in Discrete Element Method (DEM) 1 1.2 Possibilities for using realistic mineral microstructures in DEM simulations . 4 1.3 Objective and disposition of the thesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 Background 9 2.1 Discrete Element Method (DEM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2.1.1 Fundamentals of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) . . . . . . . . 9 2.1.2 Applications of DEM in comminution science . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 2.1.3 Limitations of DEM in comminution science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 2.2 Quantitative Microstructural Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 2.2.1 Fundamentals of the Quantitative Microstructural Analysis . . . . . . 29 2.2.2 Applied QMA in mineral processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 2.2.3 Applicability of the QMA for the synthesis of realistic microstructures 49 3 Synthesis of realistic mineral microstructures for DEM simulations 51 3.1 Development of a computer-assisted QMA for the analysis of real and synthetic mineral microstructures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 3.1.1 Fundamentals of the computer-assisted QMA . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 3.1.2 The requirements for the false-color image. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 3.1.3 The conversion of a given real mineral microstructure into a false-color image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 3.1.4 Implementation of the point, line, and area analysis . . . . . . . . . 59 3.1.5 Selection of appropriate QMA parameters for analyzing two-dimensional microstructures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 3.1.6 Summary of the principles of the adapted Quantitative Microstructural Analysis (QMA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 3.2 Analysis of possible strategies for the microstructure synthesis . . . . . . . . 71 3.3 Implementation of the drawing method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 3.3.1 Drawing of a single grain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 XVIII List of Greek Symbols 3.3.2 Drawing of multiple grains, which form a synthetic microstructure . . 81 3.3.3 Synthesizing mineral microstructures consisting of multiple phases . 85 3.4 The final program for microstructure analysis and synthesis . . . . . . . . . 89 3.4.1 Synthesis and analysis of an example microstructure . . . . . . . . . 90 3.4.2 Procedure for generating a realistic synthetic microstructure of a given real microstructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 4 Validation of the synthesis approach 103 4.1 Methodical considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 4.1.1 The basic idea of the validation procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 4.1.2 The experimental realizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 4.2 Basic indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 4.2.1 Considerations for the basic indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 4.2.2 Realization and evaluation of the real basic indenter test . . . . . . . 114 4.2.3 Realization and evaluation of the simulated basic indenter test . . . 127 4.2.4 Conclusions on the basic indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 4.3 Extended indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 4.3.1 Basic considerations for the extended indenter test . . . . . . . . . . 139 4.3.2 Realization and evaluation of the real extended indenter test . . . . 142 4.3.3 Realization and evaluation of the simulated extended indenter test . 154 4.3.4 Conclusions on the extended indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 4.4 Particle bed test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 4.4.1 Basic considerations for the particle bed test . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 4.4.2 Realization and evaluation of the real particle bed test . . . . . . . . 176 4.4.3 Realization and evaluation of the simulated particle bed test . . . . . 188 4.4.4 Conclusions on the particle bed test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 5 Conclusions and directions for future development 205 6 References 211 List of Figures 229 List of Tables 235 Appendix 237
This research aims to make it possible to use realistic mineral microstructures in simulations of mineral processing. In particular, comminution processes, such as the crushing and grinding of raw mineral materials, are highly aff ected by the mineral microstructure, since the texture and structure of the many grains and their micromechanical properties determine the macroscopic fracture behavior. To illustrate this, consider a mineral material that essentially consists of grains of two diff erent mineral phases, such as quartz and feldspar. If the micromechanical properties of these two phases are diff erent, this will likely have an impact on the macroscopic fracture behavior. Assuming that the grains of one of the minerals break at lower loads, it is likely that a crack through a stone of that material will spread through the weaker grains. In fact, this is an important property for ore processing. In order to extract valuable minerals from an ore, it is important to liberate them from the commercially worthless material in which they are found. For this, it is essential to know and understand how the material breaks at grain-size level. To be able to simulate this breakage, it is important to use realistic models of the mineral microstructures. This study demonstrates how such realistic two-dimensional microstructures can be generated on the computer based on quantitative microstructural analysis. Furthermore, the study shows how these synthetic microstructures can then be incorporated into the well-established discrete element method, where the breakage of mineral material can be simulated at grain-size level.:List of Acronyms VII List of Latin Symbols IX List of Greek Symbols XV 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Motivation for using realistic microstructures in Discrete Element Method (DEM) 1 1.2 Possibilities for using realistic mineral microstructures in DEM simulations . 4 1.3 Objective and disposition of the thesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 Background 9 2.1 Discrete Element Method (DEM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2.1.1 Fundamentals of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) . . . . . . . . 9 2.1.2 Applications of DEM in comminution science . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 2.1.3 Limitations of DEM in comminution science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 2.2 Quantitative Microstructural Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 2.2.1 Fundamentals of the Quantitative Microstructural Analysis . . . . . . 29 2.2.2 Applied QMA in mineral processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 2.2.3 Applicability of the QMA for the synthesis of realistic microstructures 49 3 Synthesis of realistic mineral microstructures for DEM simulations 51 3.1 Development of a computer-assisted QMA for the analysis of real and synthetic mineral microstructures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 3.1.1 Fundamentals of the computer-assisted QMA . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 3.1.2 The requirements for the false-color image. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 3.1.3 The conversion of a given real mineral microstructure into a false-color image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 3.1.4 Implementation of the point, line, and area analysis . . . . . . . . . 59 3.1.5 Selection of appropriate QMA parameters for analyzing two-dimensional microstructures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 3.1.6 Summary of the principles of the adapted Quantitative Microstructural Analysis (QMA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 3.2 Analysis of possible strategies for the microstructure synthesis . . . . . . . . 71 3.3 Implementation of the drawing method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 3.3.1 Drawing of a single grain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 XVIII List of Greek Symbols 3.3.2 Drawing of multiple grains, which form a synthetic microstructure . . 81 3.3.3 Synthesizing mineral microstructures consisting of multiple phases . 85 3.4 The final program for microstructure analysis and synthesis . . . . . . . . . 89 3.4.1 Synthesis and analysis of an example microstructure . . . . . . . . . 90 3.4.2 Procedure for generating a realistic synthetic microstructure of a given real microstructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 4 Validation of the synthesis approach 103 4.1 Methodical considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 4.1.1 The basic idea of the validation procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 4.1.2 The experimental realizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 4.2 Basic indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 4.2.1 Considerations for the basic indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 4.2.2 Realization and evaluation of the real basic indenter test . . . . . . . 114 4.2.3 Realization and evaluation of the simulated basic indenter test . . . 127 4.2.4 Conclusions on the basic indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 4.3 Extended indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 4.3.1 Basic considerations for the extended indenter test . . . . . . . . . . 139 4.3.2 Realization and evaluation of the real extended indenter test . . . . 142 4.3.3 Realization and evaluation of the simulated extended indenter test . 154 4.3.4 Conclusions on the extended indenter test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 4.4 Particle bed test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 4.4.1 Basic considerations for the particle bed test . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 4.4.2 Realization and evaluation of the real particle bed test . . . . . . . . 176 4.4.3 Realization and evaluation of the simulated particle bed test . . . . . 188 4.4.4 Conclusions on the particle bed test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 5 Conclusions and directions for future development 205 6 References 211 List of Figures 229 List of Tables 235 Appendix 237

The Kalgoorlie Terrane of the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, containing about 60% (~11 Mt) of the world’s known komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide resources, is the world’s best studied and economically most important province for this mineral deposit type. Although increasingly mature in terms of nickel exploration, the Kalgoorlie Terrane is believed to contain significant additional undiscovered nickel endowment. Using the data-rich Kalgoorlie Terrane, this thesis develops a benchmark methodology that combines geological knowledge with spatial analysis and mathematical-statistical methods to estimate undiscovered nickel resources.In the proposed methodology, nickel sulphide deposits are considered realisations of stochastic mineralisation processes and are analysed within the following framework. Komatiites in the Kalgoorlie Terrane constitute the full sample space or the permissive tract. Disjoint, naturally bound individual komatiite bodies that make up the sample space are used as the spatial analysis units. Some komatiite bodies within the sample space contain nickel sulphide deposits (mineralised) and others do not (unmineralised). In this study, the most explored mineralised komatiite bodies constitute local control areas against which nickel resources in the less explored komatiite bodies can be assessed. The concept of local control areas is analogous to the concept of global control areas which are well explored parts of permissive areas for particular deposit types worldwide.Spatial point pattern analyses showed that the spatial distribution of mineralised komatiite bodies within the sample space is clustered. In contrast, nickel sulphide deposits in individual komatiite bodies are either randomly distributed or dispersed, and not clustered. This absence of deposit clustering within individual komatiite bodies indicates that the intensity of the deposit pattern of each komatiite body may be adequately expressed as deposit density (number of deposits per km[superscript]2). In global quantitative resource assessments, regression analysis of the well established power law relationship between deposit density and size of global control areas provides a robust method for estimating the number of deposits.In this study a power law relationship reminiscent of that in global models was found between the sizes of control areas and deposit density. In addition, this study establishes another power law relationship between nickel endowment density (nickel metal per km[superscript]2) and the sizes of control areas. Deposit and endowment density regression models based on the two power laws suggested that, respectively, 59 to 210 (mean 114) nickel sulphide deposits and 3.0 to 10.0 Mt (mean 5.5 Mt) nickel metal remained undiscovered in demonstrably mineralised komatiite bodies within the Kalgoorlie Terrane. More emphasis is placed on endowment density which may be more intrinsic to the Kalgoorlie Terrane than deposit density because deposit counts are confounded by definitional ambiguities emanating from orebody complexities. Thus the spatial pattern of mineral deposits may not coincide with the spatial pattern of mineral endowment as demonstrated by spatial centrographic analyses in this study.To estimate the amount of undiscovered nickel metal in the entire Kalgoorlie Terrane and not just in the demonstrably mineralised komatiite bodies, Zipf’s law was applied. According to Zipf’s law, the size of the largest deposit is twice the size of the second, thrice the size of the third, four times the fourth, and so on. Based on the currently known size of Mt. Keith deposit, the largest nickel sulphide deposit in the Kalgoorlie Terrane, Zipf’s law indicates that the terrane is nearly mature in terms of nickel exploration and contains only about 3.0 Mt nickel metal in undiscovered resources. The collective implication of the regression and Zipf’s law estimates is that in the Kalgoorlie Terrane, no significant nickel resources are likely to be contained in the known komatiites that are presently not demonstrably mineralised. However if, as widely speculated, the actual size of Mt. Keith deposit is about twice the currently known size, Zipf’s law predicts 10.0 Mt nickel metal in undiscovered nickel endowment for the Kalgoorlie Terrane. The additional 7.0 Mt undiscovered nickel metal endowment is attributed to opening up of a new exploration search space through deeper resource delineation, within an otherwise nearly mature terrane.

