Automated radiation profiling and shotcreting of uranium mine drifts

铀矿巷道的自动辐射剖面分析和喷射混凝土

• 批准号: 478743-2015
• 负责人: Nokleby, Scott
• 金额: $ 2.43万
• 依托单位: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=579760
• 关键词: Automated; radiation; profiling; shotcreting; uranium

The goal of this project is to develop a system to automatically profile the radiation levels across a uranium mine drift (tunnel) and apply, in an automated manner, shotcrete (sprayable concrete) to the face, walls, and ceiling of the drift to reduce radiation exposure to mine personnel to acceptable levels. In a uranium mine, radiation levels are generally related to the grade (percent concentration) of uranium in the ore. The grades are not consistent, and have high variability along the extent of mineralization. One of the techniques used in uranium mines to control radiation exposure is to coat the uranium ore with a layer of shotcrete. The higher the uranium grade, the thicker the shotcrete "shielding" that must be applied. Current manual methods do not provide accurate enough data and potentially expose workers to radiation and rock-fall hazards. The ability to accurately map uranium deposits is key to improved mine efficiency, allowing for better planning of mining operations. Automating the shotcrete process based on the radiation readings will allow for improved operating efficiency and enhanced worker safety through the optimal application of shotcrete. It is proposed to develop a robotic system to systematically gather accurate radiation measurements across the drift and then apply shotcrete to the required thickness. The radiation sensor, a sodium-iodide (NaI) sensor, will be equipped with shielding to allow more accurate radiation measurements to be taken. A mobile robotic base will be used to move the system to the face and a manipulator will be used to move the sensor and shotcrete nozzle along the face. Depending on the size of the drift, the mobile base may need to reposition itself multiple times in order to scan and shotcrete the entire drift. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping techniques will be used to generate a 3D map of the drift while determining the position of the mobile base relative to the drift. In addition, colour images will be captured of the drift so that the geologists can match the radiation measurements not only to the generated 3D map, but to actual images of the drift as well. The end result will be a system that generates an accurate 3D model of the drift face showing precise radiation measurements.

该项目的目标是开发一种系统，自动分析铀矿巷道（隧道）的辐射水平，并以自动方式将喷射混凝土（可喷射混凝土）应用于巷道的表面、墙壁和天花板，以减少辐射水平。矿井人员的辐射暴露达到可接受的水平。 在铀矿中，辐射水平通常与矿石中铀的品位（百分比浓度）有关。 品位并不一致，并且随着矿化程度的变化很大。 铀矿中用于控制辐射暴露的技术之一是在铀矿石上覆盖一层喷射混凝土。 铀品位越高，必须使用的喷射混凝土“屏蔽”越厚。目前的手动方法无法提供足够准确的数据，并且可能使工人面临辐射和落石危险。 准确绘制铀矿床地图的能力是提高矿山效率的关键，可以更好地规划采矿作业。 基于辐射读数的自动化喷射混凝土过程将通过喷射混凝土的最佳应用来提高操作效率并增强工人的安全。 建议开发一种机器人系统，系统地收集整个巷道的准确辐射测量结果，然后将喷浆混凝土施加到所需的厚度。 辐射传感器是碘化钠 (NaI) 传感器，将配备屏蔽装置，以便进行更准确的辐射测量。移动机器人底座将用于将系统移动到工作面，机械手将用于沿工作面移动传感器和喷射混凝土喷嘴。根据巷道的大小，移动底座可能需要多次重新定位，以便扫描和喷射混凝土整个巷道。 同时定位和绘图技术将用于生成漂移的 3D 地图，同时确定移动基座相对于漂移的位置。 此外，还将捕获漂移的彩色图像，以便地质学家不仅可以将辐射测量结果与生成的 3D 地图相匹配，还可以将辐射测量值与漂移的实际图像相匹配。 最终结果将是一个能够生成精确的漂移面 3D 模型并显示精确辐射测量结果的系统。