Anomalous metastable hcp Ni nanocatalyst induced by non-metal N doping enables promoted ammonia borane dehydrogenation

Developing high-performing non-noble transition metal catalysts for H_(2) evolution from chemical hydrogen storage materials is of great significance for the hydrogen economy system, yet challenging. Herein,we present for the first time that anomalous metastable hexagonal close-packed Ni nanoparticles induced by heteroatom N doping encapsulated in carbon(N-hcp-Ni/C) can exhibit admirable catalytic performance for ammonia borane(AB) dehydrogenation, prominently outperforming conventional fcc Ni counterpart with similar morphology and favorably presenting the state-of-the-art level.Comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies unravel that unusual hcp phase engineering of Ni together with N doping could induce charge redistribution and modulate electronic structure, thereby facilitating H_(2)O adsorption and expediting H_(2)O dissociation(rate-determining step). As a result, AB dehydrogenation can be substantially boosted with the assistance of N-hcp-Ni/C. Our proposed strategy highlights that unconventional crystal phase engineering coupled with non-metal heteroatom doping is a promising avenue to construct advanced transition metal catalysts for future renewable energy technologies.

Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Granite from the Xiazhuang Uranium Ore Field,South China:Implications for Exhumation History and Ore Preservation

Xiazhuang uranium ore field,located in the southern part of the Nanling Metallogenic Belt,is considered one of the largest granite-related U regions in South China.In this paper,we contribute new apatite fission track data and thermal history modeling to constrain the exhumation history and evaluate preservation potential of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.Nine Triassic outcrop granite samples collected from different locations of Xiazhuang Uranium ore field yield AFT ages ranging from 43 to 24 Ma with similar mean confined fission track lengths ranging from 11.8±2.0 to 12.9±1.9μm and Dpar values between 1.01 and 1.51μm.The robustness time-temperature reconstructions of samples from the hanging wall of Huangpi fault show that the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field experienced a time of monotonous and slow cooling starting from middle Paleocene to middle Miocene(~60-10 Ma),followed by relatively rapid exhumation in the late Miocene(~10-5 Ma)and nearly thermal stability in the Pliocene-Quaternary(~5-0 Ma).The amount of exhumation after U mineralization since the Middle Paleogene was estimated as~4.3±1.8 km according to the integrated thermal history model.Previous studies indicate that the ore-forming ages of U deposits in the Xiazhuang ore field are mainly before Middle Paleocene and the mineralization depths are more than 4.4±1.2 km.Therefore,the exhumation history since middle Paleocene plays important roles in the preservation of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.

Diffusion and reaction mechanism of limestone and quartz in fluxed iron ore pellet roasting process

The increase to the proportion of fluxed pellets in the blast furnace burden is a useful way to reduce the carbon emissions in the ironmaking process.In this study,the interaction between calcium carbonate and iron ore powder and the mineralization mechanism of fluxed iron ore pellet in the roasting process were investigated through diffusion couple experiments.Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to study the elements’diffusion and phase transformation during the roasting process.The results indicated that limestone decomposed into calcium oxide,and magnetite was oxidized to hematite at the early stage of preheating.With the increase in roasting temperature,the diffusion rate of Fe and Ca was obviously accelerated,while the diffusion rate of Si was relatively slow.The order of magnitude of interdiffusion coefficient of Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO diffusion couple was 10^(−10) m^(2)·s^(−1) at a roasting temperature of 1200℃for 9 h.Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) was the initial product in the Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO-SiO_(2) diffusion interface,and then Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) continued to react with Fe_(2)O_(3) to form CaFe_(2)O_(4).With the expansion of the diffusion region,the sillico-ferrite of calcium liquid phase was produced due to the melting of SiO_(2) into CaFe_(2)O_(4),which can strengthen the consolidation of fluxed pellets.Furthermore,andradite would be formed around a small part of quartz particles,which is also conducive to the consolidation of fluxed pellets.In addition,the principle diagram of limestone and quartz diffusion reaction in the process of fluxed pellet roasting was discussed.

Geochemistry, mineral paragenesis and geothermal conditions of oreforming fluids from the Ain El Bey Cu–Fe deposit: potential occurrence of native gold and precious metal traces (North African orogenic belt, Northern Tunisia)

The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.

