In the era of digital technology, more and more of it finds application in various industries. This paper proposes to use technology of augmented reality for maintenance of stirred tank reactors. The proposed approach can be applied to any type of equipment, as it can be easily integrated with the existing automation systems and does not require much investment at the initial stage, implying gradual optimization and functionality build-up. This paper describes the basic set of functional requirements of an augmented reality-based maintenance system, methods of assessing the system performance, as well as scaling-up and streamlining prospects. The paper also describes how such systems can be integrated with existing control systems of a production company. The effectiveness of the developed augmented reality-based system was verified by determining the average execution time of each service stage and processing the outcomes using the Mann-Whitney U test. The use of the augmented reality system resulted in the reduction of the average service time by 2.3 times, while the maintenance efficiency increased by 5%.

The immediacy of the problem under study is due to the fact that the devices for extraction of solid mineral deposits from the offshore fields are not effective enough and do not meet modern requirements regarding safety, productivity, energy intensity and environmental friendliness nowadays. The purpose of the article is to analyze the influence of hydrostatical pressure, determined by the depth of the capsule location, on the operational and energy characteristics of the proposed mining equipment and the dependence of system performance on the type of a dredge head and its parameters. The leading approach to analyzing this problem was the theoretical study of the processes of hydraulic hoisting and separation of nodules from the bottom, as well as experimental studies of the applied hydraulic motor parameters on the laboratory bench with the processing of results via the mathematical statistics methods and verification of the adequacy of theoretical provisions. As a result, it was found that the energy intensity of the nodule production process depends on the capsule location depth and varies according to the parabolic law; in this case, there is a mode of effective work of the facility to be determined by the model proposed in the article. It was also substantiated that the achievement of the facility performance required level is ensured by the application of a special dredge head, which has an annular channel between the driven hydraulic motor and protective cover, which geometrical dimensions are being determined with consideration for the maximum nodule size and required engine power. It has been experimentally proven that local resistances at the output of the driven hydraulic motor depend on the release coefficient when draining the power fluid into the environment. The materials of the article are of practical value for further studies in the field of determining a high performance technology for extraction of sea-bed solid mineral deposits, as well as during development of technical facilities for the underwater mining of nodules and other solid mineral deposits.

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.