Il massiccio di Beni Bousera (Marocco) è formato da diverse unità geologiche composte prevalentemente da rocce metamorfiche molto simili a quelle che si trovano nel massiccio di Ronda (Spagna). Queste due catene montuose erano connesse prima dell’estensione (iniziata nel Miocene inferiore) che le ha separate lasciando il posto al mare di Alborán. Questo studio sarà incentrato soltanto sul massiccio marocchino, in particolare sull’unità peridotitica di Beni Bousera. Questa unità è stata suddivisa in quattro domini, ognuno dei quali ha specifiche caratteristiche petrologiche e geochimiche, che sono il risultato di diverse condizioni metamorfiche e di diversi regimi tettonici. L’obiettivo di questo lavoro è di caratterizzare, dal punto di vista petrologico, un campione che è stato prelevato dal massiccio di Beni Bousera, nella zona costiera del mare di Alborán e di determinare a quale dominio esso appartiene.

Une nouvelle méthodologie fondée sur l’interfaçage de la géochimie et de la biologie a été utilisée pour étudier la durabilité d’un système d’agriculture irriguée face aux changements globaux (climat et urbanisation). L’étude de sa durabilité nécessite une vision dynamique spatio-temporelle de l’évolution d’un agrosystème irrigué, ici le système « irrigation – prairie (plante) – sol – nappe ». Pour cela, deux démarches sont utilisées : l’étude de terrain et la modélisation. L’étude de terrain comprend des suivis temporels et spatiaux de la qualité des eaux de surface, de la nappe phréatique et de la qualité du foin des prairies. La modélisation consiste en un modèle biogéochimique prenant en compte l’ensemble des compartiments réactionnels du système. Le fil directeur est constitué par les mécanismes d’acquisition de la composition chimique de l’eau lors de son transfert dans le sol depuis eau d’irrigation jusqu’à l’eau de nappe. Ces mécanismes sont étudiés du double point de vue de leurs bilans géochimiques et des réactions sol / solution. L’acquisition de données porte ainsi sur : (1) la composition chimique des eaux d’irrigation et des eaux souterraines de la nappe ; (2) la minéralogie des sols ; (3) la nature des engrais apporté ; (4) la quantité des éléments chimiques prélevés et exportés par les plantes. Le modèle biogéochimique consiste à interfacer le modèle de culture STICS et le modèle de géochimie PHREEQC. Ce modèle est capable de rendre compte de l’évolution des eaux lors de leur parcours dans le sol et de mettre en évidence les processus majeurs qui déterminent la qualité de l’eau ; en sortie, il permet d’établir des indicateurs géochimiques pertinents pour la gestion du système. Cette méthode est appliquée aux prairies irriguées en la Crau, au Sud de France. Le système d’irrigation gravitaire par les eaux de la Durance depuis le 16e siècle sur la Crau a construit un système agricole durable en amenant des alluvions sur les terres irriguées, sur lequel poussent les prairies (le foin de Crau (AOP)). De plus cette irrigation participe à plus de 70% au renouvellement des eaux de la nappe phréatique. L’analyse des données sur une longue durée (1960-2013), l’acquisition de données récentes et la modélisation montrent l’originalité et la durabilité de cet agrosystème irrigué et sa résilience face à une augmentation de température de 2°C, tant en ce qui concerne les rendements que la qualité du foin. Cependant dans la perspective des changements globaux, les prévisions tablent sur une disponibilité en eau pour l’irrigation en diminution, de plus des changements d’occupation du sol (10% de la surface totale), avec une réduction des prairies irriguées. Ceci risque de remettre en cause la durabilité de l’agrosystème irrigué et partant l’approvisionnement en eau à partir de la nappe de toute l’économie locale (300 000 habitants, les industries lourdes du site de Fos-sur-Mer)
A new methodology based on geochemistry and biology interfacing to study the sustainability of an irrigated agriculture system in the face of global changes (climate and urban sprawl). It requires construction of a spatio-temporal view of the ”irrigation - meadow (plant) - soil - groundwater” system evolution. Thereby two approaches are used : the field study and the modeling. The field study includes temporal and spatial survey of waters quality, plant quality and used fertilizers. The modeling consists of a biogeochemical model taking into account all the factors reaction of the system. The main theme is the mechanisms of acquiring the chemical composition of water during its transfer the soil horizon from irrigation water to groundwater. These mechanisms are studied from the double point of view of their geochemical balances and soil / solution reactions. The data acquisition thus relates to : (1) the chemical composition of irrigation water and groundwater ; (2) the soil mineralogy ; (3) the nature of the provided fertilizer ; (4) quantity of chemical elements uptaken by plants. The biogeochemical model consists in interfacing the crop model (STICS) and the geochemical model (PHREEQC). This model is able to perform the chemical evolution of waters during their pathway in the soil and to highlight the major processes that determine the water quality ; in output, it makes it possible to establish geochemical indicators relevant to the system management. The Crau is chosen as a demo area, South France, its grassland production is based on surface irrigation via channels withdrawn from the Durance River. Irrigation water is rich in minerals and trace elements thanks to alluvium brought, on which produce high quality hay that is regulated under appellation control since 1997. Additionally, this irrigation recharge the aquifer by 70% But it is threatened by global changes, which ultimately risks to compromising the sustainability of the irrigated grassland system. Data analysis over a long term (1960-2013), the acquisition of recent data and modeling show the originality and durability of this irrigated agrosystem and Its resilience to an increase in temperature by about 2°C, both in terms of yields and hay quality. However, according to future scenarios, declining of irrigation water is forecasted, and changes in land use by 10% of the total area, with a reduction in irrigated grassland areas. This may jeopardize the sustainability of the the irrigated agrosystem and thus the water supply for local use (300 000 inhabitants, the heavy industries of the Fos-sur-Mer site)

Orientador: Carlos Roberto de Souza Filho
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociencias
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T09:20:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Senna_JulianoAlvesde_D.pdf: 63737232 bytes, checksum: 420aa968e8b724cb3159057231ad922a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008
Resumo: Matérias primas cerâmicas (MP.C) naturais são materiais geológicos que exercem papel fundamental na economia de países mais desenvolvidos. Entretanto, no Brasil há uma tendência histórica em preterir investimentos na prospecção e explotação destes bens não metálicos em relação aos metálicos. Em função disso, os métodos de lavra até hoje utilizados são empíricos e o controle de qualidade precário, salvo alguns . poucos depósitos administrados por grandes grupos mineradores. Neste sentido, há uma clara lacuna tecnológica a ser preenchida neste setor no Brasil. A Espectroscopia de Reflectância (ER), baseada na faixa do visível e infravermelho de ondas curtas (0.4-2.5um), é uma ferramenta fundamental do sensoriamento remoto e eficaz na detecção de óxidos e hidróxidos de ferro e alumínio, carbonatos e filossilicatos. Seu uso potencial para caracterização espectro-mineral de MPCs é significativo, visto que não requer nenhuma preparação, é uma técnica rápida e de simples operacionalidade, e as análises podem ser feitas diretamente in situo Considerando as complexidades envolvidas nesta caracterização, os objetivos desta pesquisa foram: (i) avaliar a eficácia da ER em separar as faciologias dos minérios, (ii) propor modelos espectro mineralógicos dos depósitos, (iii) analisar as possibilidades de mapeamento dos minerais associados às jazidas, e (iv) determinar parâmetros que auxiliem na classificação dos minérios para uso industrial. Neste contexto, três importantes depósitos (peculiares e representativos metalotectos brasileiros) de MPCs foram escolhidos para investigação: (i) Pirofillita (Agalmatolito, para cerâmica refratária) em Mateus Leme (MG), (ii) Talco (para revestimentos cerâmicos) em Ponta Grossa (PR) e Caulinita (ball-clay, para louça sanitária e porcelana) em São Simão (SP). Em todos os depósitos, os materiais foram cuidadosamente classificados, seja quanto à composição mineral ou a aplicação industrial, com detecção dos principais minerais presentes e de espécimes ainda desconhecidas nos depósitos. Da mesma forma, o mapeamento interativo auxiliado por dados multiespectrais ASTER e espectros selecionados após a classificação, permitiu o reconhecimento espacial das abundâncias, concentrações e misturas minerais existentes nos depósitos. O sucesso da ER em caracterizar MPCs demonstrou a viabilidade.da técnica: (i) para o reconhecimento de fácies litológicas e fases minerais, (ii) para a investigação dos materiais in situ por equipamentos portáteis, (iii) para dar suporte ao planejamento de lavra de curto e longo prazo, e (iv) para aplicações multidisciplinares nos estágios pré e sinindustrialização. Desta forma, a pesquisa contemplou o objetivo de caracterizar os mais clássicos tipos de MPCs brasileiras, possibilitando o desenvolvimento de novas técnicas de explotação adequada a cada caso, considerando um controle de qualidade ideal. Adicionalmente, a análise integrada dos dados permitiu avanços no entendimento da geometria e gênese desses depósitos, os quais poderão ser utilizados em etapas futuras de prospecção dessas commodities.
Abstract: Raw ceramic materials (CM) are geological resources that play a fundamental role in the economy ofhigh1y developed countries. However, in Brazil there is a historical tendency in disregarding investments in the prospecting and exploitation of these non-metallic commodities, in contrast to the metallic equivalents. As a function of that, current mining approaches are yet too empirical and the quality control precarious, exception made to a few deposits administered by large mining companies. fu this sense, there has been a c1ear technological gap to be filled in this sector in Brazil. Reflectance Spectroscopy (RE), based on visible, near-inftared and shortwave inftared wayelengths, is a key remote sensing tool and effective in detecting Fe- and Al-bearing oxides and hydroxides, carbonates 8l1d phyllosilicates. Its potential use to the spectral-mineralogical characterization of CMs is significant, as it is a quick,operational, nondestructive technique that requires no sample preparation and that can be use for measuring materials in situo Considering the complexities involved in this characteyization, the objectives of this research were: (i) to evaluate the efficacy of ER in separating ores fades and associated rocks; (ii) to propose spectral-mineralogical models for the deposits, (iii) to analyze the possibility to map minerals associated to the deposits, and (iv) to determine parameters that might help in the c1assification of ores employed by the industry. In this context, three important deposits (peculiar and representative Brazilian metalotects) of ceramic materials were chosen for the investigation: (i) Pyrophyllite (agalmatolite, for reftactory pottery) in Mateus Leme (Minas Gerais), (ii) Ta1c (for ceramic coverings)in Ponta Grossa (PR) and, (iii) Kaolinite (ball-c1ay, for sanitaryware and china pottery) in São Simão (SP). In all of these deposits, the materials were carefu11y c1assified as regards both mineral composition and industrial applications, with detection of both foremost minerals and specimens yet unknown in the deposits. Similarly, the interactive mapping provided by the c1assification of ASTER multispectral data based on selected spectral endmembers permitted the spatial recognition of the abundances, concentrations and existing mineral mixtures in the deposits. The success of the ER in characterizing CMs showed the feasibility of the technique (i) for the recognition of lithologic facies and mineral phases, (ii) for the analysis of geologic materials in situ by portable instruments, (iii) to provide support to the planning of short- to longterm mining and, (iv) for multidisciplinary applications during pre- to contemporary-industrialization stages. Consequently, the main objective of the overall research to characterize a multitude of c1assic Brazilian CMs was achieved, allowing the development of new methods for quality controlled exploitation of distinct ceramic ores. Additionally, the integrated analysis of the data permitted advancements in the understanding of the geometry and genesis of those deposits, which could be utilized in future phases of prospecting of those commodities.
Doutorado
Metalogenese
Doutor em Ciências

