Stability of vertical hydraulic transport processes for deep ocean mining: An experimental study

摘要

Vertical hydraulic transport systems for deep ocean mining have lengths up to a few kilometers from seafloor to sea surface. Typical ratios of particle diameter d over riser diameter D are d/D = 0(10(-1)), and the feeding of the riser is irregular. These conditions make the vertical transport operation susceptible to propagating density waves which is detrimental for the transport process. There is however few experience with hydraulic transport on this scale.