Table of contents

The special issue "Integrated equipping of quality control laboratories" includes research articles, scientific reviews and notes submitted by the participants of the international scientific and practical conference held at Saint-Petersburg Mining University.

In 2019, scientists, representatives of educational organizations, instrument-makers, specialists in the operation of measuring and testing equipment, quality control specialists from different regions of the Russian Federation and from other countries came together at the oldest Russian technical university to share their experience and knowledge. The participants of the conference, round tables and seminars discussed trends in the modern instrument-making industry, the potential of new measuring equipment, the latest changes in the regulatory framework for quality control and ensuring the uniformity of measurements.

The materials presented in this special issue cover a wide sphere of technical knowledge on industrial electronics, metrological support of measurements, and instrument making. Among the authors of the papers are well-known scientists from the leading universities of the Russian Federation, young scientists and specialists from the manufacturing sector. A significant part of the issue was prepared in collaboration with members of international professional organizations, societies and research institutions.

In the preparation of the papers and the compilation of the issue, the MineCite intellectual analytical system was used.

Editors:

Vasilyeva Maria Alexandrovna, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate professor of the Mining transport machines department, Senior Deputy of the Chairman of young scientists of Saint-Petersburg Mining University

Nagornov Dmitriy Olegovich, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate professor of the Geo-ecology department, Saint-Petersburg Mining University

Kremcheev Eldar Abdollovich, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Head of the Metrology and quality control department, Saint-Petersburg Mining University

List of Logo is available in this pdf.

All papers published in this volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the proceedings Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.

This article discusses a variety of diagnostic parameters and different control methods applied to trucks which are operated in open-pit mines. It contains the classification of truck parts and components based on their functions and the description of the main diagnostic parameters for each classification group. It analyzes equipment health monitoring practices and methods of predicting mean time between failures (MTBF) for the reduction drives of wheel motors produced by different companies. It describes one of the operational factors determining the choice of a nondestructive testing (NDT) method for the selected equipment. It analyzes the cost-effectiveness of using NDT methods and describes effective ways to reduce costs when using OTR tires taking into account the dependence of tire life on tire pressure and temperature.

The article describes frequency characteristics of semiconductor–metal–semiconductor Si–Ag–Si structures (ohmic contacts) having metal nanolayers as well as features of resonance phenomenon and sandwich structure energy interaction. Mathematical simulation of mentioned above processes is provided. The limiting factor for resonance process is determined. It is found that the resonance frequency is a subject of semiconductor-metal junction parameters while metal layer thickness impact is minor.

The article presents theoretical principles of the methods and devices for water activity (a_w) measurement. The purpose of the research is the increase of the validity of water activity indicator measurement on the basis of a direct method of material test; the optimization of the structure of an automated measuring device to provide the possibilities for a simultaneous study of several samples (for example, food materials) with various water activity levels. A developed measuring device allows a simultaneous determination of indicators in several samples (8) located circumferentially and includes thermal sensors. The sensors in this device are represented by induction coils. They are installed on both leg pipes (made of nonmagnet materials) of a liquid level manometer. The device contains a special silicon organic oil with the pressure of partial steams within 10-6 Pa (at normal conditions) used as a manometric liquid. While measuring the device is vacuumized and thermostated. The method and device approbation resulted in making calibration charts at various temperatures, approximated with the help of software. The device provides the validity of measurements in water activity range from 0.45 to 1.0.

The paper highlights the results of studies on the creation of a measuring complex suitable for experimental studies of the towing and coupling and dynamic properties of wheeled tractors operated in difficult geological conditions of peat deposits of various degrees of drainage. The conceptual solutions for the layout of the measuring complex, which allows carrying out field measurements of the kinematic and dynamic parameters of machine-tractor units, to measure the hook force and torque on the power take-off shaft, are presented. Solutions are proposed to support the testing process with auxiliary devices that create hook loads on tractors. The requirements for the organization of a technological site for conducting traction tests of wheeled tractors are given. As a result of the research work, a test procedure was developed; the issues of metrological support of research and processing of experimental data were resolved.