Oxyborate minerals can represent the most important sink for boron in silica-undersaturated mineralised systems such as those of the Långban-type. Yet, their distribution, characteristics and parageneses are still not completely known. In order to test the hypothesis that the chemical compositions of oxyborates are essentially reflecting their local environments, the present study was set up. Additional observations regarding their assemblages, textures and structure would allow for a broader understanding of their formation and paragenetic interrelationships. A representative selection of Mg-(Fe-Mn) oxyborates and associated minerals have been characterised using optical microscopy, field emission electron probe microanalysis (FE-EPMA) with wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS), and Raman spectroscopy. The studied samples are from a suite of carbonate-hosted Fe-Mn oxide deposits in the western part of the Palaeoproterozoic Bergslagen ore province, in south central Sweden and include the minerals blatterite [(Mn2+,Mg)35(Mn3+,Fe3+)9Sb5+3(BO3)16O32], fredrikssonite [Mg2(Mn3+,Fe3+)BO5], chemically variable ludwigites [c. (Mg,Fe2+)2Fe3+BO5], orthopinakiolite [(Mg,Mn2+)2Mn3+BO5] and pinakiolite [(Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn3+,Sb5+)BO5]. The results show a correlation between the cation distribution in the oxyborates fredrikssonite, ludwigite, orthopinakiolite as well as pinakiolite, and their associated metal oxides consisting of hausmannite and spinel group minerals. This combined with the textural relationships of the phases suggests that the bulk contents of magnesium, manganese and iron in the oxyborates were sequestered from these pre-existing metal oxides. The chemically broad range of hausmannite and spinel group minerals associated with specifically fredrikssonite and ludwigite agrees with their more frequent general occurrence, compared to orthopinakiolite and pinakiolite. Raman spectroscopy verified the structural character of the studied oxyborates and indicates a potential connection between the presence of manganese and whether local BO33- ions are allowed to be positioned in symmetry sites which result in a split E´ mode. The results from this study contribute to the understanding of this family of minerals and their potential diversity in mineralised systems, and form a fundamental prerequisite for their potential application for boron isotope studies.
Mineral är kemiska föreningar eller rena grundämnen som har en väldefinierad kemisk sammansättning, ordnad kristallstruktur och är bildade av geologiska processer. Oxyborater är en typ av sådana föreningar vilka innehåller grundämnena bor och syre samt olika kombinationer av metalliska grundämnen. Oxyboratmineral kan bland annat bildas i och omkring malmfyndigheter där grundämnet kisel är ovanligt eller icke förekommande, och kan utgöra de viktigaste borföreningarna i vissa sådana miljöer. Genom att bättre förstå denna typ av mineral och de kemiska och bildningsmässiga samband som finns mellan dem och andra föreningar kan vi få en större kunskap om hur de bildas, samt hur olika grundämnen kan omfördelas i sådana geologiska system. I denna studie har ett representativt urval av oxyborater undersökts med hjälp av mikroskopi och mikrokemiska samt spektroskopiska metoder för att testa huruvida deras kemiska sammansättning är direkt kopplad till den lokala miljön. De studerade proven kommer från karbonatbundna mineraliseringar i den västra delen av malmprovinsen Bergslagen i södra Mellansverige. De mineral som undersökts närmre är oxyboraterna blatterit, fredrikssonit, ludwigit, ortopinakiolit och pinakiolit. Resultaten visar på direkta kemiska samband mellan uppträdandet av fredrikssonit, ludwigit, ortopinakiolit samt pinakiolit, och de lokalt bergartsbildande mineral som de samexisterar med. Den breda kemiska fördelningen hos de metall- och syreföreningar som finns i samma omgivning som fredrikssonit och ludwigit förklarar också varför dessa två oxyborater generellt är mera vanligt förekommande än ortopinakiolit och pinakiolit. De spektroskopiska analyserna verifierar den tidigare klassificeringen av de studerade oxyboraterna samt visar på ett möjligt samband mellan innehållet av metallen mangan, samt hur grundämnet bor förekommer i deras kristallstruktur. Resultaten från denna studie bidrar med en kombination av nya kemiska, paragenetiska och spektroskopiska data samt ökar förståelsen av dessa värdmineral för grundämnet bor i malmfyndigheter med låg eller ingen kiselhalt. Resultaten ger även en insikt i hur den kemiska sammansättningen potentiellt kan påverka kristallstrukturen hos dessa oxyborater.

The scrap metal recycling industry is a growing industry that plays an important role in the sustainability of a large global metal supply. Unfortunately, recycling lacks many standards, and test procedures in place for mineral processing. These standards and practices, if used in recycling, could aid recyclers in determining and achieving optimal separations for their plant.. New regulations for scrap imports into China make it difficult to obtain the metal recoveries that have been achieved in the past. In order to help scrap yards adhere to the new regulations the Eriez RCS eddy current separator system was tested in full scale. The principles this system uses, called circuit analysis, have been used by the mining industry for years, and can be used with any separation system. The Eriez RCS system surpassed the requirements of the Chinese regulations, while simultaneously increasing the recovery of metals. In order to further analyze eddy current separator circuits, tree analysis was attempted for single eddy current separators, as well as more complex circuits mimicked using locked cycle tests. The circuits used in the locked cycle test were a rougher-cleaner, a rougher-scavenger, and a rougher-cleaner-scavenger. It was found that it is possible to use tree analysis to compare different eddy current separator circuits using the same settings, however standards for this practice need to be established for it to be useful. Using the data analysis methods developed for this particular tree analysis, the rougher-cleaner-scavenger test had the best performance overall. This is the same result as the full scale testing done on the Eriez RCS system, but more testing should be conducted to confirm the data analysis techniques of calculating theoretical efficiency, recovery efficiency, and rejection efficiency.
Master of Science

nÃo hÃ
The dissertation is proposing to submit a descriptive analysis on the market of mineral waters. The approach of the subject is done, initially, through a brief history of his downing and panoramas of the world and national market. Through the data of total volume sold per thousand liters, the total amount sold in millions of real (Brazilian money), market share in volume and market share in value, the market for disposable mineral water of up to 19,999 ml of the designated area for analysis, it was possible to measure variables of economic significance as price, quality, market power and profits of companies in this segment. The methodology is applied in the calibration of parameters of a structural model of demand and supply. On the demand side, take the traditional model of Logit of discrete choice for differentiated products. In turn on the supply side it is assumed that firms compete to the Bertrand model.
A dissertaÃÃo se propÃe a apresentar uma anÃlise descritiva sobre o mercado de Ãguas minerais. A abordagem do tema à feita, inicialmente, atravÃs de um breve histÃrico do seu surgimento e panoramas mundial e nacional deste mercado. AtravÃs dos dados de valor total em volume vendido por mil litros, valor total vendido em milhÃes de reais, market share em volume e market share em valor, do mercado de Ãgua mineral descartÃvel de atà 19.999 ml da Ãrea delimitada para anÃlise, foi possÃvel mensurar variÃveis de significado econÃmico como preÃo, qualidade, poder de mercado e lucro das empresas deste segmento. A metodologia aplicada consiste na calibragem dos parÃmetros de um modelo estrutural de demanda e oferta. Pelo lado da demanda, assumimos o tradicional modelo de Logit de escolha discreta por produtos diferenciados. Por sua vez pelo lado da oferta parte-se do pressuposto que firmas competem à la Bertrand.

The design of mineral processing circuits is a complex, open-ended process.  While several tools and methodologies are available, extensive data collection accompanied with trial-and-error simulation are often the predominant technical measures utilized throughout the process.  Unfortunately, this approach often produces sub-optimal solutions, while squandering time and financial resources.  This work proposes several new and refined methodologies intended to assist during all stages of circuit design.  First, an algorithm has been developed to automatically determine circuit analytical solutions from a user-defined circuit configuration.  This analytical solution may then be used to rank circuits by traditional derivative-based linear circuit analysis or one of several newly proposed objective functions, including a yield indicator (the yield score) or a value-based indicator (the moment of inertia). Second, this work presents a four-reactor flotation model which considers both process kinetics and machine carrying capacity.  The simulator is suitable for scaling laboratory data to predict full-scale performance.  By first using circuit analysis to reduce the number of design alternatives, experimental and simulation efforts may be focused to those configurations which have the best likelihood of enhanced performance while meeting secondary process objectives.  Finally, this work verifies the circuit analysis methodology through a virtual experimental analysis of 17 circuit configurations.  A hypothetical electrostatic separator was implemented into a dynamic physics-based discrete element modeling environment.  The virtual experiment was used to quantify the selectivity of each circuit configuration, and the final results validate the initial circuit analysis projections.
Ph. D.

[Tuncated abstract] Soil is a relatively low cost and robust geochemical sampling medium and is an essential part of most mineral exploration programs. In areas of covered terrain, however, soils are less reliable as a sampling medium because they do not always develop the geochemical signature of the buried mineralisation; possibly a result of limited upward transport of ore related elements into the surficial overburden. As economic demands on the resources industry grow, mineral exploration continues to expand further into areas of covered terrain where the rewards of finding a new deposit relative to the risks of finding it may be comparatively low. Thus, improving the costeffectiveness of a geochemical exploration program requires a sound understanding of the mechanisms by which soil geochemical anomalies form in transported overburden. This thesis examines the deep biotic uplift of ore related elements by deep rooting vegetation as a mechanism for the development of soil geochemical anomalies within transported overburdens, in semi-arid and arid regions. '...' Vegetation and soils were analysed at two Au prospects in Western Australia: Berkley, Coolgardie and Torquata, 210 km south-east of Kambalda, in semi-arid Western Australia to complement both the mass balance and the differential modelling. At Berkley, both the vegetation and soils located directly over the mineralisation showed high concentrations of Au. There may be indirect evidence for the operation of the deep plant uptake flux taking effect from the field evidence at Berkley. Firstly, anomalous concentrations of Au were found in the surface soils, with no detectable Au in the transported overburden. Secondly, the trace element concentrations in vegetation showed correlation to the buried lithology, which to our knowledge has not been reported elsewhere. The results from the samples at Torquata, in contrast, were less conclusive because the Au is almost exclusively associated with a surficial calcrete horizon (at <5 m soil depth). Strong correlations of Ca and Au in leaf samples however, suggest that the vegetation may be involved in the formation of calcrete and the subsequent association of Au with the calcrete. Among the vegetation components, the litter and leaf samples gave the greatest anomaly contrast at both prospects. Finally, three main drivers for the deep biotic uplift of elements were identified based on the results from the mechanistic numerical modelling exercise: i) the deep uptake flux; ii) the maximum plant concentration and; iii) the erosional flux. The relative sizes of these three factors control the rates of formation and decay, and trace element concentrations, of the soil anomaly. The main implication for the use of soils as exploration media in covered terranes is that soil geochemical anomalies may only be transient geological features, forming and dispersing as a result of the relative sizes of the accumulative and loss fluxes. The thesis culminates in the development of the first quantitative, mechanistic model of trace element accumulation in soils by deep biotic uplift.

