With the depletion of traditional energy resources, the share of heavy-oil production has been increasing recently. According to some estimates, their reserves account for 80% of the world's oil resources. Costs for extraction of heavy oil and natural bitumen are 3-4 times higher than the costs of extracting light oil, which is due not only to higher density and viscosity indicators but also to insufficient development of equipment and technologies for the extraction, transportation, and processing of such oils. Currently, a single pipeline system is used to pump both light and heavy oil. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the features of the heavy-oil pumping mode. This paper presents mathematical models of heavy-oil flow in oil-field pipelines. The rheological properties of several heavy-oil samples were determined by experiments. The dependencies obtained were used as input data for a simulation model using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. The modeling condition investigates the range of shear rates up to 300 s−1. At the same time, results up to 30 s−1 are considered in the developed computational models. The methodology of the research is, thus, based on a CFD approach with experimental confirmation of the results obtained. The proposed rheological flow model for heavy oil reflects the dynamics of the internal structural transformation during petroleum transportation. The validity of the model is confirmed by a comparison between the theoretical and the obtained experimental results. The results of the conducted research can be considered during the selection of heavy-oil treatment techniques for its efficient transportation.

The extraction of oceanic ores will make it possible to extract a complex of strategic metals: manganese, nickel, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc. The following materials are considered as cost-effective mineral raw in the ocean: manganese nodules – MN (Mn, Ni, Cu, Co), cobalt-rich manganese crusts – CMC (Co, Mn, Ni), deep-sea polymetallic sulfides – DPS (Cu, Zn, Au, Ag). As an example, the Indian concept of deepwater development is described, which proposes to use the pipeline as a transport of minerals from the bottom. The calculation of the pipeline transportation system with the indication of shortcomings is given. As an alternative, it is proposed to use a lift of a self-propelled device for minerals on a cable made of special material. The article presents a device for deep-sea mining of MN with pressure drop chambers. The method of application of this device for collecting CMC is replacing the pressure drop chambers with the clamshell type device. The grab must be made of strong and at the same time light material and can be equipped with a hydraulic hammer for preliminary destruction. Elements of the shock system of the hydraulic hammer must also be adapted to the conditions of deep-sea mining by using special metal alloys for manufacturing. The destroyed mass is temporarily stored in a hopper mounted on a collector, which can be made of nylon mesh stretched between plates of titanium alloys. The calculation of the performance of the device for deep-sea mining from is presented.

This article is devoted to the development of a method for probability estimate of failure of an asynchronous motor as a part of electric drive with a frequency converter. The proposed method is based on a comprehensive method of diagnostics of vibration and electrical characteristics that take into account the quality of the supply network and the operating conditions. The developed diagnostic system allows to increase the accuracy and quality of diagnoses by determining the probability of failure-free operation of the electromechanical equipment, when the parameters deviate from the norm. This system uses an artificial neural networks (ANNs). The results of the system for estimator the technical condition are probability diagrams of the technical state and quantitative evaluation of the defects of the asynchronous motor and its components.