Peter Radziszewski

Exploring total media wear

Abstract The goal of this paper was to explore total media wear by defining a total media wear model incorporating abrasive, corrosive and impact wear mechanisms, develop three ore–metal–environment specific laboratory tests to determine model parameters, and calibrate and verify model with real system data. The development is based on the possibility of estimating energy dissipated in impact and abrasion by using a discrete element charge motion model for mill simulation. The results show, for the cases studied, an improvement in the predictive ability of this methodology as compared with the Bond abrasion test. Further work is needed in order to improve test procedure.

Investigating microwave assisted rock breakage for possible space mining applications

Abstract An optimal combination of mechanical means and microwave energy to break rock material could prove beneficial for space applications in terms of large scale production drilling or rock removal processes. In the present paper, application of low power microwave pulses was used to induce thermal cracks in rock samples, before use of mechanical breakage methods. The present investigation is conducted with the scope of possible space bound and terrestrial applications. Experimental studies were carried out to assess the low power (∼150 W) microwave susceptibility of terrestrial basaltic rock samples (chosen for its close chemical similarity to lunar and Martian rocks). Point load tests were carried out on the microwaved rock samples in order to determine their strength before and after exposure to microwaves. The preliminary experimental results showed that the basalt rock samples used were quite susceptible to the exposure of low power microwaves. From the point load test results, a decreasing trend is observed in terms of strength of the rock samples with microwave exposure duration. Some rock samples even presented visible macro cracking and even splitting for the longest exposure duration used in this experimental program.

Design issues and challenges in lunar/Martian mining applications

Abstract As humanity prepares to migrate to the frontiers of the Moon and other planets, the area of mining in space must go along for the purpose of exploration and in situ resource utilisation. In the different stages of mine operations there are some common mine unit operations such as drilling, blasting, excavation, loading, haulage, comminution and separation. In this paper, we review the literature in these areas as applicable to lunar and Martian environments and thereby identify the key technologies and issues as applicable to Moon/Mars.

INVESTIGATING THE DIFFERENCES IN CHARGE DYNAMICS DUE TO A VARIATION OF THE INSTRUMENTED BALL PROPERTIES

Abstract The validation of charge mill motion simulations is limited by the lack of information from inside a tumbling mill. To this end, an electronic system capable of measuring a number of physical quantities within a highly dynamic environment has been designed, built and tested. Once protected, the system can be used to record physical quantities within a ball mill. Different types of protective shells may be used to protect the electronics. When comparing the measurements recorded using two different shells, some differences in the behaviour of the instrumented ball were observed.