Study of multiple draw-zone interaction in block caving mines by means of a large 3D physical model

Current production level design guidelines in block caving mines are based on the concept of interaction of movement zones and the spacing of draw-points at which mass flow is achieved. The limit of the isolated movement zone (IMZ) interaction has been determined by observations of the flow of sand and finely fragmented caved rock. This paper presents a study of the mechanisms and limit of IMZ interaction in coarse fragmented caved rock using a large 3D physical model. Results showed that when drawing from multiple draw-points, the unmoved zone between IMZs is characterised by an increase in vertical load and a decrease in horizontal load. However, it was observed that the unmoved zones between the movement zones of adjacent draw-points did not enter the flow zone, despite draw-points being spaced at less than 1.2 times the width of the IMZ. This result is in marked contrast to previous findings obtained in sand models, where movement zones have been observed to interact at draw-point spacings up to 1.5 times the width of the IMZ. The major reasons for the differences between the two different model results was found to be that significant stress arching and less induced vertical stress during flow was observed in the gravel model, in contrast to limited stress arching and more induced vertical stress in the sand models. It is hypothesised that significant stress arching would occur in block caving mines, and therefore that the results obtained in the gravel model maybe more representative of full-scale conditions. Movement zones in block caving mines may therefore not interact at draw-point spacings greater than the width of the isolated movement zone.     

Preparation and characterization of gelatin mediated silver nanoparticles by laser ablation

We successfully prepared colloidal silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser, λ = 532 nm, with laser fluence of approximately about 0.6 J/pulse, in an aqueous gelatin solution. The size and optical absorption properties of samples were studied as a function of the laser repetition rates. The results from the UV-vis spectroscopy demonstrated that the mean diameter of Ag-NPs increase with the laser repetition rate increases. The Ag-NPs have mean diameters ranging from approximately 9 nm to 15 nm. Compared with other preparation methods, this work is clean, rapid, and simple to use.     

Enhanced mechanical properties of epoxy composites using cellulose micro- and nano-crystals

Epoxy polymers are commonly utilized in structural applications due to their high bearing capacity and excellent chemical resistance. However, their inherent brittleness poses a significant challenge for their use in high shock and fracture strength products. To address this shortcoming, fillers can be incorporated into the polymer during preparation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of incorporating cellulose-based fillers, namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), on the mechanical properties of epoxy polymer composites. The study evaluated the impact of various factors, including filler concentration, particle size, and moisture content, on the mechanical properties of the composites. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of CNC or MCC powders at concentrations below 5% could enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting epoxy composites without adversely affecting their surface and thermal properties. The maximum tensile strength and fracture toughness of the filler-based epoxy composites were achieved at 2 and 4 wt% for CNCs and MCC, respectively. CNCs with a smaller particle size distribution were found to be much more effective than MCC in improving the mechanical properties of the epoxy composites. Furthermore, utilizing dried fillers resulted in a higher improvement in tensile strength, which was achieved at lower filler concentrations.     

Durability of LDPE nanocomposites with clay,silica, and zinc oxide II. weatherability of the nanocomposites

Three LDPE nanocomposites based on the nanoscale fillers, montmorillonite clay, silica, and zinc oxide were studied to determine if the reinforcement they imparted was accompanied by any change in the weatherability of the nanocomposite. Changes in weathering behavior were monitored in samples exposed to natural weathering outdoors over a period of 24 months of exposure. Because of superior light‐shielding afforded by the high specific surface area of nanofillers a stabilization effect might be anticipated. Alternatively chemical effects may enhance weatherability. In all three nanocomposites studied, the weatherability compared to unfilled LDPE did not significantly change due to the presence of 5 wt% of the nanofillers. The efficient reinforcement afforded by the nanofillers is not accompanied by a loss or enhancement in durability of the material. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1878–1883, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Efficient Image Transmission with Multi-Carrier CDMA

This paper presents a new approach for efficient image transmission over Multi-Carrier Code Division Multiple Access (MC-CDMA) systems using chaotic interleaving. The chaotic interleaving scheme based on Baker map is applied on the image data prior to transmission. The proposed approach transmits images over wireless channels, efficiently, without posing significant constraints on the wireless communication system bandwidth and noise. The performance of the proposed approach is further improved by applying Frequency-Domain Equalization (FDE) at the receiver. Two types of frequency-domain equalizers are considered and compared for performance evaluation of the proposed MC-CDMA system; the Zero-Forcing equalizer and the Linear Minimum Mean Square Error (LMMSE) equalizer. Several experiments are carried out to test the performance of the image transmission with different sizes over the proposed MC-CDMA system. Simulation results show that image transmission over wireless channels using the proposed chaotic interleaving approach is much more immune to noise and fading. Moreover this chaotic interleaving process adds a degree of encryption to the transmitted data. The results also show a noticeable performance improvement in terms of the Root Mean Square Error and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio values when applying FDE in the proposed approach, especially with the LMMSE equalizer.     