Determination of critical state line(CSL)for silty-sandy iron ore tailings subjected to low-high confining pressures

The disposal of filtered tailings in high dry stacks can induce particle breakage,changing the material's behaviour during the structure's lifetime.The grading changes influence material properties at the critical state,and this is not mature for intermediate artificial soils(tailings)in a broad range of confining pressures.In this paper,it aims to describe the behaviour of iron ore tailings in a spectrum of confining pressures broader than the reported in previous studies.A series of consolidated drained(CD)triaxial tests was carried out with confining pressures ranging from 0.075 MPa to 120 MPa.These results show that the amount of breakage plays an essential role in the response of iron ore tailings.The existence of curved critical state line(CSL)in both specific volume(ν)-logarithm of mean effective stress(p′)and deviatoric stress(q)-mean effective stress(p′)planes,and different responses in the deviatoric stress-axial strain-volumetric strain curves were verified.An inverse S-shaped equation was proposed to represent the silty-sandy tailings'behaviour up to high pressures onν-lnp′plane.The proposed equation provides a basis for enhancing constitutive models and considers the evolution of the grading up to severe loading conditions.The adjustment considered three regions with different responses associated with particle breakage at different pressure levels.

Study of Iron Ore Processing Technology of Tamir Gol Deposit in Mongolia

Iron ore processing for steel production is crucial to the development and economy of Mongolia. Regardless of having abundant natural resources and raw materials, Mongolia almost doesn’t produce final products. So far, most mining and mineral beneficiation plants export raw materials only subjected to beneficiation process. Out of more than 200 deposits in Mongolia, 91 deposits had been explored with different methods and stages, and estimated the resource of 33 reserves. Without processing the iron ore, it is impossible to use it for steelmaking due to its high sulfur and phosphorus impurities. Therefore, to study the processing of iron ore deposits in Mongolia, we did a preliminary investigation of iron ore deposits and took samples from the Tamir Gol deposit with high silica and phosphorus content that is difficult to process. Then, conducted mineral analysis and determined the grain structure and beneficiation characteristics of Tamir Gol iron deposit. .

Recent advances in non-metal doped titania for solar-driven photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical water-splitting

Photocatalytic (PC) / Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting under solar light irradiation is considered as a prospective technique to support the sustainable and renewable H_(2) economy and to reach the ultime goal of carbon neutral. TiO_(2) based photocatalysts with high chemical stability and excellent photocatalytic properties have great potential for solar-to-H_(2) conversion. To conquer the challenges of the large band-gap and rapid recombination of photo generated electron-holepairs in TiO_(2), non-metal doping turns out to be economic, facile, and effective on boosting the visible light activity. The localized defect states such as oxygen vacancy and Ti^(3+) generated by non-metal doping are located in the band-gap of TiO_(2), which result in the reduction of band-gap, thus a red-shift of the absorption edge. The hetero doping atoms such as B^(3+), I^(7+), S^(4+)/S^(6+), P^(5+) can also act as electron donors or trap sites which facilitate the charge carrier separation and suppress the recombination of electron-hole pairs. In this comprehensive review, we present the most recent advances on non-metal doped TiO_(2) photocatalysts in terms of fundamental aspects, origin of visible light activity and the PC / PEC behaviours for water splitting. In particular, the characteristics of different non-metal elements (N, C, B, S, P, Halogens) as dopants are discussed in details focusing on the synthesis approaches, characterization as well as the efficiency of PC and PEC water splitting. The present review aims at guiding the readers who want quick access to helpful information about how to efficiently improve the performance of photocatalysts by simple doping strategies and could stimulate new intuitive into the new doping strategies.