O Brasil é o maior produtor de cana-de-açúcar e de açúcar, um dos principais derivados. O termo açúcar refere-se à sacarose, carboidrato classificado como dissacarídeo, sendo o tipo de açúcar mais consumido no mundo. A produção brasileira de açúcar é derivada exclusivamente da cana-de-açúcar e cerca de um terço do que é produzido permanece no mercado interno. Ao contrário do que acontece com o açúcar do tipo exportação, existem poucas informações sobre as questões mercadológicas, assim como para o padrão de qualidade com o qual o açúcar está chegando à mesa dos consumidores brasileiros. Neste sentido, para avaliar o perfil mineral dos açúcares de mesa consumidos pela população brasileira utilizou-se a espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES) para a determinação de enxofre, potássio, fósforo, cálcio, cobre, manganês, magnésio, silício, ferro e zinco. As amostras de açúcar foram ainda caracterizadas quanto a atributos básicos de qualidade definidos pela Copersucar: pH, umidade e resíduos insolúveis. A maior parte do açúcar consumido no Brasil é proveniente do Estado de São Paulo, embora seja possível observar a tendência de expansão para novas fronteiras agrícolas. Para a ampliação na participação de mercado e maiores receitas, as indústrias (usinas de açúcar) estão investindo na certificação, principalmente as mais novas e as localizadas na região de Expansão. A caracterização quanto aos atributos de qualidade do açúcar revelou que o pH está dentro dos padrões, a umidade apresenta problemas pontuais em algumas amostras (em função de problemas no armazenamento) e o teor de resíduos insolúveis está muito superior ao recomendado. A alteração do padrão da matéria-prima pode explicar esta observação, assim como explica as concentrações muito superiores para cálcio, potássio, enxofre, silício e ferro observado ao se comparar com as tabelas de composição nutricional dos alimentos. Além da determinação quantitativa realizada por ICP OES foi possível observar a viabilidade de métodos de análise direta de sólidos, LIBS (espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma induzido por laser) e EDXRF (espectrometria de fluorescência de raios-X dispersiva em energia), em caráter qualitativo e, também, como promissoras ferramentas analíticas quantitativas para a rotina de análises de açúcar em usinas.
Brazil is the major producer of sugarcane and sugar, which is one of its main products. The term sugar refers to sucrose, a carbohydrate classified as a disaccharide, which is the most consumed in the world. Brazilian sugar production derives exclusively from sugarcane and about a third of what is produced remains for domestic retail. As opposed to what happens to the exportation type sugar, there is scarce information about this sugar type concerning to marketing issues in general, as well as the quality standard, which the sugar is available to the consumers. For evaluating the mineral profile of table sugar consumed by the Brazilian population (identification of the mineral elements: sulphur, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, copper, manganese, magnesium, silicon, iron and zinc), it was applied multi-element analytical instrumental method: Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES). The samples of sugar were still characterized as the basic quality attributes defined by Copersucar: pH, moisture and insoluble residues. Most of the sugar consumed in Brazil, in the domestic market, comes from the state of Sao Paulo, although it is possible to observe the trend of expansion to new agricultural frontiers. The industries (sugar mills), especially the new ones and located in the Expansion area, are investing in certification for the expansion in market share and higher revenues. The characterization of the sugar quality attributes showed that the pH is within the standards, the humidity presents specific problems in some samples (because of problems during storage) and the insoluble residues content is much higher than recommended. The new pattern in the raw material may explain this observation, as well as explains the much higher concentration of calcium, potassium, sulfur, silicon and iron observed when compared with nutritional food composition tables. In the quantitative determination carried out by ICP OES, it was possible to observe the viability of applying methods of direct analysis of solids, LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) and EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence), in qualitative and as promising quantitative analytical tools for routine analysis in sugar mills.

Composites of clay minerals have been prepared with organic monomers for subsequent study upon polymerisation. Particular combinations of clays and organic species have enabled three unique systems to be studied. The first involves the intercalation of the clay minerals Kaolin and Halloysite with Phenylphosphonic Acid (PPA). The intercalation process proceeds via the use of an acetone/water entraining agent and subsequent analysis by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) using TG-Mass Spectrometry. This has revealed the remarkable thermal stability of these intercalates; they are stable to above 450 °C, and exhibit interlayer spacings of 15.4 A. Furthermore, the fate of the water as the entraining agent is determined and is found to be hydrogen bonded to the phosphonic acid moiety of PPA and also weakly bound to the inner surface hydroxyls in these clays. This water represents an opportunity for displacement by an organic monomer, and the lone pair of electrons on the oxygens also provide scope for coordination. Hence, the PPA intercalates were treated with the monomer N-vinylformamide (VFA) and evaluated for subsequent polymerisation. In the second system, montmorillonite was intercalated with VFA and then treated with a polar activator (Propylene Carbonate) prior to polymerisation. The polar activator interacts with the bifunctional VFA molecules causing the clay to swell further prior to polymerisation. This produces significant differences in the XRD traces with and without polymerisation of VFA in the presence of the clay. If the polar activator is absent the d[(001)] spacing is 21.0 A. If the polar activator is present then no d[(001)] is observed , in a situation reminiscent of an exfoliated nanocomposite. In the last system studied an in-situ intercalative approach was employed. Montmorillonite was treated with dialdehydes and diamines capable of reacting together to form amino resins oligomers and polymers. The molar ratio of the two reactants determines the intermediate and hence the subsequent product that is formed as characterised by DRIFTS. In a binary mixture where both reactants are simultaneously added to the clay, if the aldehyde is in excess, then dimethylol condensation products are formed. If the amine is in excess then monomethylol condensation products are formed. Sequentially adding these two reactants to clay (i.e. treating the clay first with one reactant and washing to remove any excess, then adding a second reactant) also has a bearing on the results. If the amine is added first, then the aldehyde is able to displace it from the clay interlayer. If however, the aldehyde is added first, then monomethylol reaction product is seen and this together with DRIFTS TGA and XRD analysis indicates that some of the aldehyde has been removed during the washing process.

