Saint Petersburg Mining University

The article is devoted to the 110th anniversary of professor Vyacheslav G. Zdanovich, an outstanding Soviet mine- and land surveyor, photogrammetrist and specialist in mathematical processing of geodetic measurements. He made his career from worker to professor, went through the Great Patriotic War as a member of the 75th geodetic unit. V. G. Zdanovich was an active researcher in Leningrad Mining Institute (LGI) and the Aerial Methods Laboratory of the USSR Science Academy, and left a significant number of scientific works. At the LGI he lectured a course of Geodesy, conducted astronomical and geodetic practice, and was the author of a large number of teaching aids and a textbook on Surveying. Hard scientific, educational, organizational and public work harmed his health and he passed away at the age of 55 in 1971. This article is the first one to present the full biography of Vyacheslav Grigorievich, based on archival sources, newspaper publications and memoires of his apprentices

Highlights What are the main findings? The synthesis and analysis of available data reveal a significant gap in research on monitoring systems for the deformation of hydroturbine head-cover fastening bolts. The analyzed monitoring systems do not guarantee their own operational integrity, including their metrological characteristics. What are the implications of the main findings? The physical integrity of the fastening bolts on hydroturbine head-covers is not guaranteed, increasing the risk of accidents in hydroelectric power plants. Therefore, monitoring systems need to be improved. The reliability of the measurement results is not assured, which may thus increase errors in decision making. Metrological self-check should be introduced into monitoring systems. Abstract This study investigates the reliability of Francis turbines and highlights the critical need for an improved deformation monitoring system for bolts that fasten a hydroturbine head-cover to its casing. During different operational stages of the hydraulic unit, such as start-up, partial load, and full load, the hydroturbine head-cover and its fastening bolts are subjected to static and cyclic loads. The loads generate vibrations and different deformations that must be monitored. Although various measuring instruments, such as vibration sensors and accelerometers, have been developed to monitor hydroturbine vibrations, only two systems—KM-Delta-8-CM and PTK KM-Delta—are currently applied to measure fastening bolt deformation. Furthermore, only one system, SKDS-SISH, was found to monitor the forces inducing this deformation. After analysis, it is evident that the described systems for monitoring the deformation of the fastening bolts do not guarantee the trustworthiness of the measuring sensors and there is a need for their improvement. The implementation of a self-checking function (including metrological features), the development of a digital twin of the sensor, and the application of technologies based on artificial intelligence could solve this problem.

This research focuses on the development of a quasi-isothermal pressure regulator based on the principle of flow mixing after energy separation. Currently, no established methods exist for designing pressure reduction devices that utilize energy separation effects, and this study aims to fill this gap. The paper presents experimental results on the performance of a pressure reduction device operating based on the Hartmann–Sprenger effect. This study investigated the hypothesis that by selecting the size of resonators, relative distances, and their mutual location, it would be possible to realize pressure regulation, simultaneously providing both the maintenance of a significant effect and the full provision of the functions of pressure regulators operating in non-stationary conditions. The experiments involved three resonators (45.5 mm, 70.5 mm, and 97.5 mm) in regurgitant mode. The findings revealed that the smallest resonator demonstrated the highest rate of temperature increase, with an average value of 2.36 K/s. The medium resonator exhibited the highest reliability under non-stationary conditions, while the largest resonator provided the highest temperature, with a maximum excess of 102 K over the temperature in front of the nozzle. The primary goal of this study was to develop technology suitable for installation at a pressure reduction station, considering mass and dimensional constraints.

This paper presents laboratory results on the physical–mechanical properties of frozen rocks from Russia’s Yamal Peninsula, aiming to improve foundation design in permafrost. Samples from various geological profiles underwent compression and shear tests along the freezing surface at −3 °C, following standard protocols. Strength and deformation characteristics were established for prevalent frozen rock types (sands, sandy loams, clay loams, clays), revealing links between physical properties and mechanical behavior. The study specifically investigated how salinity and the degree of pore filling with ice/unfrozen water influence the deformation modulus, crucial for foundation reliability in permafrost. Results demonstrated significant property variability related to granulometry, plasticity, porosity, and salinity. Deformation modulus generally decreased with increasing dispersion, ranging from approximately 44 MPa for saline sands down to 6–14 MPa for clays. Shear resistance varied from 0.05 to 0.20 MPa (clays) to 0.20–0.30 MPa (sands). The influence of pore filling on deformation modulus depended complexly on rock type, porosity, and salinity. These findings provide valuable data for geomechanical modeling and bearing capacity assessments of pile foundations in Arctic regions, particularly the Yamal Peninsula.

