다금속 망간단괴 채광기술 개발

Abstract

Continuous mining concept by using surface vessel, lifting pipe, buffer, flexible conduit and self-propelled seafloor miner seems to be most prospective for commercial production of polymetallic nodules. A self-propelled seafloor miner is prerequisite for realization of continuous nodules mining from 5,000m water depth. Reliable and precise operation of the deep-seabed miner from the sea surface is of particular importance. Such a remote operation of seafloor miner requires a total integrated control of the total mining system, since the entire components are closely linked and coupled in their dynamic behaviors. In view of economics and reduction of technological risks, modeling-and-simulation of the total mining system and each sub-system products valuable data for decision making in hardware development. Tractive-and-driving performance of seafloor vehicle, efficiency of nodule pick-up device, transport of nodules through conduits, dynamic responses of lifting pipe etc. are computer simulated in preliminary design study. The key interests in technology development are focused on the development of self-propelled seafloor miner and nodule transport system through flexible conduit from the miner to buffer. The deep-seabed miner is developed based on modeling-and-simulation and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) technique. The essential issue extends to the real-time operation system as well. The hydraulic lifting pump and flexible hose system are constructed and its performances are verified in the lifting test laboratory. Integrated performance of the test miner, which is constructed in 1/20 scale of commercial mining capacity, and the flexible nodule transport system will be examined through sea-test near-shore in 2009.