Kompleksnoe Ispolzovanie Mineralnogo Syra = Complex use of mineral resources

Potash Ore Processing: Technology Research and Physicochemical Properties

D. Urazkeldiyeva — 2025-01-30

The Republic of Kazakhstan is endowed with a distinctive endowment of potash ores, concentrated in the West Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions. These reserves are regarded as one of the largest in the world. The proven reserves are estimated at approximately 6 billion tons and are distributed across four major deposits: These are the Zhilyanskoye, Satimola, Inderskoye and Chelkar deposits. The article provides a concise overview of the major potassium salt deposits and the chemical composition of the associated minerals. Notwithstanding the existence of these deposits, the production of potash salts in the country, for which there is an ever-increasing demand, is yet to be established, resulting in a high level of demand. In light of this, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the mineralogical and chemical composition of these promising potash ores, with a view to identifying viable methods for processing natural salt systems into products that meet the high demand both within the domestic fertiliser and salt market and abroad. The Satimola deposit represents one of the largest silvinite basins yet to be sufficiently studied, and its industrial development has yet to commence.

The analysis of raw materials and products was conducted using a combination of spectral microscopy, X-ray analysis, and differential thermal analysis.

A comprehensive study of the composition of the silvinite ore from the Satimola deposit has been conducted. The elemental composition and the ratio of potassium and sodium salts in the mineral were established. The ore was found to have a heterogeneous composition, with sodium chloride representing the dominant component.

Structure of turbulent non-isothermal flow in a pipe with a sudden expansion

U.K. Zhapbasbayev — 2025-02-05

The article studies a mathematical model of turbulent non-isothermal flow of non-Newtonian fluid. At the inlet, the fluid is Newtonian and, due to a decrease in temperature, it becomes non-Newtonian due to increased viscosity and yield strength. The system of turbulent motion and heat transfer equations is solved by the numerical control volume method in variables of the velocity and pressure components. The calculations yielded average and pulsation characteristics of the non-isothermal motion of non-Newtonian fluid in a pipe with sudden expansion. The calculations show a sharp reduction in the structure of the recirculation zone and a decrease in its parameters with an increase in the Bingham number Bn. In this zone, the maximum negative value of the average velocity, equal to‒Umax/Um1 ≈ 0.2 for a Newtonian fluid, decreases to ‒Umax/Um1 ≈ 0.1 at the Bingham number Bn = 17. A decrease in the turbulent characteristics of the non-Newtonian fluid flow is also observed with an increase in the Bingham number. Heat exchange characteristics in the flow region of turbulent non-Newtonian and Newtonian fluids are qualitatively similar. The location of the flow attachment and maximum heat exchange of non-Newtonian fluid does not exceed 10%. The length of the recirculation zone of viscoplastic fluid is shorter by up to 66% compared to Newtonian fluid.

Using ion modification methods for targeted change of strength properties of near-surface layers of composite ceramics

D.B. Borgekov — 2025-02-10

The use of ionic modification methods is one of the promising methods of directed change of strength properties of near-surface layers of materials along with such methods as magnetron sputtering and mechanically induced deformation. Interest in this area of research is primarily due to the possibility of enhanced resistance of materials to external mechanical and thermal influences, as well as improved wear resistance of refractory ceramics, which have great prospects in industrial use and metallurgy and reactor building. This paper presents the assessment results of the possibility of using the ion modification method by irradiating the near-surface layer of ZrO₂ – Al₂O₃ ceramics with low-energy Kr¹⁵⁺ and Xe²²⁺ ions with energies of 300 and 440 keV to create a radiation-modified layer in the surface layer that is highly resistant to external influences. During the studies, it was found that irradiation with fluences of 10¹⁴ - 5×10¹⁴ ion/cm² for Xe²²⁺ ions and 10¹⁵ ion/cm² for Kr¹⁵⁺ ions are optimal conditions for modifying the surface layer, as a result of which growth in wear resistance by 2.0 – 2.5 times and hardening by more than 15 – 20 % is observed compared to non-irradiated ceramics.

Epoxy coatings for anticorrosion applications: a review

L. Bekbayeva — 2025-02-12

Epoxy resins are among the most commonly used materials for anticorrosion applications due to their excellent adhesion, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance. However, conventional epoxy coatings face significant limitations in providing durable, long-term protection, especially under harsh environmental conditions. As a result, extensive research has been conducted worldwide to enhance the anticorrosion performance of epoxy coatings. This review summarizes the latest advancements in the field, categorizing current developments into three primary approaches: modification of the epoxy resin structure, incorporation of functional fillers, and the development of multifunctional composite coatings. Structural modifications focus on improving the intrinsic properties of epoxy resins to enhance their barrier effect. The inclusion of functional fillers introduces additional protective mechanisms, including self-healing, superhydrophobicity and corrosion inhibition. Multifunctional composite coatings combine the benefits of several approaches, integrating advanced materials and techniques to achieve high performance. By analyzing recent studies and innovations, this review highlights the strengths of each approach, providing insights into future directions for developing high-performance epoxy-based anti-corrosion coatings.

Influence of Radiation and Magnetic Pulse Treatment on The Wear Resistance of Carbide Tools

J.B. Toshov — 2025-02-17

In the mining industry, hard alloy tools with high wear resistance are essential for drilling operations. This study introduces a combined magnetic-pulse treatment method, integrating preliminary gamma irradiation and pulsed magnetic field exposure, to extend the service life of VK8 hard alloy drilling tools. Gamma irradiation utilized ⁶⁰Co sources with doses from 3.2×10⁴ to 5.0×10⁸ R, followed by magnetic-pulse treatment using a custom installation with electromagnetic coils, achieving magnetic induction levels of 0.2–0.4 Tesla and pulse durations of 3 µs. The VK8 alloy, comprising 8% cobalt and 92% tungsten carbide, was tested on DZL Ø118 mm blade bits across ten batches. Results showed a 1.7–3.2-fold increase in wear resistance, influenced by treatment parameters, alloy composition, and operating conditions. The hardening effect persisted for 5–6 months after gamma irradiation and over a year after magnetic-pulse treatment. This method offers significant potential to enhance tool performance and durability in rock-destroying equipment.

Land Suitability for Wind Farm Development in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province, Indonesia

F.R.Z. Suci — 2025-02-18

The use of wind as the main energy in power plants cannot be separated from the ability of windmills to produce energy to meet needs. Based on a literature study, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources 2018 released data related to the total potential of wind power in Banten Province of 300 MW spread across two areas, namely Lebak Regency and Pandeglang Regency with the potential in each area of 150 MW, thus it is necessary to conduct a spatial study related to the appropriate location for the construction of a new wind farm. Topographic factors (elevation, viewshed, slope, aspect direction, and area), technical (wind speed and power grid proximity), environmental (distance from lakes, rivers, reservoirs, dams, and land cover), and socioeconomic (settlement and transportation) are parameters that determine the success and potential of placing windmills as environmentally friendly renewable energy. This study aimed to determine the potential for wind farm development areas in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province. The method used to analyze these parameters is the Multi-Weighted Criteria Modeler, by giving weight to each parameter in raster format and classified using the deterministic logic method and selecting areas with a large area coverage (≥ 10,000 m²) using boolean. The results of this study indicate that there is an area of 350.71 km² that is suitable for the construction of a new wind farm in Pandeglang Regency. The final suitability map can be used as a guide for more detailed wind farm location exploration. This study concludes that Indonesia has great potential for the development of Wind Power Plants, especially in Pandeglang Regency. However, a wider research area coverage is needed to find out which areas have the potential for the development of Wind Power Plants in Indonesia.