In recent times, gas is becoming one of the most significant resources utilised worldwide. The continuous increase in demand requires an increase in the production and preparation of gas for further utilisation. Conventional sources cannot satisfy this need, so it is necessary to resort to alternative methods of obtaining raw materials; one of the most promising is the development of unconventional reservoirs. The study considers a structurally complex gas-bearing reservoir; due to the peculiarities of the structure, the use of traditional approaches to gas production causes a number of difficulties and significantly reduces efficiency. A structurally inhomogeneous reservoir is considered a distributed object; a pressure field control system is synthesised. As a result, the efficiency of the system is evaluated, and its scalability is analysed.

Open-pit mining involves the use of vehicles with high load capacity and satisfactory mobility. As experience shows, these requirements are fully met by pneumatic wheeled dump trucks, the traction drives of which can be made using thermal or electric machines. The latter are preferable due to their environmental friendliness. Unlike dump trucks with thermal engines, which require fuel to be injected into them, electric trucks can be powered by various options of a power supply: centralized, autonomous, and combined. This paper highlights the advantages and disadvantages of different power supply systems depending on their schematic solutions and the quarry parameters for all the variants of the power supply of the dumper. Each quantitative indicator of each factor was changed under conditions consistent with the others. The steepness of the road elevation in the quarry and its length were the factors under study. The studies conducted show that the energy consumption for dump truck movement for all variants of a power supply practically does not change. Another group of factors consisted of electric energy sources, which were accumulator batteries and double electric layer capacitors. The analysis of energy efficiency and the regenerative braking system reveals low efficiency of regeneration when lifting the load from the quarry. In the process of lifting from the lower horizons of the quarry to the dump and back, kinetic energy is converted into heat, reducing the efficiency of regeneration considering the technological cycle of works. Taking these circumstances into account, removing the regenerative braking systems of open-pit electric dump trucks hauling soil or solid minerals from an open pit upwards seems to be economically feasible. Eliminating the regenerative braking system will simplify the design, reduce the cost of a dump truck, and free up usable volume effectively utilized to increase the capacity of the battery packs, allowing for longer run times without recharging and improving overall system efficiency. The problem of considering the length of the path for energy consumption per given gradient of the motion profile was solved.

The paper presents new data on geology and composition of rapakivi granites of Gubanovskaya intrusion (Wiborg massif). Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of rapakivi granites of the second (ovoid) and third (trachytoid) phases of intrusion, as well as granites from the phase contact zone have been considered. Data on rock composition were obtained by XRF and ICP-MS methods. Ovoid granites are characterized by increased amounts of alumina and iron and calcium oxides, as well as high concentrations of barium and light rare earths, compared to trachytoid granites and rocks of the contact zone. Trachytoid granites are characterized by increased silica content compared to the granites of the second phase, and reduced barium and strontium values, which indicate the evolution of magma towards differentiation, typical for the late phases of intrusions of rapakivi granites. The contact zone rocks show the highest silica and REE contents. Anomalously high LREE content is comparable to rare-metal pegmatites of Olympic Dam, which may indicate the possibility of mineralization detection in them. The results of the study of rocks have shown that all studied granites by their geochemical characteristics belong to intraplate granites of A-type, namely A2-type rocks of crustal or mantle-crustal origin, and belong to calcareous-alkaline and shoshonite series.

At present, within the Baltic-Ladoga structural-facies zone characterized by the distribution of coastal-marine and coastal-continental deposits of the Lower and Middle Frasnian outcrops of bedrock are practically lost. In the Yakhnovo outcrop, rocks of the Volkhov Formation (Darriwilian), as well as the Vazhinskaya and Syasinskaya Formations (Lower Frasnian) are exposed. The rocks of the Volkhov Formation contain a complex of soft-bottom ichnofossils with the dominant ichnogenus Thalassinoides Ehrenberg, characteristic of the sublittoral environment above the base of storm waves and below the base of normal waves, as well as a hardground surface with characteristic traces of Trypanites Mägdefrau drilling. Traces of Arenicolites Salter, occurring in deposits of highly dynamic shallow water zones, have been established in the rocks of the Syasinskaya Formation; a large arthropod trace was found in limestone blocks in the talus, presumably belonging to the ichnogenus Rusophycus Hall, considered as a domihnia (burrow) of arthropods. Findings of large arthropods have not previously been recorded in the Frasnian rocks of the eastern Main Devonian Field. The study has proved the historical, stratigraphic, ichnological, paleoecological, paleogeographic value of the Yakhnovo section, which is actually the only outcrop demonstrating the features of the carbonate-terrigenous section of the lower Frasnian, formed in the shallowest zone of the early Frasnian Sea.