Modelling and Dynamic Characteristics for a Non-metal Pressurized Reservoir with Variable Volume

With the increasing demand to reduce emissions and save energy,hydraulic reservoirs require new architecture to optimize their weight,space,and volume.Conventional open reservoirs are large,heavy,and easily polluted,and threaten the operation of hydraulic systems.A closed reservoir provides the advantages of small volume and light weight,compared to open reservoirs.In this study,a non-metallic pressure reservoir with variable volume is designed and manufactured for closed-circuit hydraulic systems.The reservoir housing is made of rubber,and the Mooney-Rivlin model is chosen based on the rubber strain properties.The FEA simulation for the reservoir is performed using ANSYS Workbench to obtain the structural stiffness.The major contribution is the establishment of mathematical models for this reservoir,including the volume equation changing with height,flow equation,and force balance equation,to explore the output characteristics of this reservoir.Based on these results,simulation models were built to analyze the output characteristics of the reservoir.Moreover,the test rig of a conventional hydraulic system was transformed into a closed-circuit asymmetric hydraulic system for the reservoir,and preliminary verification experiments were conducted on it.The results demonstrate that the designed reservoir can absorb and discharge oil and supercharge pump inlet to benefit system operation.The changes in the volume and pressure with displacements under different volume ratios and frequencies were obtained,which verified the accuracy of the mathematical models.Owing to its lightweight design and small volume,the reservoir can replace conventional open reservoirs,and this lays a foundation for future theoretical research on this reservoir.

Lithium extraction from hard rock lithium ores(spodumene,lepidolite,zinnwaldite,petalite):Technology,resources,environment and cost

Lithium production in China mainly depends on hard rock lithium ores,which has a defect in resources,environment,and economy compared with extracting lithium from brine.This paper focuses on the research progress of extracting lithium from spodumene,lepidolite,petalite,and zinnwaldite by acid,alkali,salt roasting,and chlorination methods,and analyzes the resource intensity,environmental impact,and production cost of industrial lithium extraction from spodumene and lepidolite.It is found that the sulfuric acid method has a high lithium recovery rate,but with a complicated process and high energy consumption;alkali and chlorination methods can directly react with lithium ores,reducing energy consumption,but need to optimize reaction conditions and safety of equipment and operation;the salt roasting method has large material flux and high energy consumption,so require adjustment of sulfate ratio to increase the lithium yield and reduce production cost.Compared with extracting lithium from brine,extracting lithium from ores,calcination,roasting,purity,and other processes consume more resources and energy;and its environmental impact mainly comes from the pollutants discharged by fossil energy,9.3-60.4 times that of lithium extracted from brine.The processing cost of lithium extraction from lepidolite by sulfate roasting method is higher than that from spodumene by sulfuric acid due to the consumption of high-value sulfate.However,the production costs of both are mainly affected by the price of lithium ores,which is less competitive than that of extracting lithium from brine.Thus,the process of extracting lithium from ores should develop appropriate technology,shorten the process flow,save resources and energy,and increase the recovery rate of related elements to reduce environmental impact and improve the added value of by-products and the economy of the process.

Enhancing visible-light photocatalytic activity of α-Bi_2O_3 via non-metal N and S doping

In recent years, some important research indicated that the visible-light activity of photocatalysts could be enhanced via incorporating p-block non-metal elements into the lattice. In this paper, we investigated the electronic structures of pure and different non-metal （C, N, S, F, Cl, and Br） doped α-Bi2O3 using first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory. The band structures, the electronic densities of states, and the effective masses of electrons and holes for doped α-Bi2O3 were obtained and analyzed. The N and S dopings narrowed the band gap and reduced the effective mass of the carriers, which are beneficial for the photocatalytic performance. The theoretical predication was further confirmed by the experimental results.

An integrated and efficient process for borax preparation and magnetite recovery from soda-ash roasted ludwigite ore under CO–CO_(2)–N_(2) atmosphere

To realize the comprehensive utilization of ludwigite ore,an integrated and efficient route for the boron and iron separation was proposed in this work,which via soda-ash roasting under CO–CO_(2)–N_(2) atmosphere followed by grind-leaching,magnetic separation,and CO_(2) carbonation.The effects of roasting temperature,roasting time,CO/(CO+CO_(2))composition,and Na_(2)CO_(3) dosage on the boron and iron separation indices were primarily investigated.Under the optimized conditions of the roasting temperature of 850℃,roasting time of 60 min,soda ash dosage of 20 wt%,and CO/(CO+CO_(2)) of 10 vol%,92%of boron was leached during wet grinding,and 88.6%of iron was recovered during the magnetic separation and magnetic concentrate with a total iron content of 61.51 wt%.Raman spectra and^(11)B NMR results indicated that boron exists asB(OH)_(4)^(-) in the leachate,from which high-purity borax pentahydrate could be prepared by CO_(2) carbonation.

