Reduction in emission of nitrogen oxides in massive blasting in open pit mining

Massive blasting in open pit mining wakens a grand problem connected with emission of toxic gases, which calls for special attention of mining experts. The hazardous toxic gases are nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides and carbon oxides. Among the listed gases, the greatest threat to mine personnel and environment is constituted by NOx. In connection with this, the objective of the research was reduction in concentration of NOx emission during blasting at open pit mines. The laboratory tests determined efficiency of stems containing high active catalysts, assessed efficiency of such stems and considered their applicability in real-life production. Among the proposed stems, the most effective stem was identified. The flow chart of stemming with the test compositions is described, and the change in concentration of NOx using stems with high active catalysts is estimated. Furthermore, the required composition of a dispersed catalyst and its percentage in the composition of an explosive were determined. The laboratory research findings were tested in real-life production conditions. The NOx concentrations in case of a standard explosive and an explosive with a catalyst were compared, and the obtained results were collated with the maximal allowable values.

Keywords: open pit mining, nitrogen oxides, toxic gases, massive blasts, blasting, high active catalysts, process-specific stem, stem efficiency, emission reduction.
For citation:

Babkin R. S., Kolvakh K. A., Baraboshkin I. A. Reduction in emission of nitrogen oxides in massive blasting in open pit mining. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(2):16-27. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_2_0_16.

Acknowledgements:

The study was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (FSRW-2023-0002 Fundamental interdisciplinary research of the Earth's interior and the processes of integrated development of georesources).

Issue number: 2
Year: 2025
Page number: 16-27
ISBN: 0236-1493
UDK: 622.85, 622.88
DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_2_0_16
Article receipt date: 05.12.2024
Date of review receipt: 27.12.2024
Date of the editorial board′s decision on the article′s publishing: 10.01.2025
About authors:

R.S. Babkin1, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, Director of the Center for Pre-University and Special Programs, e-mail: Babkin_RS@pers.spmi.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6211-7261,
K.A. Kolvakh1, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant of Chair, e-mail: Kolvakh_KA@pers.spmi.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0145-9465,
I.A. Baraboshkin1, Student, e-mail: ilandr9@yandex.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0005-1562-9439,
1 Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, 199106, Russia.

 

For contacts:

K.A. Kolvakh, e-mail: Kolvakh_KA@pers.spmi.ru.

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