Surface support is an areal support, which is installed on rock excavation surface to prevent bulking of rock mass and retain loose rock fragments. Welded wire mesh is one type of surface support. Literature study indicates that there is a wide range of testing methods on mesh. Different setups regarding mesh configuration, installation, and load applying system are used to evaluate its load-bearing, deformation, and energy absorption capacities. Loads are applied in different ways to simulate both static and dynamic loading conditions. However, there is not any standardized testing method.   Common configuration of a welded mesh sheet in LKAB´s underground mines has the dimension of 2.3 m × 2.5 m and is made of 5.5 mm (in diameter) wires welded with a square grid pattern of 75 mm × 75 mm spacing. It is installed with a square bolt pattern with a bolt spacing of 1.0 m × 1.0 m particularly in seismically active areas. Comprehensive field damage investigations at LKAB’s Kiirunavaara mine have shown localized failure of mesh, i.e., the mesh was cut or torn by rock blocks as a result of a seismic event. This is especially common along the mesh overlap where mesh sheets are joined together. However, the performance of welded mesh used at the LKAB’s mines and its performance along mesh overlap is not well understood.   Laboratory tests of LKAB´s welded wire mesh were conducted at the Mining and Civil Engineering Lab at Luleå University of Technology. A test frame was built to test the mesh under static conditions after literature review. Mesh sheets with reduced dimension of 1.2 m x 1.2 m were mounted at the corner by four bolts on the frame and tested with different loading conditions in test series AA. In test series AB/AD, two mesh sheets with overlap were tested and the load was applied at the overlap between two bolts. For the base case in series AA, a rupture load of 41.4 kN was registered at a displacement of 0.44 m using the loading plate with the size of 0.07 m2 when the load was applied at the center of the whole mesh sheet. The highest rupture load, 60.7 kN at 0.26 m displacement, was reached when the size of the loading plate was increased from 0.07 m2 to 0.5 m2. Load-carrying capacity (by using rupture load) obtained for test series AA was in the range of 32.4 - 60.7 kN with a displacement range of 0.26 - 0.44 m, considering varied loading plate material and size of the loading plate. In test series AB/AD where focus was placed on the overlap, the load-carrying capacity was in the range of 28.9 – 47.5 kN at a displacement range of 0.19 – 0.22 m. A single mesh tested with this loading configuration gave the lowest rupture load, 28.9 kN at a displacement of 0.19 m. The load-carrying capacity of two mesh sheets with three grids overlap was increased to 47.5 kN at a displacement of 0.22 m. Stiffness of the tested mesh also increased with an overlap. There is nearly no difference in load-carrying capacity when the loading mode has changed from pulling to pushing. Reducing the number of grids at the overlap to one grid decreased the load-carrying capacity of the mesh significantly, and the overlap seemed to become open quickly as the load was applied on it.   Two failure modes were observed for the mesh tests: tensile failure of the wires and failure at the heat affected zone (HAZ). Failure at HAZ is caused by weakening of the wires at the welding points. In test series AA, failure at the HAZ was observed in all tests near a faceplate. In test series AB/AD, both tensile failure and failure at HAZ were observed. They were observed close to either a faceplate or the loading plate.   To conclude test series AA, there is a problem with the redistribution of load and failure always occurs at the welding points close to faceplates. Roof mesh with wider wires at the face plates and high energy absorbent mesh have shown good results regarding handling these described problems, therefore these could be tested with LKAB´s bolting pattern and mesh configurations. In test series AB/AD, the observed problem is that the load concentrates on the closest bolts, therefore the load should be redistributed to bolts next to the loaded area. Seismic mesh, straps and improved bolting pattern can help with that, and they could be tested to evaluate them further.
Yt-förstärkning är ett element som installeras mellan andra bergförstärkningar. Yt-förstärkning är konstruerade och installerade för att hålla tillbaka och minska bergutfall mellan dessa andra förstärknings installationer. En litteraturstudie har visat att det finns en mängd olika sätt att testa yt-förstärkningar. Olika testuppställningar förekommer, där olika specifikationer utav yt-förstärkningar är varierade. Inspännings metod, last på bultar samt olika sätt att inducera last har en stor spridning. Detta gäller för både statiska- och dynamiska lastförhållanden.   En vanlig typ utav yt-support är svetsat stålnät med en wire tjocklek på 8gagues. Dessa är ihop svetsade till ett rutnät med 4 in × 4 in mellan wirarna. Dessa är installerade i olika gruvor med antingen ett diamant- eller kvadratiskt bultmönster, förekommande avstånd mellan är 1,2 m till 1,5 m mellan bultarna. Nät som används utav LKAB har en wire-diameter på 5,5 mm och ett avstånd på 75 mm × 75 mm i deras svetsade stålrutnät. Näten hos LKAB är installerade med ett kvadratiskt rutmönster med bultaståndet 1,0 x 1,0 m och 3 rutors överlapp. Dessa är oftast installerade i områden där spänningarna är höga och seismisk aktivitet är sannolik. En skadekartläggning orsakad av seismisk aktivitet genomfördes i LKAB´s undergjordsgruva Kiirunavaara. Där framkom det att de installerade näten antingen slits sönder av stenblock eller att överlappen ger med sig.   En utvärdering utav LKAB´s nät har gjorts genom att testa dem i laborationsmiljö på Luleå Tekniska universitet. En test-ram byggdes, denna bultades fast i golvet för att vara styv. Mindre nätbitar om 1.2 x 1.2 m blev installerade i riggen och en last applicerade mellan fyra bultar in testserie AA. I test seria AB/AD påfördes lasten mellan två bultar, här undersöktes överlappats inverkan på nät-konfigurationen. I grund testet i serie AA uppnåddes en last om 41.4 kN och en deformering på 0.44 m innan första brottet noterades. Högst brottlast noterade när lastpåföringsplattans area ökade från 0.07 m2 till 0.5 m2, dvs 61.7 kN med endast en förskjutning på 0.26 m. Brottgränsområdet för testserie AA är mellan 32.4 kN – 61.7 kN där deformation är mellan 0.26 m -0.44 m, inom dessa områden varierades också lastpåföringsplattans material och lasten på bultarna som håller fast nätet. För testserie AB/AD är samma område 28.9 kN – 47.5 kN med deformationerna 0.19 m – 0.22 m. Grund testet med ett nät där lasten appliceras mellan två bultar har lägst brottområde, 28.9 kN vid 0.19 m. När lasten istället appliceras på ett överlapp ökar brottslasten till 47.5 kN vid en deformation om 0.22 m, styvheten i konstruktionen ökar också. Det är inte noterad någon större förändring om överlappen belastas med en dragande eller tryckande teknik. När mängden rutor reduceras till endast en ruta, observerades tendensen till separation av näten vid påföring utav last.   Genom hela testuppställningen har två brottorsaker noterats, drag brott i vajer och brott i närhet utav uppvärmda områden, svetsar. I testserie AA har endast den senare brottorsaken noterats, dessa förekommer uteslutande i närhet till bultbrickorna. För testserie AB/AD är båda brottorsakerna är noterade. De förekom både vid bultbrickorna och vid lastpåföringsplattan.   Testserie AA har problem med att fördela lasten efter ett första brott har uppsåt samt att svetsarna i nätet är den svagaste länken. High energy mesh och Roof mesh har påvisat goda egenskaper att lösa dessa två problem enligt tidigare genomförda tester. Någon utav dessa kan modifieras och testas med LKAB´s installationsmönster. För testserie AB/AD är de möjligt att härleda brott i överlappet till för hög lastkoncentration i de närmsta bultarna. En lastfördelning till närliggande bultar ses som en lösning, både seismiska nät och straps har dessa egenskaper. Dessa kan med fördel också testas installationsmönster för att utvärdera och förstå den komplexa installationen som uppstår.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:48:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandes_am_me_botfca.pdf: 2098703 bytes, checksum: 759836994d5f93a856b439bc8f063c52 (MD5)
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
A cultura da batata tem grande importância para o Brasil e para o Estado de São Paulo. Porém, apesar de sua importância, falta maiores informações sobre a fisiologia e nutrição mineral desta cultura, limitando a obtenção de elevadas produtividades, com alta qualidade e baixo custo de produção, já que as peculiaridades de cada cultivar podem fazer grande diferença no manejo. Além disso, as doses de fertilizantes normalmente utilizadas na cultura da batata são elevadas, o que gera grande impacto no custo de produção e riscos ambientais. Assim, para obtenção da máxima eficiência produtiva, faz-se necessário o conhecimento do desenvolvimento da planta e da absorção e acumulação de nutrientes nas diferentes fases de desenvolvimento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento, acúmulo de nutrientes durante o ciclo, produtividade de tubérculos e exportação de nutrientes em cinco cultivares de batata. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcela subdividida, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas pelas cultivares (Ágata, Asterix, Atlantic, Markies e Mondial) e as subparcelas por épocas de coletas de plantas, que foram realizadas a cada 7 dias após a emergência até a colheita final. Cada parcela foi constituída por 10 linhas de 10 m de comprimento. Todas as cultivares tiveram crescimento lento até o início da fase de enchimento de tubérculos. Desta época até o final do ciclo ocorreu o desenvolvimento dos tubérculos, com a máxima taxa de acúmulo de MS concentrando-se no início dessa fase. A cultivar Mondial foi mais tardia em acumular MS, apresentando as maiores taxas de crescimento na fase final do ciclo.As cultivares Ágata, Atlantic e Markies apresentam crescimento semelhante durante todo o ciclo, porém...
The potato crop has great economical importance for Brazil and São Paulo State. However, despite its importance, it lacks more information about physiology and mineral nutrition of this crop, limiting to obtain high yield, high quality and low production cost, since the peculiarities of each cultivar can make difference in management. Furthermore, the fertilizers rates commonly used in potato crop are high, which has a strong impact on production costs and environmental risks. To get the maximum production efficiency, it is necessary to understand the development of the plant, uptake and accumulation of nutrients in different stages of the plant development. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth, nutrient accumulation, tubers yield and the nutrient exportation in five potato cultivars. The experimental design was the completely randomized block in split-plot with four replications. The plots treatments consisted of potato cultivars (Ágata, Asterix, Atlantic, Markies and Mondial) and subplots were established by harvest time of plants, were carried out every 7 day after emergence to last harvest. Each plot consisted of 10 lines of 10 m in length. All cultivars showed slow growth until the beginning of the tubers bulking stage. Since this time until the end of the cycle, occurred the tubers development, with maximum dry matter accumulation rate focusing in this initial stage. Mondial cultivar took longer time to accumulate dry matter, presenting the highest growth rates in the final stage of the cycle. Ágata, Atlantic... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Os empreendimentos de mineração comumente demandam grande quantidade de investimentos financeiros e, na maioria das vezes, longos períodos de implantação, o que os torna altamente sujeitos a diversas fontes de incertezas. Tais incertezas comumente tendem a diminuir conforme a evolução do projeto. O objetivo deste estudo é correlacionar as incertezas associadas ao modelo de teores de cobre do depósito Sequeirinho com o volume de investimentos realizados ao longo de distintas fases da pesquisa geológica. Este depósito insere-se no contexto do Complexo de Mineração Sossego, localizado no município de Canaã dos Carajás (PA). Primeiramente, foram realizadas 100 simulações para cada domínio litológico em cada campanha de sondagem (pré-1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 e 2003) a partir do método de simulação sequencial gaussiana condicionada aos dados amostrais, totalizando 1.400 possíveis cenários. Para a avaliação das incertezas foram calculados três índices: variância condicional, coeficiente de variação condicional e intervalo interquartil. Por fim, a avaliação dos investimentos foi elaborada a partir dos custos estimados para o desenvolvimento de sondagens e análises químicas. Desde a campanha pré-1998, houve uma tendência de os teores médios do depósito aproximarem-se dos prováveis valores reais observados nas fases finais da pesquisa. No ano de 2000 ocorreu o maior investimento (cerca de 28 milhões de Reais) e a redução das incertezas atingiu o patamar de 15%. Os investimentos desenvolvidos em sondagens posteriores à campanha de 2000 foram da ordem de 9 milhões de Reais (cerca de 12 mil metros de sondagem), porém, não foram constatadas reduções significativas das incertezas. Este investimento seria melhor aproveitado caso fosse redirecionado a novas áreas de prospecção. Além do montante financeiro necessário para a redução das incertezas, foco deste estudo, as variações na interpretação geológica e a locação dos furos de sondagem são variáveis importantes na análise de incertezas associadas aos investimentos em pesquisa geológica.
Mining projects require large amount of capital investment and most cases spend long periods of implementation, which make them extremely susceptible to several sources of uncertainty. Such uncertainties commonly tend to decrease along the project development. The present study aims to correlate the uncertainties associated to the grade model of the Sequeirinho copper mine with the amount of capital investment that has been spent along different geological surveys. Sequeirinho site is included in the context of Sossego Mine Complex, located in Canaã dos Carajás (PA, Brazil). Initially, 100 simulations were carried out for each lithologic domain in each drilling campaign (pre-1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003) using sequential Gaussian simulation conditioned to the sample, resulting in 1,400 possible scenarios. Three indexes were calculated for the uncertainty analysis: conditional variance, conditional coefficient variance and interquartile range. Finally, the evaluation of capital investment was elaborated from the costs estimated for drilling and chemical analysis. Since pre-1998 drilling campaign, deposit average grades have showed a trend to get closer to the possible real values observed in the final research surveys. In 2000, there was the biggest capital investment (about R$ 28 millions) and the uncertainty reduction has reached the maximum level of 15%. Investments performed in drilling programs after 2000 were around R$ 9 million (around 12,000 meters of drill holes), but the uncertainty reduction was not significant. Therefore, such investments might be used to discover new targets. Besides the correlation of uncertainty reduction and amount of capital investment, the main focus of this study, the uncertainty of geological model and the drillhole locations are important variables to be considered in investment analysis of geological survey.