Effect mechanism of aluminum occurrence and content on the induration characteristics of iron ore pellets

With the intensified depletion of high-grade iron ores,the increased aluminum content in iron ore concentrates has become unavoidable,which is detrimental to the pelletization process.Therefore,the effect mechanism of aluminum on pellet quality must be identified.In this study,the influence of aluminum occurrence and content on the induration of hematite(H)and magnetite(M)pellets was investigated through the addition of corresponding Al-containing additives,including alumina,alumogoethite,gibbsite,and kaolinite.Systematic mineralogical analysis,combined with the thermodynamic properties of different aluminum occurrences and the quantitative characterization of consolidation behaviors,were conducted to determine the related mechanism.The results showed that the alumina from various aluminum occurrences adversely affected the induration characteristics of pellets,especially at an aluminum content of more than 2.0wt%.The thermal decomposition of gibbsite and kaolinite tends to generate internal stress and fine cracks,which hinder the respective microcrystalline bonding and recrystallization between Fe2O3particles.The adverse effect on the induration characteristics of fired pellets with different aluminum occurrences can be relieved to varying degrees through the formation of liquid phase bonds between the hematite particles.Kaolinite is more beneficial to the induration process than the other three aluminum occurrences because of the formation of more liquid phase,which improves pellet consolidation.The research results can further provide insights into the effect of aluminum occurrence and content in iron ore concentrates on downstream processing and serve as a guide for the utilization of high-alumina iron ore concentrates in pelletization.

Effect of surfactant addition on leaching process of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores with magnesium sulfate

Surfactants were proposed to be added into magnesium sulfate solution to improve the leaching process of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WREOs).Effects of surfactants and their concentration on the seepage of leaching solutions and the leaching efficiency of rare earth(RE)and aluminum(Al)were investigated,and the leaching kinetics,the mass transfer process,the adhesion work and the adhesion work reduction factor were analyzed to reveal its strengthening leaching mechanism.The results show that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB)has a better strengthening effect on the leaching process than dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(DTAB),sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS),sodium oleate and oleic acid.In the presence of 0.04%CTAB in 0.2 mol/L solution,the permeability coefficient of WREOs increases from 0.945×10^(-5)to 1.640×10^(-5)cm·s^(-1),and the leaching efficiency of RE increases from 80%to 90%,confirming the promotion of surfactants on the leaching process of WREOs.Kinetic analysis shows that the leaching process conforms to the inner diffusion control model,and the leaching kinetics equations of RE and Al related to CTAB content are obtained.Mass transfer discussion shows a smaller height equivalent to theoretical plate(HETP)of RE and Al at CTAB content of 0.04%,suggesting the higher mass transfer efficiency here.According to the interfacial properties of leaching solutions,the calculated adhesion work and the adhesion work reduction factor further demonstrate the strengthening leaching effect of CTAB on the leaching process of WREOs.

Genesis and metallogenic characteristic of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit associated granitoids:LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating and isotope constraint from Zijinshan ore field in southeastern China

The Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit,located in the southeast of the Zijinshan ore field(the largest porphyry–epithermal system in Southeast China),represents the complex magmatic and metallogenesis events in the region.The petrogenesis and metallogenesis of granitoids from the deposit are not determined,especially the interactions between ore-bearing(granodiorite porphyry)and barren samples(granodiorite and diorite).In the paper,the whole rock geochemical features shared a similar affinity to the middle-lower content and revealed that they derived from partial melting of the Cathaysian basement with the contribution of mantle materials,even represented that they generated in the plate subduction;LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages show that these granodiorites,granodioritic porphyry and diorite,were generated during 114–103 Ma.The ore-bearing samples mostly presented ε_(Hf)(t)of negative values(peak value is-4 to-3)with old two-stage Hf model ages(t_(DM)^(2))(peak value is 1.10–1.15 Ga),while the barren sample showed slightly negative ε_(Hf)(t)(peak value is-1 to 0)values with young t_(DM)^(2)(peak value is 1.00–1.05 Ga).The value of zircon Ce^(4+)/Ce^(3+)ratio mostly higher than 450 was first verified for the ore-bearing samples in the Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit,and the values of ore-bearing were found to be higher than those from the barren,which suggests that the ore-bearing formed in more oxidized parental magma with higher oxygen fugacity.Based on the geochemical characteristic of the element and isotope,we concluded that the Early Cretaceous multiphases magmatic activities,low melting temperature and low pressure of pluton,and high oxygen fugacity of zircon,were the favorable conditions for metallogenesis of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit.

Real-time ore sorting using color and texture analysis

Sensor-based ore sorting is a technology used to classify high-grade mineralized rocks from low-grade waste rocks to reduce operation costs.Many ore-sorting algorithms using color images have been proposed in the past,but only some validate their results using mineral grades or optimize the algorithms to classify rocks in real-time.This paper presents an ore-sorting algorithm based on image processing and machine learning that is able to classify rocks from a gold and silver mine based on their grade.The algorithm is composed of four main stages:(1)image segmentation and partition,(2)color and texture feature extraction,(3)sub-image classification using neural networks,and(4)a voting system to determine the overall class of the rock.The algorithm was trained using images of rocks that a geologist manually classified according to their mineral content and then was validated using a different set of rocks analyzed in a laboratory to determine their gold and silver grades.The proposed method achieved a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.961 points,higher than other classification algorithms based on support vector machines and convolutional neural networks,and a processing time under 44 ms,promising for real-time ore sorting applications.

Evaluation of VSK separation in the classification of two mineralogically different iron ore fines

With gradually diminishing Fe grade in tandem with the ever-increasing demand for high-grade iron ores,iron ore industries are now focusing on the beneficiation of low-grade iron ore fines,mainly considered waste.Besides,the scarcity of water at many of the mines’sites and the new water conservation policies of the governments have necessitated research on suitable dry beneficiation routes.In this context,an effort has been made to evaluate the efficacy of a dry classification unit,such as the VSK separator,in upgrading the iron values of two low-grade Indian iron ore fines,named Sample 1 and Sample 2.The mineralogical studies,involving scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction,suggest that Sample 1 is a low-grade blue dust sample(51.2wt%Fe)containing hematite and quartz as the major minerals,while Sample 2(53.3wt%Fe)shows the presence of goethite in addition to hematite and quartz.The experiments,carried out using Box-Benkhen statistical design,indicate that blower speed,followed by feed rate,is the most influencing operating parameter in obtaining a good product in the VSK separator.At optimum levels of the operating factors,a fines product with~55wt%Fe at a yield of~40%can be obtained from Sample 1,while Sample 2 can be upgraded to~56wt%Fe at a yield of~85%.The results suggest that the VSK separator can be employed as an efficient intermediate unit operation in a processing circuit to upgrade the iron contents of iron ore fines.

彩色Ore定理

设G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n)是在同样的顶点集合V上的n个图,且满足|V|=n。设C是包含V中所有顶点的一个圈,如果C的边集合是从G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n)中每个图选择一条边得到的,则称C为{G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n)}上的一个彩色哈密尔顿圈。设P是包含V中所有顶点的一条路,如果P中每条边均来自G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n-1)中不同的图,那么称P为{G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n-1)}上的一个彩色哈密尔顿路。最近,Joos和Kim证明了彩色的Dirac定理,即如果G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n)中每个图的最小度都大于等于n/2,则{G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n)}中包含一个彩色哈密尔顿圈。在本文中,我们采用移位方法证明了如果G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n)中每个图的边数都大于等于((n-1)/2)+2,则{G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n)}中包含一个彩色哈密尔顿圈。进一步地,如果G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n-1)中每个图的边数都大于等于((n-1)/2)+1,则{G_(1),G_(2),…,G_(n-1)}中包含一条彩色哈密尔顿路。