Whenever any type of ore deposit is developed, it comes with significant risks, such as uncertain reserves, harsh climate conditions, and other uncontrollable factors. To manage these risks effectively, companies need to quickly adapt to changing conditions. This paper presents a method for evaluating risks using a simulation model. The main objective is to identify factors of operational risk and determine the project parameters that have the greatest impact on the probability of a risk event. The method includes the classification of operational risks based on the way they arise; the creation of a risk decomposition matrix dividing risks by production tasks; and the construction of a mathematical model using the identified risk factors. The method was tested by developing a simulation model of an underground mine conveyor network in Anylogic (8.9.2) software. A simulation experiment showed that conveyor shutdowns could result in an 11.23% reduction in annual revenue. Based on the results, recommendations were made on how these risks can be reduced and on the need to implement a transport system to increase resilience.

The article is dedicated to Doctor of Technology, geodetic scientist, professor of Leningrad Mining Institute Spiridon Akinfovich Korobkov (1914–2007). Having started as a student at Saratov Geodetic Technical School, studies at Moscow Institute of Engineers of Geodesy, Aerial Photography and Cartography he resulted to Doctor’s degree (1973) and professor (1974). S. A. Korobkov participated in the Great Patriotic War. His military service began in 1941 in the Special Moscow Air Defense Army, and was over in 1946 as an assistant to the head of the topographic department of the Air Defense Corps headquarters. From 1953 to 2007, he taught at the Mining Institute (in 1961 – senior lecturer, from 1966 – associate professor, after 1974 – full professor). In 1976 became the Head of the Department of Higher Geodesy and Photogrammetry instead of the late L. N. Kell. The authors provide information on the work activities, main scientific achievements, and his own recollections about the service in the military topographic units of the Soviet Army from November 1941 to December 1946

The environmental impact and occurrence of frequent ecological disasters have prompted a reassessment of societal values in the modern era. There has been a shift in the economic model, moving away from the pursuit of extensive growth towards a sustainable development model that prioritizes the preservation of the natural balance. This issue is of particular relevance in regions where mining activities are prevalent. In such regions, mining enterprises exert a considerable burden on the ecosystem, acting as significant sources of industrial waste. In light of the aforementioned considerations, the objective of this study is to develop a model for assessing the efficiency of industrial geo-resource recycling, taking into account both environmental and economic factors. The methodology is founded upon the principles of the efficient and comprehensive exploitation of natural and industrial geo-resources, in alignment with the tenets of sustainable development and the theoretical tenets of a cyclic economy. The methodology for assessing the efficiency of geo-resource recycling is based on the following three principal analytical approaches: economic and statistical, structural and logical, and comparative. The article examines the genesis of industrial waste, delineates the divergent patterns of the accumulation and utilization of mining waste, and classifies categories of industrial waste. The principal stages of the feasibility study are delineated, an algorithm is devised, and a model for evaluating the efficacy of industrial raw material recycling is proposed. The enumerated factors facilitate the recommendation of the model in the selection of the most optimal investment project in industrial geo-resource recycling.

Авторами проведена оценка загрязнения тяжелыми металлами (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb и Zn) почвенно-растительного покрова Канонерского острова г. Санкт-Петербурга. В ходе рекогносцировки определено, что Западный скоростной диаметр (ЗСД) – значимый источник загрязнения, а территория острова поделена на четыре зоны в соответствии с их функциональным назначением и ветровым режимом: рекреационную, переходную, наветренную и подветренную относительно магистральной дороги. Основными загрязнителями почвенного покрова установлены Pb и Zn с концентрациями, варьирующимися в пределах 5–376 и 16–1131 мг/кг – для подвижных форм, 46–1179 и 64–2903 мг/кг – для валового содержания соответственно. Наибольшая кратность превышения ПДК по подвижным формам металлов установлена для Pb (63 в переходной зоне) и Zn (50 с наветренной стороны ЗСД). Коэффициент суммарного загрязнения почв тяжелыми металлами составил от 2 до 104 по подвижным формам и от 5 до 55 по валовому содержанию. Максимальные значения установлены в переходной и наветренной зонах, поэтому почвы данных территорий попадают под категорию умеренно загрязненных. Наибольшей подвижностью среди рассмотренных тяжелых металлов на острове обладает Pb (29 % – средняя доля его подвижных форм), наименьшей – Ni (4 %). При этом их накопление растениями растет в ряду Pb < Cd < < Ni < Cu < Zn. Самые высокие значения зафиксированы по Zn и Cu в листьях древесных растений с подветренной стороны ЗСД. По общей оценке состояния почвенно-растительного покрова Канонерского острова выявлена умеренная степень загрязнения почв с локализацией с наветренной стороны ЗСД и частично в переходной зоне.