CAPES
Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da pesquisa sobre medidas da atividade de 226Ra em águas minerais engarrafadas compradas em estabelecimentos comerciais do Brasil. As medidas foram realizadas no Laboratório de Física Nuclear Aplicada da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná em cooperação com o Centro de Desenvolvimento e Tecnologia Nuclear (CDTN) da Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (CNEN). O trabalho avalia a possibilidade do uso do equipamento RAD7 (Durridge Company) para medir a atividade de 226Ra em equilíbrio com 222Rn presente nas amostras de águas em nível compatível com 0,1Bq/L, o que significa uma precisão superior à prática usual do equipamento. Além disso, a pesquisa fornece o erro mínimo de medida da concentração de atividade do rádio possível de ser atingida com o uso do equipamento RAD7. A principal dificuldade encontrada na técnica desenvolvida foi diminuir os erros associados às medidas. Para desenvolver a metodologia otimizada foram realizados diversos testes que propiciaram a diminuição dos erros e asseguraram uma técnica inovadora para medidas de baixas concentrações de 226Ra em água, com o uso do detector eletrônico de radônio RAD7. O arranjo experimental foi baseado no detector eletrônico de radônio RAD7 e as medidas foram realizadas utilizando o kit RAD H2O que permite identificar a atividade de concentração do 222Rn em pequenas amostras de 40mL e 250mL. Os resultados mostraram que o erro mínimo ficou entre 0,02 a 0,07 Bq/L o que configura uma diminuição considerável e importante nos erros associados às amostras de baixas concentrações. Quando aplicada a metodologia otimizada e proposta, foi possível concluir que todas as amostras analisadas apresentaram valores abaixo que os estabelecidos pelas normas e recomendações e que os valores encontrados para as amostras possuem ordem de grandeza semelhante às encontradas na literatura. Desta forma, foi possível concluir que o detector eletrônico de radônio RAD7 pode ser utilizado nas medidas de 226Ra em águas para concentrações menores que 0,1 Bq/L, mas que para isto deve ser utilizada uma técnica como esta desenvolvida para otimizar o procedimento.
This thesis presents the survey results of measuring the activity of 226Ra in bottled mineral waters purchased in Brazilian market. The measurements were performed at the Laboratory of Applied Nuclear Physics at Federal Technological University of Paraná in cooperation with the Centre for Development and Nuclear Technology (CDTN) of the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN). The study evaluates the possibility of using RAD7 equipament (Durridge Company) in order to measure 226Ra activity in equilibrium with 222Rn present in water samples at a level compatible with 0.1 Bq/L, which means greater accuracy than the usual practice of the equipment. Furthermore, the search provides the minimum error of radio activity concentration that can be achieved using the RAD7 equipament. The main difficulty of this work was to reduce the associated errors to the measure. To develop the optimized methodology were performed several tests that enabled the reduction of errors and ensure an innovative technique for measuring low concentrations of 226Ra in water, using the RAD7 radon electronic¬ detector. The experimental setup was based on the RAD7 and measurements were performed using the RAD H2O kit that identifies the activity concentration of 222Rn in small samples of 250mL. The results showed that the minimum error ranged from 0.02 to 0.07 Bq/L which constitutes a considerable and significant reduction in errors associated with low concentrations samples. When applied the optimized methodology proposed, it was concluded that all the samples had values below the established standards and recommendations and that the values found for the samples have similar order of magnitude to those found in the literature. Thus, the RAD7 radon detector electronics can be used in measurements of 226Ra in water at concentrations below 0,1 Bq/L, but for that, the technique developed in order optimize the procedure should be used.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the impact that a sample of securities blended together would have upon the variance of the expected returns of an energy and a gold-minerals portfolio. A framework based on the Markowitz model, but solved linearly, has been constructed in which the optimal weight of each security in its respective portfolio is determined in order to minimize variance given the expected portfolio returns. The data elaborated for each stock (price, return and dividend) were on an annual basis for a period of 16 years and are the basis from which the projections of both the energy and the gold-minerals portfolio expected returns were derived. The results show that the variance in both portfolios is considerable, because stocks as a group show co-movement, meaning that stocks tend to do well or poorly as a group.

Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, February, 2021
Cataloged from the official PDF of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 167-177).
The rational design of reactive systems requires the use of kinetic models of system behavior. However, the development of such models for multicomponent systems is complicated by conditions of mutual interference in determining reaction rates. Addressing this shortcoming for mineral systems requires developing methods to solve the fundamental problem of identity and resolve the partitioning of system behavior between components. In this work a complete description of the problem of simultaneous rate determination under conditions of mutual interference is developed and progress towards solving this problem in microfluidic and bulk systems is presented. Results show that there are unique challenges posed in microfluidic systems that hinder the ability to accurately partition the behavior of the total system between its constituents. In contrast, the bulk system permits a practical experimental solution based on particle size and shape for certain classes of solid mixtures.
by Thomas Close.
Ph. D.
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-07-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:51:04Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 nogueira_sp_me_jabo.pdf: 462158 bytes, checksum: 1d0aa2bf593c178c5c638ed575dc736a (MD5)
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
A composição de macroelementos da dieta influencia o equilíbrio ácido básico e as características da urina de cães, contribuindo tanto para o desenvolvimento como prevenção de urolitíases. O experimento 1 teve por objetivo comparar fórmulas para estimar o excesso de bases (EB) do alimento, avaliando a influência do enxofre e dos aminoácidos sulfurados sobre estes cálculos e o equilíbrio ácido-basico de cães. O segundo e terceiro estudo objetivaram avaliar, respectivamente, os efeitos da adição de sal catiônico (citrato de potássio em duas doses, 150mEq/kg e 300mEq/kg de dieta) e compostos aniônicos (hexametafosfato de sódio, metionina e sulfato de amônio, em duas doses cada um, -150mEq/kg e -300mEq/kg) em dietas para cães. Os cães permaneceram em gaiolas metabólicas durante cinco dias de adaptação à dieta, seguidos por três dias de coleta de urina total. Durante a coleta, a urina produzida em cada período de 24 horas teve seu volume, densidade e pH aferidos. O equilíbrio ácido-básico foi estudado por hemogasometria de sangue venoso, em amostras coletadas às 8:00hs (antes do fornecimento do alimento) e 15hs (6 horas após alimentação). O primeiro experimento incluiu nove alimentos comerciais e nove cães, em um delineamento quadrado latino 9x9. O pH urinário variou entre 6,47±0,23 a 7,77±0,16, o EB entre 75 e 765 mEq/kg MS. Foi observada diferença média de -57 mEq/kg entre o EB calculado com enxofre (EBs) e o EB calculado com aminoácidos sulfurados, sendo o primeiro melhor estimativa do EB do alimento. O pH urinário apresentou alta correlação com o EBS (r=0,98; p<0,001). No segundo experimento houve aumento linear do pH urinário mediante adição de citrato de potássio (p<0,05), elevando-se o pH urinário de 5,97±0,19 (controle) a 7,11±0,11 (300mEq citrato de potássio/kg; p<0,001). No terceiro experimento foi verificada redução do pH urinário...
Food mineral composition influences the acid-basic balance and characteristics of dogs’ urine, contributing for both development and prevention of urolithiasis. The first experiment compared formulas to estimate food base excess (BE), evaluating the influence of total sulfur and sulfur amino acids on these calculations and acid-basic balance of dogs. The second and third experiments evaluated, respectively, the effects of addition of a cationic salt (potassium citrate in two doses, 150mEq/kg and 300mEq/kg of diet) and anionic compounds (sodium hexametaphosphate, methionine and ammonium sulphate, also in two doses, - 150mEq/kg and -300mEq/kg) in diets for dogs. Dogs were kept in metabolic cages for five days of adaptation phase to the diet, followed by three days of total urine collection. During collection, each 24 hours of produced urine were analyzed for density, volume and pH. Acid-basic balance was appraised by blood gas analysis of venous blood, in samples collected at 8:00h (before food consumption) and 15:00h (6 hours after meal). First experiment included nine commercial diets and nine dogs, in a Latin Square 9x9 design. The urinary pH varied between 6.47±0.23 to 7.77±0.16, BE between 75 and 765mEq/kg. A mean difference of -57mEq/kg was observed between BE calculations with sulfur (BEs) and BE calculations with sulfur amino acids, being the first formula a better tool to estimate food BE. The urinary pH presented high correlation with BEs (r=0.98; p<0.001). In second experiment was verified a linear increase of urinary pH by addition of potassium citrate (p<0.05), increasing the urinary pH from 5.97±0.19 (control) to 7.11±0.11 (300mEq potassium citrate/kg; p<0.001). In third experiment a reduction of urinary pH from 6.81±0.10 (control) to 5.45±0.23 (-300mEq/kg of ammonium sulphate; p<0.0001) was observed. Ammonium sulphate and methionine were effective in acidifying urine... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Isotopic and trace element analyses are essential to our understanding ore-forming processes, but traditionally these techniques have required bulk digestion of rocks and minerals. Recent advances in in situ microanalytical techniques permit us to analyse samples on a mineral-by mineral basis and probe the chemistry of individual growth bands in minerals, providing a near-continuous record in any zoned mineral. This thesis is composed of five studies using the in situ geochemistry of 'gangue' (non-ore) minerals to elucidate cryptic ore-forming processes that are obscured using conventional analyses. The first half of this thesis presents coupled isotopic and trace element analyses in quartz and pyrite from magmatic-hydrothermal Cu-Au deposits. These studies revealed complex chemical zonation, providing a detailed record of cryptic fluid chemistry and depositional processes. A distinct isotopic signature and residual metastable silica hydrates in quartz microcrystals from the El Indio deposit, Chile provided the first evidence for silica maturation in a high-temperature environment and the first evidence for non-equilibrium isotope fractionation in quartz. The second half of this thesis focuses on the trace element chemistry of minerals from the Bellevue Core, a ~3 km drillcore intersecting the upper half of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa - the largest known repository of platinum-group elements (PGEs). These studies revealed a prospective PGE horizon and provide the first evidence for extensive equilibration of plagioclase in cumulate rocks.