The article discusses issues related to the improvement of the operational reliability of downhole measurement systems. The circumstances of insufficient readings accuracy due to severe operating conditions are shown. The inherent negative factors are given, which jointly affect the reliability of the systems and measuring instruments in use. In particular, special attention is paid to vibration loads and the need for their measurement. The urgency of development and research of new reliable systems is demonstrated. A developed method for measuring the vibratory condition of a drill stem and a developed device for the implementation of this method are presented, and operation of the latter is analyzed.

The priority task in the mineral industry is to increase the efficiency of the exploited and infrastructure, equipment, including the creation of transport systems that have high performance while reducing the cost of transporting mineral raw materials and products of its processing. One-third of the world's mining companies use their mining systems at their enterprises to create a space. Backfilling activities are carried out in order to improve the safety of mining operations, namely, to control mining pressure, reduce possible mineral losses during excavation, prevent the occurrence of underground fires, as well as sudden outbursts of coal and gas, protect against destruction of objects in residential areas. Particular attention should be paid to the use of hydro-folding as a measure to prevent technogenic-tectonic earthquakes during long-term and continuous development of deposits. Taking into account the peculiarities of the materials used as a base when preparing filling mixtures, the specificity of the process of moving them to the bookmark site, necessary for obtaining a backfill array of required characteristics, is becoming increasingly important to use fundamentally new transport technologies for filling mixtures.

The article presents the main technological and power parameters of the clay grinder which depend on a number of geometric parameters, and various rheological characteristics of the processed material made it possible to derive pressure dependencies based on the flow of ductile masses which will allow designing such machines with rational geometric and kinematic parameters.

The authors of this paper give the characteristic and the principle of operation of the ICPE-9000 spectrometer, proposed for the chamber residue analysis that is one of the products of ion flotation, for individual rare earth elements and their mixture content by atomic spectroscopy. The chamber residue was obtained by conducting the ion flotation from nitrate solutions, containing individual rare earth elements of the cerium group and their mixture. The results of the analysis of the solutions by optical emission spectroscopy are shown in the form of molar concentration. According to the obtained experimental data, a tendency for the change of distribution coefficients, separation factors and pH values of maximum recovery at the different values of equilibrium aqueous phase pH value was identified. The possibility of the most effective separation of rare earth elements of the cerium group at different concentrations of indifferent ions was revealed, as well as the forms of recovered compounds were determined.

The features of X-ray fluorescence analysis of chalcogenide glassy semiconductors are considered in the research. The standard method was used to determine the concentrations of arsenic and selenium As_xSe_1-xalloys. The use of this method allows determining the quantitative composition of glasses with an accuracy of ± 0.0002.

The article presents developed automated process control system of the associated concentrate nanostructure production and the technical and system software, which includes a local process control system and software and hardware that are shared by the technological purpose. The main technological parameters controlled and managed by the APCS are reflected. The article presents the composition of lower-level control system of the plant for production line nanomaterial products, software and hardware complex heat-exchanger and coagulator. The requirements to the functioning modes of the APCS ACNP are presented. It is shown that the developed automated control system of technological process of associated concentrates nanostructures provides the opportunity for the system structure development, including the increase in the number of measurement points using a margin of 10% on signals of input/output. While software and information support of automated control systems CNAA involves changing the configuration of the system and possibility of its expansion through modernization and the introduction of new tasks (complexes of tasks and algorithms).

The article presents the results of the study of the effect of additive hydrogarnet sludge on the process of carboalumination desiliconization of aluminate solution. It is proved that type-ahead hydrogarnet sludge significantly intensifies the process of ultra-deep desiliconization due to the catalytic effect of the surface of the slurry in accordance with the theory of heterogeneous catalysis. A mathematical process model for the process of superdeep desiliconization in increased turnover hydrogarnet sludge is presented.

The article presents an analysis of the most common hardness measurement methods, implemented by portable hardness testers: rebound or Leeb method, static Portable Rockwell (PR) method and Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) method. These methods are reviewed in terms of the physical nature of the measurements and the influence of the measured sample properties and the probe parameters on the measurement result. The review contains advantages of each method, possible applications, as well as limitations due to the operation principles of probes. The article also contains the analysis of solving the problem of measurement results validity and their conformity with standardized hardness scales.