ACTUALLY. The work addresses the topic of using electronic measuring devices in the drilling process of wells under particularly challenging and unique conditions in Antarctica. In the context of extremely low temperatures, characteristic of this region, the task is to ensure the reliable operation of electronics, which is critically important for the successful execution of drilling operations and obtaining accurate data. Special attention is given to analyzing various methods for protecting electronic devices from negative temperatures. Numerous approaches to thermal insulation are explored, and innovative materials are utilized to minimize the impact of cold air on sensitive electronic components. OBJECT. The aim of the work is to investigate current electronic measurement systems used in drilling wells under Antarctic conditions, as well as to conduct experiments on series temperature sensors using a cooling chamber. METHODS . The study includes thorough experiments with temperature sensors of various types and formats. Testing was conducted in specialized cooling chambers, allowing for the modeling of real conditions faced by devices in Antarctica. Furthermore, the study examines the impact of the sensor placement relative to the microchips, which can significantly affect their accuracy and reliability. An important part of the work was an experiment with electronics covered by a waterproof polymer coating. This coating not only protects the devices from moisture but also provides additional insulation against cold, which is of paramount importance in Antarctic conditions. RESULTS. Thus, the results obtained allow conclusions to be drawn about the most effective ways to protect electronic measuring devices for drilling in challenging climatic conditions, as well as opening new horizons for further research in this area.

Hydroelectric power plants are widely used around the world, particularly in the countries of Central and South America. In Russia, there are more than 15 large hydroelectric power plants, which form the backbone of the country’s energy sector, providing about 20% of its energy needs. The construction and operation of these plants take a long time, and it is important to plan carefully and minimize environmental damage during their use. The most significant factors affecting the environmental condition of reservoirs is the low oxygen content and the impossibility of water self-purification due to low water turbulence in deep layers. Coastal erosion caused by large hydroelectric dams can lead to increased land and population destruction, as well as sedimentation in reservoirs. The objective of this review was to select a method that would enhance the quality of water in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power stations. The technical solution that has been proposed is the implementation of the aeration of the reservoir and the cleaning of the aquatorium from sediments, with the aim of compensating for the damage caused by the construction of the dam.

A simple initial value problem for the Schrödinger equation (which is usually called "parabolic equa-tion" in the diffraction theory) with a delta potential localized on a half-line is studied asymptotically for various complex amplitudes of the singularity.

This study focused on the nature of rare earth metal complex compounds that can form during the carbonate–alkaline processing of industrial waste materials, such as phosphogypsum and red mud, at 70–100 °C and 1–10 atm. Experimental findings revealed that the dissolution of synthetic carbonates of rare earth elements (REEs) in a concentrated carbonate-ion medium (3 mol/L) leads to the formation of ion-associates of varying strengths. Light (lanthanum, praseodymium, and neodymium) and medium (samarium) REE groups exhibited a tendency to form loose ion-associates, whereas heavy REEs (terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, lutetium, and yttrium) formed close ion-associates. To confirm the existence of these ion-associates, the specific conductivity of solutions was measured after dissolving thulium (III) and samarium (III) carbonates at phase ratios ranging from 1:2000 g/mL to 1:40 g/mL in a potassium carbonate medium. The decay of ion-associates, leading to the precipitation of rare earth metal (III) carbonates, was tested in an ammonium carbonate medium. Thermal decomposition of ammonium carbonate at 70–75 °C during 1–4 h was accompanied by full rare earth carbonates’ sedimentation and its in-the-way separation into groups because of the varied strength of ion-associates. The results of this study provide a basis for developing processes to separate rare earth metals into groups during their carbonate–alkaline extraction into solution.

The purpose of the research is to study and systematize relevant scientific works on monitoring and telemetry systems for operating parameters of borehole core drilling in glaciers and subglacial rocks with electromechanical cable-suspended drills. The study includes a review of monitoring and telemetry systems for operational parameters of core drilling with electromechanical cable-suspended drills, which are used by domestic and foreign specialists when drilling wells in ice and subglacial rocks on islands in the Arctic and Antarctica. Based on the results obtained, a unified concept of the considered systems is defined and their features are outlined. A functional block diagram of a monitoring and telemetry system for operating parameters of core drilling with electromechanical cable-suspended drills is proposed. Taking into account the identified features and applied technical solutions in the monitoring and telemetry systems created by domestic and foreign specialists, the authors of the article formulate the requirements for the monitoring and telemetry system of the core drilling of rocks using a reciprocating rotary method. These requirements will be taken into account when developing a system for monitoring and telemetry of the reciprocating rotary method of drilling boreholes in subglacial rocks, which is one of the stages of the research conducted as a part of development and justification of the technology of subglacial rock core sampling in Antarctica by a dynamically balanced cable-suspended drill.