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de investigar as oportunidades de aplicação da análise de complexidade como método de análise da Economia Mineral de um bem mineral, utilizando o níquel como estudo de caso. Para tanto foram estudadas as particularidades do mercado de commodities, com maior profundidade no caso do níquel, os fatores que nele influem e alguns modelos desenvolvidos para simulação, compreensão e predição do comportamento do sistema composto por este mercado. Foram verificadas as condições para que o mercado de bens minerais tenha sido considerado um sistema complexo. No caso do níquel foi também analisado o estado atual da tecnologia de extração, incluindo os desenvolvimentos mais recentes. Passou-se então à descrição do método utilizado na análise de complexidade que define a complexidade de um sistema como uma grandeza quantificável em função de sua topologia, representada pela estrutura das correlações entre suas variáveis, e da entropia total do sistema. A entropia total do sistema é a integração das entropias de Shannon das variáveis que participam de sua estrutura e é uma medida da sua incerteza. Neste método, o cálculo das correlações entre as variáveis não é feito estatisticamente, mas sim por meio do cálculo da entropia mútua. A vantagem deste método é que revela correlações entre pares de variáveis que apresentam relações não lineares ou até mesmo bifurcações, clustering e outras patologias de difícil tratamento estatístico. Desta forma, evita-se o termo correlação, que remete ao tratamento estatístico, preferindo-se acoplamento em seu lugar, para identificar a dependência entre duas variáveis. A seguir, foram abordadas as duas modalidades de análise de complexidade utilizadas: estática e dinâmica. A análise estática revela, por meio de um mapa cognitivo, a estrutura do sistema e as forças de acoplamento entre seus componentes, bem como os índices de complexidade, compostos das complexidades crítica, operacional e mínima, da entropia e da robustez. O índice de maior destaque é o da robustez, que mede a resiliência do sistema por meio da diferença entre as complexidades crítica e operacional, e é um indicador de sua sustentabilidade. A análise dinâmica revela, para sistemas que variam com o tempo, a evolução dos indicadores de complexidade ao longo do tempo. O interesse nesse tipo de análise é que o criador do método identificou experimentalmente que o colapso de um sistema é quase sempre precedido de um aumento brusco em sua complexidade. Esta característica é então explorada na análise do mercado do níquel para procurar antecipar crises. Na parte experimental pode-se então revelar a estrutura de acoplamentos de uma cesta de metais e do mercado específico do níquel, usando-se a análise estática. A seguir, passou-se a investigar a evolução dos indicadores de complexidade ao longo do tempo, tendo sido possível identificar as situações de crise no mercado pelo aumento de complexidade e entropia e, no caso específico da crise de 2008-2009 foi possível perceber o aumento significativo da complexidade e entropia antes mesmo da instalação da crise, fornecendo assim um aviso prévio do evento.
This study aimed at investigating the opportunities for application of complexity analysis as a method of analysis of mineral commodities economics, using nickel as case study. With that intention, the particularities of commodities were studied, in a deeper fashion in the case of nickel, its influencing factors and respective models which have been developed for simulating, understanding and predicting the behavior of the commodity market system. The conditions which allow the mineral commodities market to be considered a complex system have been verified. In the case of nickel the current state of the extraction technology including the latest developments has also been analyzed. Then focus goes to the description of the method used in complexity analysis, where complexity of a system is defined as a measurable quantity based on its topology, represented by the structure of the correlation between its variables, and the total entropy of the system. The total entropy of the system is the integration of the Shannon entropy of the variables that participate in its structure and is a measure of the systems uncertainty, i.e., its departure from a deterministic operating fashion. Calculation of correlations between variables in this method is not done statistically, but by calculating the mutual entropy between each pair of variables. The advantage of this method is that it reveals correlations between pairs of variables that exhibit nonlinear relationships or even bifurcations, clustering and other pathologies of difficult statistical treatment. Thus, the term correlation is avoided, which refers to the statistical treatment, being coupling the preferred expression to identify the dependence between two variables. The two types of complexity analysis were then performed: static and dynamic. Static analysis reveals the system structure and strength of couplings between the components by means of a cognitive map, as well as the complexity indices consisting of critical complexity, operational and minimum entropy and robustness. Robustness is the most interesting index in this case, as it measures the resilience of the system using the difference between the critical and operative complexities, and is an indicator of its sustainability. The dynamic analysis reveals, for time variant systems, the evolution of complexity indicators over time. Interest in this type of analysis is that the methods developer has experimentally identified that the collapse of a system is almost always preceded by a sharp increase in their complexity. This feature is then exploited in the analysis of the nickel market in trying to anticipate crises. Then, in the experimental section, structures of couplings were identified for a basket of metals and for the specific nickel market, using static analysis. Finally the evolution of indicators of complexity over time has been investigated, which revealed to be possible to identify a crisis in the market by the increasing complexity and entropy and, in the particular case of the 2008-2009 crisis its been also was possible to observe a significant increase in complexity and entropy just before installation of the crisis itself, providing a pre-alarm of the event.

Submitted by Emanuel Varela Cardoso (emanuel.varela@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-08-20T19:12:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 BRUNO OLIVEIRA LOPES – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEM) 2018.pdf: 2679561 bytes, checksum: 17af196ea163d4dbc0b28512ae9edb45 (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T19:12:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 BRUNO OLIVEIRA LOPES – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEM) 2018.pdf: 2679561 bytes, checksum: 17af196ea163d4dbc0b28512ae9edb45 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-23
A mineração é uma atividade econômica relevante em diversos países. No tratamento de minérios, a água é um insumo indispensável. Para a classificação de minérios, a indústria mineral tem usado o processo de hidrociclonagem, onde a água é utilizada como meio para o transporte de partículas de minério dispersas, que são separadas do líquido através da força centrífuga no interior do equipamento denominado de hidrociclone. O avanço constante do poder de processamento dos computadores em conjunto com a evolução nas técnicas e métodos numéricos tem permitido simular com grande precisão problemas complexos de fluidodinâmica tal qual o escoamento em hidrociclones. Neste sentido, este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar o processo de separação de partículas de minério em hidrociclones via software Ansys Fluent. Para a simulação fluidodinâmica utilizou-se uma modelagem matemática baseada em uma análise Euleriana-Lagrangeana. Resultados dos campos de pressão, velocidade, e fração volumétrica das fases, eficiência do processo de separação em diversas condições operacionais são apresentados e avaliados. Dos resultados verificou-se que o aumento da velocidade de escoamento na entrada do equipamento tende a aumentar o desempenho do hidrociclone na eficiência de separação até certo limite
Mining is a relevant economic activity in many countries. In the treatment of ores, water is an indispensable input. For the classification of ores, the mineral industry has used the hydrocyclone process, where water is used as the medium for transporting dispersed ore particles, which are separated from the liquid by centrifugal force inside the so-called hydrocyclone equipment. The constant advance of the processing power of the computers together with the evolution in the techniques and numerical methods has allowed to simulate with great precision complex problems of fluidodynamics like the flow in hydrocyclones. In this sense, this work aims to study the process of separation of ore particles in hydrocyclones using Ansys Fluent software. For the fluid dynamics simulation, a mathematical model based on an Eulerian-Lagrangian analysis was used. Results of pressure, velocity, and volumetric fraction phases, efficiency of the separation process under various operational conditions are presented and evaluated. From the results it has been found that increasing the flow velocity at the inlet of the equipment tends to increase the performance of the hydrocyclone in the separation efficiency to a certain extent.

Over the past 40 years, several procedures have been proposed for characterizing ideal flotation behavior. These procedures, known as release or tree analysis, generally involve multi-stage flotation in batch, laboratory flotation cells using various combinations of rougher, cleaner, and scavenger configurations. Although some of these procedures have been experimentally compared, there remains considerable controversy as to which approach best approximates the ideal flotation response. In this investigation, modeling and simulation techniques are used in conjunction with experimental studies to compare three procedures commonly used for characterizing flotation behavior. These procedures include timed release analysis, simplified release analysis, and tree analysis. Timed release analysis is shown to produce superior results to simplified release analysis and tree analysis; although simplified release analysis appears to be best suited for locating the "elbow" of the grade-recovery curve. In no case, do any of these techniques approximate a perfect separation. A novel technique, known as reverse release analysis, is described and demonstrated to be superior to the other three procedures. Finally, a theoretical methodology for obtaining the true ideal separation curve is presented.
Master of Science

In this study, optical backscattering (OBS) and in situ image analysis are used to measure sediment bed density and aggregate size. A method is described for the measurement and interpretation of OBS height scans to obtain a measurement of aggregate size and solid concentration profiles in sediment beds of flocculated minerals. It was found that when OBS height scans were measured during batch settling and from multiple angles at the end of batch settling, the resulting root-mean-square, 𝐹rms, and mean, 𝐹mean, signal values can be analysed to quantify the sediment bed solids concentration and aggregate size as a function of height in the sample. A size calibration method was applied which relates the 𝐹rms values obtained from model solid ceramic spheres and silica particles to 𝐹rms values measured from sediment beds of flocculated kaolin. An iterative fitting method is applied to obtain a calibration function which can be applied to obtain a quantitative description of solid volume as a function of height and time during the batch settling experiment, 𝜙s(ℎ,𝑡). Evaluation of the fitted solid volume versus height functions resulted in a reasonable relative error when compared with the measured solid volume in the sample. A brief analysis on a statistical interpretation of image data for various samples of flocculated mineral sediment beds is given. This study suggests that the evaluation of OBS signal values and high magnification image analysis can be applied on the lab scale for determination of aggregate size and sediment bed density and may form the basis of a measurement system that can be applied to larger scale batch settling or pilot thickening equipment to measure rheological properties and mass flux.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of
Graduate

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a Portland cement-based material in use in dentistry for over 20 years. Although originally developed as a root canal reparative material, multiple applications have since been found for the cement. Commercial MTA is expensive, and for research, its composition cannot be changed/modified. This investigation endeavored to create and validate an affordable MTA model cement system for future research into the material, and use the model created to analyse the cement with view to further understanding it and improving its properties. An MTA-like model system was established and setting times, compressive strength, relative porosity, apparent and specific densities and radiopacity were measures used to assess cement samples made. Sample storage time, composition, alternative radiopacifiers, material consistency and handling, and the effect of powder-to-liquid ratio (PLR) were all investigated, utilising the model system. 5 wt% Plaster of Paris content was found to provide optimal material characteristics, with Bi2O3 the most effective radiopacifier, requiring a minimum proportion of 20 wt% for adequate radiopacity to meet the required standard. A higher PLR (4.0 – 4.5 g/ml) than recommended for commercial MTA was found to be best for cement workability and material properties, including radiopacity.

Spatially continuous patterns of heavy mineral distributions in three dimensions characterized the sandy Holocene sediments of the lower Chesapeake Bay. A pilot study using Q-mode factor analysis on data from an earlier study determined mineral assemblages and mineral composition gradients; the gradients suggested that surficial sediments entered the Bay from offshore and from older deposits to the west. Principal components analysis of the same data indicated that the abundances of only 5 out of 21 minerals were adequate to explain most of the mineral variance. The mineralogy of 87 samples from cores defining two geologic cross-sections was added to the pilot study data and formed a new data set of 173 samples and 5 minerals. Q-mode factor analysis gave similar end-member compositions and mineral gradients as compared to the pilot study. Mineral gradients in the cross-sections show offshore sediment rich in amphibole, garnet, and pyroxene has entered the Bay mouth and presently overlies landward-derived sediment rich in zircon and epidote. The gradients depict tube- and tongue-shaped pathways located above paleodrainages. Surficial gradients support the notion of mutually evasive ebb and flood channels in the Bay entrance. Most of the Holocene sediment in the lower Bay appears to have originated from outside the Bay mouth, to include littoral drift from the north. The techniques used in this study may be useful in an attempt to subdivide a massive sandy lithosome by recognizing distinct stratigraphic units of different age or origin. A magnetohydrostatic mineral separator was constructed and tested.

