Decision-Making Models for In-Situ Leaching Process Control

Abstract

Topicality of the research. Technological processes of in-situ leaching by their structure are complex technical multi-coupled systems covering several subsystems (formation-well - pumping stations - reagent concentrations, etc.). All these subsystems are interconnected, and the violation of the technological mode of at least one of the subsystems leads to a shutdown of the entire cycle of operation of the system as a whole. Therefore, at present much attention is paid to progressive methods of development of multicomponent systems, one of which is the in-situ leaching (ISL) method. The ISL method is the most economical and environmentally friendly method compared to other methods, and its use does not result in environmental disturbance. the ISL method is also widely used in the uranium mining industry, which is of extreme economic importance. The demand for energy, of which uranium is the main source, is growing steadily. This reflection reflects the importance of scientific research into the use of efficient methods, particularly the in-situ leaching process, in the production of valuable metals. The dissolution of a useful component in the earth and the subsequent movement of the resulting compounds takes place mainly in accordance with the laws of hydrodynamics, mass transfer and chemical kinetics. Complexity of the process occurring in real underground conditions necessitates development of mathematical models and software to study the whole cycle of the IS process in real conditions and to make decisions in accordance with the management objective. The main purpose of creating a model is to characterise and predict some objects and technological processes. Models based on mathematical interpretation of the problem help in finding necessary information for decision making with the help of certain algorithms. Thus, the development of models for solving analysis and decision making problems in the management of in-situ leaching  technological processes in ore mining, as well as the creation of appropriate computational algorithms and software are relevant today.

The purpose of this study is to develop models, methods and software tools for decision-making and analysis in the process control of the drinking water supply process. To achieve this goal, the following tasks should be carried out: system analysis of IS process; data processing using approximate and analytical solutions for forecasting required parameters and checking the reliability of the developed process control model; creating efficient algorithms and software for calculating the main geotechnological indicators of IS process, determining influencing factors on field development management process; determining suitability of mathematical model, algorithm and software tools

The object of the study is ore deposits exploited by the PV method using an acidic solution. The subject of the study is filtration and diffusion actions at PV.

Methods: Fourier, Laplace and Bubnov-Galerkin transform methods as well as finite-difference approximation methods and computational experiment were used to solve the filtration-convection diffusion of the SP process.

Results. Two-dimensional mathematical models of control for decision-making in the process control of the drinking water supply process, taking into account its features, have been developed. Computational algorithms of one- and two-dimensional mathematical models for decision-making in the PV process control tasks have been developed. On the basis of real object data, the adequacy of the developed mathematical models describing the ПВ technological process has been tested. The dynamics of changes in concentration and corresponding different values of parameters affecting the course of the PV technological process has been investigated.

Conclusions. Software tools have been developed for conducting computational experiment and calculation of decision-making parameters in SP process control and visualisation of calculation results.