2016-12-23T18:44:59

No abstract

No abstract

In 1996, Georgian mining and extractive industry moved to a new stage as a result of the adoption of a new law on subsoil, which prepared grounds for the development of a legislative framework regarding the use of country’s subsoil and created new economic settings for the industry. Mining and extractive industry play a significant role in Georgia’s sustainable economic development. From 1999 through 2020, the output value of the industry (excluding non-renewable energy resources: coal, natural gas and oil products)is estimated at of 5,6 billion Lari (GEL). The majority of deposits of mineral resources in Georgia are mainly small and medium in size. Considering the current rate of their exploitation, within 15-20 years their majority will be exhausted. Over time, the country’s economy will face a serious problem as it will need to import raw materials. It is therefore important to look for feasible technologies for the application of unconventional raw materials, namely secondary raw materials that come with essential mineral resources. This will allow to maintain the potential of mineral resources of the country. The work presents the outcomes of the Mining Institute’s current studies on qualitative, quantitative and assimilative technologies and possibilities of the application of mining waste as secondary natural resources. Research methodology is based on the principles of Green Economy that implies linking mining and extractive industry to circular economy, aiming at rational assimilation of natural resources by applying the 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) approach. Within the frames of the study, technologies were developed for obtaining construction, glass and porcelain raw materials (from spoiled rock layers stored and extracted from operating open pit mines of the Chiatura manganese and Bolnisi ore deposits/queries), along with those for manufacturing products with such materials.

The paper aims to propose ways for enhancing the effect of attenuating shock waves in the water mist. The fulfillment of this task can significantly contribute to the perfection of technologies for protecting from accidental explosions and the design of protective facilities. A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of air gaps on shock wave attenuation in the water mist. A shock tube with hydraulic equipment capable of producing a 3-meter long dispersed water barrier with droplets ranging from 25 to 400 microns and total flow rate 14.5 l/s within a tube was used during testing. The paper analyzes shock wave attenuation within a tube in the water mist with and without air gaps. It has been established that in conditions when a 3-meter long water mist contains four air gaps, every 20 centimeters in width, overpressure reduction coefficient is 1.10-1.15 times higher than the one in the water mist without air gaps.