The use of seismic methods in hard rock environments in Western Australia for mineral exploration is a new and burgeoning technology. Traditionally, mineral exploration has relied upon potential field methods and surface prospecting to reveal shallow targets for economic exploitation. These methods have been and will continue to be effective but lack lateral and depth resolution needed to image deeper mineral deposits for targeted mining. With global need for minerals, and gold in particular, increasing in demand, and with shallower targets harder to find, new methods to uncover deeper mineral reserves are needed. Seismic reflection imaging, hard rock borehole data analysis, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis all give the spatial and volumetric exploration techniques the mineral industry can use to reveal high value deeper mineral targets.In 2002, two high resolution seismic lines, the East Victory and Intrepid, were acquired along with sonic logging, to assess the feasibility of seismic imaging and rock characterisation at the St. Ives gold camp in Western Australia. An innovative research project was undertaken combining seismic processing, rock characterization, reflection calibration, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis to show that volumetric predictions of rock type and gold-content may be viable in hard rock environments. Accurate seismic imaging and reflection identification proved to be challenging but achievable task in the all-out hard rock environment of the Yilgarn craton. Accurate results were confounded by crocked seismic line acquisition, low signal-to-noise ratio, regolith distortions, small elastic property variations in the rock, and a limited volume of sonic logging. Each of these challenges, however, did have a systematic solution which allowed for accurate results to be achieved.Seismic imaging was successfully completed on both the East Victory and Intrepid data sets revealing complex structures in the Earth as shallow as 100 metres to as deep as 3000 metres. The successful imaging required homogenization of the regolith to eliminate regolith travel-time distortions and accurate constant velocity analysis for reflection focusing using migration. Verification of the high amplitude reflections within each image was achieved through integration of surface geological and underground mine data as well as calibration with log derived synthetic seismograms. The most accurate imaging results were ultimately achieved on the East Victory line which had good signal-to-noise ratio and close-to-straight data acquisition direction compared to the more crooked Intrepid seismic line.The sonic logs from both the East Victory and Intrepid seismic lines were comprehensively analysed by re-sampling and separating the data based on rock type, structure type, alteration type, and Au assay. Cross plotting of the log data revealed statistically accurate separation between harder and softer rocks, as well as sheared and un-sheared rock, were possible based solely on compressional-wave, shear-wave, density, acoustic and elastic impedance. These results were used successfully to derive empirical relationships between seismic attributes and geology. Calibrations of the logs and seismic data provided proof that reflections, especially high-amplitude reflections, correlated well with certain rock properties as expected from the sonic data, including high gold content sheared zones. The correlation value, however, varied with signal-to-noise ratio and crookedness of the seismic line. Subsequent numerical modelling confirmed that separating soft from hard rocks can be based on both general reflectivity pattern and impedance contrasts.Indeed impedance inversions on the calibrated seismic and sonic data produced reliable volumetric separations between harder rocks (basalt and dolerite) and softer rock (intermediate intrusive, mafic, and volcaniclastic). Acoustic impedance inversions produced the most statistically valid volumetric predictions with the simultaneous use of acoustic and elastic inversions producing stable separation of softer and harder rocks zones. Similarly, Lambda-Mu-Rho inversions showed good separations between softer and harder rock zones. With high gold content rock associated more with “softer” hard rocks and sheared zones, these volumetric inversion provide valuable information for targeted mining. The geostatistical method applied to attribute analysis, however, was highly ambiguous due to low correlations and thus produced overly generalized predictions. Overall reliability of the seismic inversion results were based on quality and quantity of sonic data leaving the East Victory data set, again with superior results as compared to the Intrepid data set.In general, detailed processing and analysis of the 2D seismic data and the study of the relationship between the recorded wave-field and rock properties measured from borehole logs, core samples and open cut mining, revealed that positive correlations can be developed between the two. The results of rigorous research show that rock characterization using seismic methodology will greatly benefit the mineral industry.

The research topic has as its main objective the modeling of the flow of contaminant (mineral oil) following a road accident involving a heavy transport vehicle carrying 24 tons of CHEMOL pesticide, produced by the company Chemia S.p.A. of Sant’Agostino (FE). The target area is the ex-cave Olmi, currently used as a flood retention basin in the town of Calderara di Reno (BO), N-E of Bologna's Marconi airport, which is the final destination of the vehicle. Within this context, the thesis work concerned first of all the georeferencing and the study of an environmental report performed on the target area useful in the study of the hydrogeology of the soil and its stratigraphy. Subsequently, it was necessary to use the HSSM software to model the flow of contaminant in the soil. After this initial study, the Fault Tree (FTA) was built, the final event of which is the achievement of the target area, within a given time limit, a concentration higher than the limit given by the legislation. The failure rate of each basic event, which leads to the realization of the final event, was evaluated using values ​​derived from technical reports, with the exception of the event consisting in exceeding the concentration limit value in the target area. For the latter event, a Monte Carlo simulation was used, combining the values ​​of hydraulic conductivity and initial concentration of contaminant, which were the values ​​most affected by uncertainty. Finally, these values ​​were entered into the aforementioned HSSM software to evaluate the results. The probability of failure of this basic event was obtained by having the software compile a number of times equal to that of the possible combinations. The final calculation of the result, deriving from the constructed tree, was carried out using Boolean algebra, a method typically used in this probabilistic risk calculation technique. Below are elements relating to the techniques available for the removal of the pollutant.

The principal objective of the research was to model the outflow results of multiple tracer outflow dilution (M.T.O.D.) techniques from the canine tibia so as to obtain a more precise understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying mineral exchange in bone. To date, M.T.O.D. techniques have been performed on the tibiae of greyhound dogs but the subsequent outflow results have produced information mainly at the capillary level for the diffusible tracers concerned such as capillary permeability-surface area PSC products from the widely used Crone-Renkin formulation. Back diffusion and heterogeneous capillary flow rates lacking from the formulation, however, have impaired the accuracy of PS(C). Outflow results from two series of previously performed M.T.O.D. experiments were modelled. In the first experimental series, outflow results from the ipsilateral femoral vein concerning l25l-albumin reference and 85Sr (Ca analogue), 86Rb (K analogue) diffusible tracers were used ; the tracers having being injected into the tibial nutrient arteries. In the second experimental series, 125l-albumin and 85Sr outflow results were used from parathyroidectomised dogs in which both tracers had been injected together before and after a dose of 0.0005 mg bovine parathyroid hormone (PTH). The problem of back diffusion was alleviated by optimising a homogeneous flow model to M.T.O.D. data. The model produced informative parameter estimates for 85Sr and 86Rb concerning fluid spaces and associated boundaries in Haversian systems largely comprising the diaphyseal cortex. Exchange was assumed to take place there by virtue of injecting the tracers into the tibial nutrient artery. Blood flow rates, known to be influential in governing the extent of tracer exchange in the diaphysis, were investigated using the microsphere technique. Flow rate heterogeneity was found to be substantial, as adjudged by distributions of relative deposition densities of microspheres in 40 pieces of cortex and 10 marrow samples in 6 tibiae. For the cortex, the distributions were positively skewed with a relative dispersion of around 40%. Additional work involving light microscopy suggested that the distribution of cortical flow rates were not attributable to particular changes in capillary density, which were relatively uniform at 2682 + 510 capillaries/cm2 (4 tibiae ; 240 observations). The findings concerning flow rate heterogeneity, together with the deduction that the cortex and marrow respectively received 65% and 35% of tibial nutrient artery flow, prompted the development of a parallel multicapillary model in which 4 capillary systems were alloted to the cortex and 1 such system to the marrow. Input to the model was a suitable form of the reference tracer outflow profile which describes the large vessel transport behaviour assumed identical for all tracers concerned. Parameter estimates (mean + s.d.) found by optimisation for 85Sr and 86Rb (n=6) were PSC = 0.045 + 0.021 and 0.047 + 0.022 ml/s respectively. Apparent volumes of distribution (n=5) for the interstitial fluid were 0.90 + 0.36 (85Sr) and 0.69 + 0.22 ml of diaphysis (86Rb). Additional studies involving gamma variates showed that model inputs were robust in terms of varying degrees of large vessel dispersion. Furthermore, simulation studies involving the effect of asymmetric transport on the resulting parameter estimates in the context of modelling the PTH data provided speculative evidence for the concept of a bone-lining cell membrane controlling uptake to bone surfaces.

The use of seismic methods in hard rock environments in Western Australia for mineral exploration is a new and burgeoning technology. Traditionally, mineral exploration has relied upon potential field methods and surface prospecting to reveal shallow targets for economic exploitation. These methods have been and will continue to be effective but lack lateral and depth resolution needed to image deeper mineral deposits for targeted mining. With global need for minerals, and gold in particular, increasing in demand, and with shallower targets harder to find, new methods to uncover deeper mineral reserves are needed. Seismic reflection imaging, hard rock borehole data analysis, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis all give the spatial and volumetric exploration techniques the mineral industry can use to reveal high value deeper mineral targets.
In 2002, two high resolution seismic lines, the East Victory and Intrepid, were acquired along with sonic logging, to assess the feasibility of seismic imaging and rock characterisation at the St. Ives gold camp in Western Australia. An innovative research project was undertaken combining seismic processing, rock characterization, reflection calibration, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis to show that volumetric predictions of rock type and gold-content may be viable in hard rock environments. Accurate seismic imaging and reflection identification proved to be challenging but achievable task in the all-out hard rock environment of the Yilgarn craton. Accurate results were confounded by crocked seismic line acquisition, low signal-to-noise ratio, regolith distortions, small elastic property variations in the rock, and a limited volume of sonic logging. Each of these challenges, however, did have a systematic solution which allowed for accurate results to be achieved.
Seismic imaging was successfully completed on both the East Victory and Intrepid data sets revealing complex structures in the Earth as shallow as 100 metres to as deep as 3000 metres. The successful imaging required homogenization of the regolith to eliminate regolith travel-time distortions and accurate constant velocity analysis for reflection focusing using migration. Verification of the high amplitude reflections within each image was achieved through integration of surface geological and underground mine data as well as calibration with log derived synthetic seismograms. The most accurate imaging results were ultimately achieved on the East Victory line which had good signal-to-noise ratio and close-to-straight data acquisition direction compared to the more crooked Intrepid seismic line.
The sonic logs from both the East Victory and Intrepid seismic lines were comprehensively analysed by re-sampling and separating the data based on rock type, structure type, alteration type, and Au assay. Cross plotting of the log data revealed statistically accurate separation between harder and softer rocks, as well as sheared and un-sheared rock, were possible based solely on compressional-wave, shear-wave, density, acoustic and elastic impedance. These results were used successfully to derive empirical relationships between seismic attributes and geology. Calibrations of the logs and seismic data provided proof that reflections, especially high-amplitude reflections, correlated well with certain rock properties as expected from the sonic data, including high gold content sheared zones. The correlation value, however, varied with signal-to-noise ratio and crookedness of the seismic line. Subsequent numerical modelling confirmed that separating soft from hard rocks can be based on both general reflectivity pattern and impedance contrasts.
Indeed impedance inversions on the calibrated seismic and sonic data produced reliable volumetric separations between harder rocks (basalt and dolerite) and softer rock (intermediate intrusive, mafic, and volcaniclastic). Acoustic impedance inversions produced the most statistically valid volumetric predictions with the simultaneous use of acoustic and elastic inversions producing stable separation of softer and harder rocks zones. Similarly, Lambda-Mu-Rho inversions showed good separations between softer and harder rock zones. With high gold content rock associated more with “softer” hard rocks and sheared zones, these volumetric inversion provide valuable information for targeted mining. The geostatistical method applied to attribute analysis, however, was highly ambiguous due to low correlations and thus produced overly generalized predictions. Overall reliability of the seismic inversion results were based on quality and quantity of sonic data leaving the East Victory data set, again with superior results as compared to the Intrepid data set.
In general, detailed processing and analysis of the 2D seismic data and the study of the relationship between the recorded wave-field and rock properties measured from borehole logs, core samples and open cut mining, revealed that positive correlations can be developed between the two. The results of rigorous research show that rock characterization using seismic methodology will greatly benefit the mineral industry.