Influence of Electron Beam Irradiation and Coupling Agents on the Thermal Stability of Sugar Cane Bagasse Fiber-Thermoplastics Scrape Composite

The influence of blending of sugar cane bagasse with thermoplastics scrape as well as incorporation of some coupling agents has been conducted using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, the effect of electron beam preirradiation of low density polyethylene on the properties of the bagasse-LDPE composite was also studied. Simulation of TGA data reveals that the presence of bagasse fiber accelerates the volatilization of either polypropylene or polyvinylchloride. On the other hand, polyethylene and polystyrene were stable against the heat evolved during the pyrolysis of bagasse fibers. Also, it was found that incorporation of a mixture of pentaerithrol tetraacrylate (PETA) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as coupling agents improve the thermal stability of low density polyethylene whereas the role of irradiation was insignificant. Moreover, pronounced enhancement in the thermal stability was detected in polypropylene followed by polystyrene and polyvinylchloride on using PETA.     

Hydrogeochemistry and arsenic contamination of groundwater in the Ganges Delta Plain, Bangladesh

Geochemical composition and the level of Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater in the Ganges Delta Plain, southwestern Bangladesh were elucidated. Hydrogeochemical data of tube well samples suggested that the groundwater is mostly Ca-Mg-HCO(3) type with bicarbonate (HCO(3)(-)) as the dominant anion, though other type waters are also observed. In contrast, the elevated EC, Cl(-) and high content of Na(+) relative to Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and K(+) in six groundwater samples suggest their saline origin. Low concentrations of NO(3)(-) and SO(4)(2-), and high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), HCO(3)(-) and PO(4)(3-) indicate the reducing conditions of subsurface aquifer where sediments are deposited with abundant organic matter. The total As concentration in the analyzed samples is very high (0.0431-1.352 mg/L) along with high Fe (2.791-17.058 mg/L) and relatively low Mn (0.134-1.972 mg/L) at different depths. Distinct relationship of As with Fe and Mn, and strong correlation with DOC suggests that the biodegradation of organic matter and reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxide is considered to be the dominant processes to release As in aquifers. Moreover, negative correlation between As and SO(4)(2-) demonstrates the As may not be directly mobilized from sulfide minerals like arsenopyrite.     

Modelling the leaching of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr from cementitious waste using PHREEQC

A leaching model was developed using the United States Geological Survey public domain PHREEQC geochemical package to simulate the leaching of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr from cementitious wastes. The model utilises both kinetic terms and equilibrium thermodynamics of key compounds and provides information on leachate and precipitate speciation. The model was able to predict the leaching of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr from cement in the presence of both simple (0.1 and 0.6M acetic acid) and complex municipal landfill leachates. Heavy metal complexation by the municipal landfill leachate was accounted for by the introduction of a monoprotic organic species into the model. The model indicated Pb and As were predominantly incorporated within the calcium silicate hydrate matrix while a greater portion of Cd was seen to exist as discrete particles in the cement pores and Cr (VI) existed mostly as free CrO4(2-) ions. Precipitation was found to be the dominant mechanism controlling heavy metal solubility with carbonate and silicate species governing the solubility of Pb and carbonate, silicate and hydroxide species governing the solubility of Cd. In the presence of acetic acid, at low pH values Pb and Cd acetate complexes were predominant whereas, at high pH values, hydroxide species dominated. At high pH values, the concentration of As in the leachate was governed by the solubility of Ca3(AsO4)2 with the presence of carbonate alkalinity competing with arsenate for Ca ions. In the presence of municipal landfill leachate, Pb and Cd organic complexes dominated the heavy metal species in solution. The reduction of As and Cr in municipal landfill leachate was crucial for determining aqueous speciation, with typical municipal landfill conditions providing the reduced forms of As and Cr.     

The applicability of using a protease extracted from cashew fruits (Anacardium occidentale), as possible meat tenderizer: An experimental design approach

Meat tenderness is one of the most important organoleptic properties in determining consumer acceptance in meat product marketability. Therefore, an effective meat tenderization method is sought after by exploring plant-derived proteolytic enzymes as meat tenderizer. In this study, a novel protease from Cashew was identified as a new alternative halal meat tenderizer. The extraction of cashew protease was optimized using response surface methodology (R² = 0.9803) by varying pH, CaCl₂ concentration, mixing time, and mass. pH 6.34, 7.92 mM CaCl₂ concentration, 5.51 min mixing time, and 19.24 g sample mass were the optimal extraction conditions. There was no significant difference (n = 3; p < 0.05) between the calculated (6.302 units/ml) and experimental (6.493 ± 0.229 units/ml) protease activity. The ascending order of the effects was pH < mixing time < CaCl₂ < sample mass. In meat tenderizing application, the meat samples treated with 9% (v/w) crude protease extract obtained the lowest shear force (1.38 ± 0.25 N) to cause deformation on the meat. An electrophoretic analysis showed that protein bands above ~49.8 kDa were completely degraded into protein bands below ~22.4 kDa. Scanning electron microscopy shows the disruption of the muscle fibers after being treated by the Cashew protease. The results of this study show the Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) crude extract can be used as an alternative of the animal and microbial protease as meat tenderizer and subsequently overcome the shortcoming of the halal industrial protease.