This paper presents a numerical simulation of powder sintering. The numerical model presented in this paper uses the discrete element method, which suggests that the material can be modeled by a large set of discrete elements (particles) of a spherical shape that interact with each other. A methodology has been developed to determine the DEM parameters of bulk materials based on machine vision and a neural network algorithm. The approach is suitable for obtaining the exact values of the DEM parameters of the investigated bulk material by comparing the visual images of the material’s behavior at the experimental stand in reality and in the model. Simulation of sintering requires an introduction of cohesive interaction between particles representing interparticle sintering forces. Numerical sintering studies were supplemented with experimental studies that provided data for calibration and model validation. The experimental results have shown a significant capability of the designed numerical model in modeling sintering processes. Evolution of microstructure and density during sintering have been studied under the laboratory conditions.

The article discusses the extraction of solid mineral resources (SMR) from the bottom, such as ferromanganese nodules (FMN) and cobalt-manganese crusts (CMC), occurring in both offshore and deep regions of the World Ocean. For separating and lifting the water surface is used mining complex, which includes a hydraulically dragheads and intermediate capsule with atmospheric pressure introduced into the of extraction process in order to increase energy efficiency through the organization of a two-stage hydroascent, the first stage is carried out by external hydrostatic pressure. To determine the optimum depth of immersion of the intermediate capsule composed mathematical model. It is based on the sustainable hydroascent provided at the first stage transport (from the bottom to capsule), and reducing power consumption slurry pump performing the second stage transport (from the capsule to the sea surface). In determining the rational immersion depth were taken into account design features of slurry pipeline, mine geological parameters, the parameters of extracted minerals, performance of dragheads, the slurry flow parameters, such as concentration, consistency, density. Presents an example calculation and determined the optimal capsule insertion depth for offshore geological environments.

The results of tests for resistance to abrasive wear on highly abrasive hard rock white electrocorundum are presented. The main material of fast-wearing elements of mining and processing equipment-110G13L steel (Gadfield steel) in comparison with other 9 grades of steel and cast iron, including specially developed wear-resistant foreign steels such as Hardox and Miiluks, is analyzed. The studies were carried out using an experimental stand for studying the material wearing process. On the stand the sample was fixed in a holding device and, after being brought into contact with the abrasive, it was rotated under a constant load. As a result of the experiments, it was confirmed that the order of placement of the tested materials in terms of increasing wear resistance coincides with their placement in terms of increasing hardness. At the same time, the wear resistance of the most resistant material – U8A steel after quenching – is about 4 times higher than this indicator for the least resistant components – low-carbon steel 25L, including gray and high-strength cast iron SCH21, VCH35. The wear resistance of 110G13L steel, as well as 65G, U8 steels in the hardened state, is from 1.5 to 2 times higher than that of foreign steels M400, H450, M500, H500. The results of the conducted studies allow us to evaluate the analyzed materials on the basis of their wear resistance and hardness indicators on the feasibility of using them in the manufacture of fast-wearing parts of mining equipment. Based on the research data, it seems promising to develop new ways to increase the wear resistance of domestic steel, including 110G13L steel traditionally used in mining.