The aim of research is to develop skills of dialogue on professional topics in a foreign language. The objectives of the research are the following: analyze professional goals in programs; identify language skills used in the dialogue; investigate the role of self-study in developing the skills of professional communication; suggest ways of improving the dialogue skills (stimulate asking of questions, giving extended answers). Methods of research include literature analysis on the topics of oil benchmarks, methods of teaching professional communication as well as the interview with an expert in teaching foreign languages. The outcomes of research are planned to be a set of recommended exercises for developing of the dialogue skills.

Building an equidistant curve to amplitude-frequency characteristic of oscillatory system with one degree of freedom, we introduce the limited damping. The analogous studies were carried out for the systems with the large number of degrees of freedom and analogous conclusions were obtained. It is possible to conclude that the equidistant curve, as a volumetric curve, reflects the results, obtained in the experiment and observed on the screens of different instruments with the study of technical systems.

The scientific project «Evaluation of the applicability of measurement techniques to determine the quality of drinking and industrial water used in galvanic production» is devoted to the problems of improving the structure of the methodological base in the production laboratories of enterprises, ensuring its uniformity and efficiency. The paper presents a multi-criteria analysis of measurement methods.

Spontaneous combustion of coal beds is considered to be one of the most hazardous effects of coal mining. The most dangerous factor of this process is its abruptness due to several types of coal possible emergence of reaction at low-temperature conditions and subtle reaction behavior at initial stage of the process, which may turn into environmental disaster. Therefore, on many mines and strip mines, in terms of occupation health and safety program and fire- preventing measures realization, fire monitoring system are introduced, as well as spontaneous combustion source monitoring system to apply fire-preventing measures. The most effective type of monitoring systems is gas monitoring, at which cause in many countries, including Russia, spontaneous combustion source indication methods based on fire gases concentration measurement are developed. Those methods are based on sharp increase of some specific gases, such as carbon monoxide and methane, at some point of spontaneous combustion source temperature, which differs depending on coal type and coal deposit. However, the application of those methods does not always allow the advance detection of coal spontaneous combustion areas, due to its low accuracy and dependence of fire-indication gases from external exposure. For that reason, many authors are advising ratios of fire gases or indicator gases ratios as a means of higher-precise spontaneous combustion sources indication method. In this paper, the analysis of those ratios applicability is conducted as well as existing underground fires indication methods.

Classifier between states of "normal/high maintenance/defective" for oil-lubricated parts and units of D30KP/KP-2 aircraft gas turbine engines is developed. The classifier is based on "random forest" machine learning algorithm. It is trained on results of microwave plasma measurements of metallic admixture in oil filter wash samples of engines. Technical state for train set was determined earlier by expert method and was confirmed by factory disassembly study. Classifier result for states "normal/high maintenance/defective" matches expert method in 73 %, 52 %, 66 % respectively.

The article indicates the importance of thorough preparation of concentrate samples before hydrometallurgical operations; the experiments on studying of the factor of the size of the material are described. The comparative analysis of particle size after conventional and fine grinding is carried out. As obligatory stage of preparation of the crushed concentrate before autoclave leaching, the decarbonization process is studied. On the basis of the conducted experiments, the optimal regime of the autoclave leaching process is revealed, which provides the oxidation degree of sulfide sulfur of the order of 99%.

The article considers the features of the dynamics of systems with several degrees of freedom with the introduction of additional constraints. As an example, the authors consider the computational scheme of a locomotive traction engine with an axial overhung support. Different cases of the combination of perturbations were analyzed and the conditions for dynamic damping were determined. The specificity of the tasks to be solved was in the necessity to determine the conditions while choosing system parameters that would minimize the occurrence of cross-couplings. These conditions were determined and implemented through the introduction of additional inertial elements into the system structure. With an appropriate choice of system parameters, the vibration platform can be invariant with respect to the deviation to the kinematic effect xj(t). The necessary conditions that can be obtained by parallel inclusion of inertial and elastic elements in systems with low friction were considered.