Clean production of Fe-based amorphous soft magnetic alloys via smelting reduction of high-phosphorus iron ore and apatite

Separated preparation of prealloys and amorphous alloys results in severe solidification-remelting and beneficial element removal-readdition contradictions,which markedly increase energy consumption and emissions.This study offered a novel strategy for the direct production of FePC amorphous soft magnetic alloys via smelting reduction of high-phosphorus iron ore(HPIO)and apatite.First,the thermodynamic conditions and equilibrium states of the carbothermal reduction reactions in HPIO were calculated,and the element content in reduced alloys was theoretically determined.The phase and structural evolutions,as well as element migration and enrichment behaviors during the smelting reduction of HPIO and Ca_(3)(PO_(4))_(2),were then experimentally verified.The addition of Ca_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)in HPIO contributes to the enrichment of the P element in reduced alloys and the subsequent development of Fe_(3)P and Fe_(2)P phases.The content of P and C elements in the range of 1.52 wt% -14.63 wt% and 0.62 wt% -2.47 wt%,respectively,can be well tailored by adding 0-50 g Ca_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)and controlling the C/O mole ratio of 0.8-1.1,which is highly consistent with the calculated results.These FePC alloys were then successfully formed into amorphous ribbons and rods.The energy consumption of the proposed strategy was estimated to be 2.00×10^(8) kJ/t,which is reduced by 30% when compared with the conventional production process.These results are critical for the comprehensive utilization of mineral resources and pave the way for the clean production of Fe-based amorphous soft magnetic alloys.

Effect of particle gradation on pore structure and seepage law of solution in weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores

Both CT and Avizo software were used to explore the effect of particle gradation on the evolution characteristics of pore structure and seepage paths in weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores during leaching.The results showed that the pore areas in four kinds of ore samples before leaching were mainly concentrated in 10^(4)–10^(7)μm^(2),whose pore quantities accounted for 96.89%,94.94%,90.48%,and 89.45%,respectively,while the corresponding pore volume only accounted for 30.74%,14.55%,7.58%,and 2.84%of the total pore volume.With the decrease of fractal dimension,the average pore throat length increased,but pore throat quantities,the average pore throat radius and coordination number decreased.Compared with that before leaching,the change degree of pore structure during leaching increased with the fractal dimension decreasing.For example,the reduction rate of the average coordination number of ore samples was 14.36%,21.30%,28.00%,and 32.90%,respectively.Seepage simulation results indicated that seepage paths were uniformly distributed before leaching while the streamline density and seepage velocity increased with the fractal dimension decreasing.Besides,the phenomenon of the streamline interruption gradually reduced during leaching while preferential seepage got more obvious with the decrease of the fractal dimension.

Mechanical behavior of iron ore tailings under standard compression and extension triaxial stress paths

The disposal of mining tailings has increasingly focused on the use of dry stacks.These structures offer more security since they use filtered and compacted material.Because of the construction method and the heights achieved,the material that compounds the structure can be subjected to different stress paths along the failure plane.The theoretical framework considered in the design of these structures generally is the critical state soil mechanics(CSSM).However,the data in the literature concerning the uniqueness of critical state line(CSL)is still controversial as the soil is subjected to different stress paths.With respect to tailings,this question is even more restricted.This paper studies two tailings with different gradings due to the beneficial processes over extension and compression paths.A series of drained and undrained triaxial tests was conducted over a range of initial densities and stress levels.In the q-p'plane,different critical stress ratio(M)values were obtained for compression and extension stress paths.However,the critical state friction angle is very similar with a slightly higher critical state friction angle for extension tests.Curved stress path dependent CSLs were obtained in the n-lnp0 plane with the extension tests below the CSL defined in compression.Regarding the fines content,the studied tailings presented very similar M and critical state friction angle values.However,the fines content af-fects the volumetric behavior of the studied tailings and the CSLs on the n-lnp0 plane shift downwards with the increasing fines content for compression and extension tests.In relation to dilatancy analysis,the fines content did not present an evident influence on the dilatancy of the materials.However,different values of mean stress ratio N were obtained between compression and extension tests and can corroborate the existence of non-unique CSLs for these materials.