Modeling and simulation of ocean mining subsystem based on virtual prototyping technology

According to the virtual prototyping technology and the theory of dynamics of multi-rigid-body system, a virtual prototyping of ocean mining vehicle was constructed by using 3-dimensional entity modeling software ((Pro/E),) automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems(ADAMS) and advanced visual software(AVS). After 32 new modules were developed with C++ at AVS platform, the interface problems of the 3 types of software were solved effectively and a visual environment for ocean mining subsystem was constructed. Based on the similarity (theory) and similarity experiments, the validity and reliability of the virtual prototyping were verified. By using the (constructed) virtual prototyping, the relevant parameters, such as cutting depth, rotation speed of roller,marching speed of mining vehicle can be adjusted one by one. After repeatable virtual tests and analysis its corresponding dynamic characteristics, the structure parameter of mining vehicle and the parameter of mining process can be optimized fast and accurately. The experiment and simulation results show that, under the controlled mining parameters, 4 function expressions between the average force of single pick,average torque,average cutting power,energy consumption ratio and cutting depth are obtained. The maximum force of a single pick is less than (11090N) and the maximum torque of the roller is less than 3600N·m.

Fractal evolution mechanism of rock fracture in undersea metal mining

Through rock mechanics test, similar simulation experiment, borehole photographic observation of rock fissure, numerical simulation calculation of plastic zone distribution and deformation monitoring of rock mass during undersea mining, the fractal evolution mechanisms of rock fracture in undersea metallic deposits of Sanshandao Gold Mine were studied by fractal theory. The experimental researches on granite mechanics test in undersea deposit indicate that with the increase of load, the granite deformation energy and the fractal dimension of acoustic emission(FDAE) increase gradually. However, after reaching the peak stress of specimen, the fractal dimensions of acoustic emission(FDAEs) decrease and the granite specimen fails. Therefore, the fractal dimension evolution of rock failure can be divided into four stages, which are fissure inoculation stage, fissure growth stage, fissure expansion stage and fracture instability stage, respectively. By calculating and analyzing the damage photographs of rock specimens in Sanshandao Gold Mine, the fractal dimension of rock fissure is 1.4514, which is close to the average value of FDAE during granite destruction, i.e., 1.4693. Similar simulation experiments of undersea mining show that with the excavation proceeding, the FDAE in rock stratum increases gradually, and when the thickness of the isolation roof is less than 40 m, the FDAE begins to decrease, and meanwhile the sign of water inrush emerges. The numerical simulation researches on the plastic zone distribution of undersea mining in Sanshandao Gold Mine indicate that the fractal dimension of plastic zone(FDPZ) where the failure characteristics occur is 1.4598, close to the result of similar simulation experiment of 1.4364, which shows the sign of water inrush. Meanwhile, the thickness of the isolation roof for undersea mining should be more than 40 m, which is consistent with the results of similar simulation experiment. In Sanshandao Gold Mine, the rock fissures in undersea mining were observed by borehole photography and the rock mass deformation was monitored by multi-point displacement meters, and at the same time the fractal dimensions of strata borehole fissure distribution and energy release ratio(ERR) of rock mass were calculated by fractal principle, which are 1.2328 and 1.2685, respectively. The results demonstrate that rock deformation and fissure propagation are both in the second stage of fissure growth, and have not reached the fourth stage of fracture instability. Therefore, the conclusion can be obtained that the undersea mining in Sanshandao Gold Mine is safe at present.

Optimal control of cobalt crust seabedmining parameters based on simulated annealing genetic algorithm

Under the condition of the designated collection ratio and the interfused ratio of mullock, to ensure the least energy consumption, the parameters of collecting head （the feed speed, the axes height of collecting head, and the rotate speed） are chosen as the optimized parameters. According to the force on the cutting pick, the collecting size of the cobalt crust and bedrock and the optimized energy consumption of the collecting head, the optimized design model of collecting head is built. Taking two hundred groups seabed microtopography for grand in the range of depth displacement from 4.5 to 5.5 era, then making use of the improved simulated annealing genetic algorithm （SAGA）, the corresponding optimized result can be obtained. At the same time, in order to speed up the controlling of collecting head, the optimization results are analyzed using the regression analysis method, and the conclusion of the second parameter of the seabed microtopography is drawn.

Mechanisms leading to the frequent occurrences of hypoxia and a preliminary analysis of the associated acidification off the Changiiang estuary in summer

Based on literature data and shipboard observations,this study investigated the main environmental characteristics of the seafloor topography,current field,front,and upwelling that are closely related to hypoxia occurrence off the Changjiang estuary.The physical processes of the plume front and upwelling off the Changjiang estuary in summer were coupled.The vertical distribution pattern of the plume front was closely related to the upwelling.By reviewing and analyzing the historical summer hypoxia events off the Changjiang estuary,we statistically demonstrated the spatial structure of the horizontal distribution of the hypoxic zone and investigated the location of occurrence zone of the hypoxia.We found that the dissolved oxygen(DO)concentration on the inner continental shelf off the estuary showed a"V"shape in relation to station depth.Therefore,we noted that the hypoxic water on the inner continental shelf mostly occurred on the slopes with steep seafloor topography.Base on the current understanding of the hypoxic mechanisms off the Changjiang estuary,we analyzed the biogeochemical mechanisms that could cause the steep terrain off the Changjiang estuary to become the main areas prone to summer hypoxia and explained the internal relations between the location of the hypoxic zone on the slopes and the plume front and upwelling.The plume front and upwelling off the Changjiang estuary and their coupling were important driving forces of summer hypoxia.The continuous supply of nutrients affected by the interaction of the plume front extension of the Changjiang Diluted Water(CDW)and upwelling and the favorable light conditions were important mechanisms causing the phytoplankton blooms and benthic hypoxia off the Changjiang estuary in summer.By analyzing oxygen utilization,organic carbon mineralization,and nutrient regeneration in the hypoxic zone,we observed that the significant oxygen utilization process off the Changjiang estuary in summer also mainly occurred near the steep slopes with front and upwelling features and confirmed the apparent nutrient loss in the benthic hypoxic zone.Meanwhile,our analysis revealed that the sediment resuspension in the benthic boundary layer in the mud areas off the Changjiang estuary could also affect the oxygen utilization and mineralization of organic carbon and nutrient recycling and regeneration.This study also demonstrated that the steep terrain off the Changjiang estuary was the main location for summer acidification,and the coupling between the plume front and upwelling on the steep slopes was an important physical driving force inducing summer benthic acidification.Finally,we discussed issues to address in future studies of the hypoxic zone and water acidification off the Changjiang estuary.