In this research, a new method for evaluating the lubricating properties of prophylactic agents was developed. For the method, specialized metal models and a press with a strain-gauge s-shaped gauge, using for recording shear load indicators, were designed. Using the new method, prophylactic agents based on mixtures of light and heavy gas-oil catalytic cracking and delayed coking with the addition of tar or cracking residue as depressor additives were analyzed. A research of the hydrocarbon composition of the prophylactic agent, which was correlated with the removed shear load diagrams, was also made. As a result, the dependencies of the lubricating properties of fuels with a change in their fractional composition were identified, and the most effective PAs were determined.

Existing test methods for asphalt concrete do not consider the actual operating conditions of road surfaces. The method, equipment and results of studies of the influence of the combined effects of vibration vacuum water saturation, ultraviolet irradiation and freezing-thawing on the structural and mechanical properties of asphalt concrete from slag materials are presented.

The article describes the theoretical and practical aspects of the Six Sigma methodology and features of its implementation to optimize the educational process. The regulatory documents that can be used in the implementation of the method were analyzed. Particular attention was paid to the practical features of the implementation of the Six Sigma method and the development of target indicators of the educational process effectiveness. The developed system of performance targets is reliable and measurable and can be used in assessing the effectiveness of the educational process. The study also provided insights into the benefits of using the Six Sigma method in an educational institution. The goal of the study is to adapt the Six Sigma method for its use in the educational process and to analyze the main difficulties in the implementation of the method. The object of research in this article is the educational process. The analysis of scientific data, systematization was used in the article as a research method. Target performance indicators were developed by compiling and detailing information from literary sources, government standards and regulatory documents.

The Concentration tables are widely used for the enrichment of various materials due to a number of reasons, which include the low cost of the process and aggregates, high recovery of concentrate; environmental friendliness of the process. However, there are a number of problems associated with both the specific capacity of a single apparatus and the need to adjust the parameters of the process mode in accordance with the characteristics of the used raw materials. Currently, there are no automatic control systems for concentration tables, which is associated both with the lack of a mathematical apparatus for assessing the ore behavior during the process and with the complexity of using computer simulations for various types of materials consisting of liquid and solid systems. This article presents the prospects for the development of automatic control systems for concentration tables with regard to industry development trends.

The article touches upon the issue of restoring wetland ecosystems after the industrial extraction of peat. The analysis of the processes occurring in the swamp reclamation, and the ways of development of peat deposits technologies that reduce ecosystem restoration period after production.

The article tells about the Berkeley Pit and its environmental impact. The main chemical characteristics of mine water and water treatment systems are outlined. Possible ways of dealing with problem of ground water pollution are discussed.

This article discusses the use of a complex of GPR near-surface sounding and the possibility of using GPR in determining the location and spatial parameters of the outbreaks of coal and coal dumps with the aim of quickly making management decisions to minimize the negative impact on the environment.

The paper presents a new method for the assessment of the accuracy of micro-holes obtained by electrical discharge machining, which was called the "blades method" by the authors. This method allows estimating to a high precision the errors in size and shape (taper, ovality) of the holes in the cross-sections of different heights and the axial longitudinal section of the hole. The application of this method is especially effective in studies of the blind micro- holes, as well as non-cylindrical holes, the measurement of which is especially difficult. The developed method was tested in the study of hole profiles processed at different pulse energy. A technological method for EDM of the holes with the help of two modes is proposed, which reduces the main hole shape errors. The application of the developed method allowed increasing significantly the efficiency of studying the electrical discharge machining micro- holes accuracy.

The current state of water bodies in the zone of influence of the largest mining complexes in Russia – JSC "Apatit" and JSC "Kovdorsky GOK" was assessed on the basis of the conducted monitoring studies. The review of the natural and artificial materials with the high sorption capacity was carried out on the purpose of elimination of the revealed sources of hydrochemical anomalies. The paper presents the laboratory test results of sorbents depending on the methods of their modification, composition and properties of purified water. The introduction of developed sorbents into the wastewater treatment systems will significantly reduce the negative impact of the mining enterprises on surface waters, thus it will improve the environmental situation in the studied areas and the life quality of the local community.

Currently, improving the quality indicators of mass production and consumer goods is impossible without the use of modern software systems, means and methods of automation. The main systems capable of satisfying the tasks of modern enterprises and scientific organizations include Scada-systems, which provide the necessary control accuracy and versatility in conditions of low costs for additional staff training. Consider the prospects for improving the technical and economic indicators of metallurgical and chemical enterprises through the introduction of automation, on the example of the operation of concentration plants. Obviously, the main tool to increase the economic efficiency of production is to reduce various types of costs. Among the main cost items, fuel, feedstock and chemical reagents are distinguished, however, the undisputed leader is the cost of electricity, the work of the mills needed to grind the feedstock. On the other hand, the problem of timely and quick diagnosis of the internal components of the mills and the ability to choose the optimal mode of operation are also relevant tasks. These reasons significantly affect such process indicators as the quality of the crushed raw materials, the energy efficiency of the grinding process, reducing the cost of the production cycle, etc. To control the processes of grinding, loading of raw materials, monitoring the filling of the drum, the use of vibroacoustic primary transducers installed on the housing of the axle bearing of the drum mill is promising.

The new operation algorithm of the automatic input device of a reserve (AIR) together with the system of relay protection of power transformers of substation is offered. The increase in reliability and speed of the automatic input of a reserve is provided due to use of signs and algorithms of identification of emergencies and collaboration of a system of relay protection and automatic equipment of substation. The sign of identification of level of undervoltage on tires of the distributing device with automatic input of a reserve and also type of the relay protection which switched-off the equipment in emergency operation is entered. The formulas for calculation of parameters at which operation of AIR is provided are offered. The proof of efficiency of the offered signs and algorithms is executed on the basis of the analysis of oscillograms of parameters of emergency operation. The program realization of the offered algorithm on the basis of the microprocessor terminal of relay protection Sepam 1000+ is presented.

The article discusses caking of loose materials and main methods of its prevention. The main characteristics of nitrile-butadiene rubber are outlined. It is possible to obtain hydrophobic-modifying additives during thermochemical degradation of organic matter peat. The author presents a method for analyzing anticaking agents based on peat and mineral compositions. The comparative analysis of the effectiveness of anticaking agents made of kaolin and chalk is made. It is established that the treatment of powdered nitrile butadiene rubber with a hydrophobically modified chalk makes it possible to reduce its ability to cake by 22.5 times during long-term storage compared with the control sample.

The paper presents data on the influence of aerodynamic factor of quartz sand particles on a single particle erosion damage as a part of investigation of gas-abrasive wear of field equipment steel elements caused by solid particles impact in conditions of sand production of wells. The studies are mainly focused on calculating geometric characteristics of the crater obtained as a result of a single particle impact, such as maximum penetration depth and equivalent diameter of the crater, affected by the shape of the sand grains. The results have shown the significance of experimental and numerical data, including sphericity, roundness and shape factor of particles determination towards further calculation of particles impact parameters.

In this paper the models of a theoretical tank and a real size draining vessel are described and numerically simulated. The main idea is to demonstrate the Toricelli's law theorem for fluid dynamics for ideal liquid both for a theoretical vertical cylindrical tank and for a different geometry horizontal vessel of the same volume as the tank and compare the total time of liquid leaving the space of both of the reservoirs. The simulation is a multiphase problem containing two phases, which are water and air, is based on the VOF (volume of fluid) method discrete elements method (DEM) for simulating the sand bed formation for outlet nozzle capacity evaluation. As a result there are two-phase (gas-liquid) models of an "ideal" tank and an industrial vessel numerically calculated for determining and comparing the total time of water draining, and an extra model showing the dependence of sediment layer thickness on the outlet nozzle capacity.

The article presents the results of the study and analysis of the main structures of depositors. Identified the strengths and weaknesses of individual models. Structurally, the jigs are divided into two groups: movable and immovable sieve. It is believed that jigging machines with movable sieve offer better performance, require less water, but outcomes for them are worse than the jigging machine with a fixed sieve. Given the technical characteristics of the diaphragm jigging machines. Illuminated the depositors technical characteristics with a conical pul-sators. Most designs have a limited height undersize (running) part, which ensures machines compactness and ease of use in various condi-tions. A positive feature of the machine is the consistency of the diaphragm stroke, providing a "hard" mode pulsation environment.

A vibrating screen is a device for sorting materials, which is widely used in screening plants. The working ability of a vibrating screen relies on various parameters, such as dynamic parameters, technological parameters, and so forth. If it is necessary to find a reasonable set of parameters in order to enhance the machine's performance, it is essential to set up the vibration equation of the vibrating screen. This is also a part of the research content that the article mentions. The next step is to establish the equation of motion of random point-P on the screen box, conduct the simulation, and discuss the effect of the position of the vibratrion motor on the oscillation of vibrating screens. The result reveals that the farther the point is from the focus of vibrating screen, the higher the effect of the vibration motor placement on the amplitude of vibration will be. The points are symmetrical with each other across the focus tend to create the rule of change is opposite. When the vibration motor is moving in the positive direction of the horizontal direction, the vertical oscillation amplitude of the points lying on the upper sieve will increase gradually, while the bottom points will decrease progressively. When the vibration motor is moving in the negative direction of the horizontal direction the change rule is opposite to the case of positive direction; if the vibration motor is 0.3 meters away from the focus of screen, the vertical vibration amplitude of the points on the sieve reaches the maximum value. The research results are of considerable significance to reasonably design parameters for vibrating screen working well.

The article analyzes the factors that influence the process of unloading coal from the zone of its separation by cutters from the massif and loading the destroyed rock mass to the face conveyor by screw executive bodies of shearers. The modeling of the process of loading coal with a shearer to the face conveyor was carried out in order to improve the quality of loading. When modeling, the program EDEM 3D was used. As indicators of the effectiveness of the process adopted: productivity and specific energy consumption. Simulation of the process of loading coal with a shearer was carried out for the following options: the cross- sectional area of the loading window of the auger varied from 0.55 to 1.00 m²; the gap between the screw and conveyor is from 250 to 450 mm; combine feed speed – from 2 to 6 m/min; the angles of winding the blades were taken from 16° to 24°. The purpose of research is to find a comprehensive technical solution that provides resistance to the movement of coal flow, coal circulation in the stream, achieving the completeness of cleaning the soil and loading coal on the conveyor, the formation of a rational section of the coal flow on the conveyor.

During the period of production and exploiting of materials, complex physicochemical processes of interaction of their components with each other and with the environment take place. Identifying the mechanisms of this interaction will help to understand its various aspects and to optimize the technological processes of manufacturing materials with desired properties. The solution of this problem can be based on the interpretation of the results of acoustic emission (AE) tests from the standpoint of a multilevel model of the time dependences of the parameters of AE heterogeneous materials.

The analysis of trends in the development of resource assessment methods is given, a multi-level information-kinetic approach to acoustic emission diagnostics is described and its methodological relationship with the traditional experimental method of resource assessment is shown. The informative multi-model diagnostic parameters associated with various scale level strength characteristics of structural materials and resource technical objects are given. The examples of resource assessment of welded joints and rolling bearings are considered.

Insulation methods, helping to prevent the negative environmental impact of mine dumps, tailings and other waste storages, are considered and their drawbacks are revealed. The proposed two ways of environmentally sound and cost-effective preserving are described. The first approach is to form polymeric screens over the waste surface, as well as under a storage facility. The conducted experiments included the investigation of changes in physical and mechanical properties of polymers depending on their processing temperature. To study the suitability of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene and polypropylene, the damage to the coating structure integrity as a result of normal load application is assessed. The second approach is to cover slopes of the dumps with a three-dimensional erosion control mat. The subsequent hydroseeding allows ensuring complete coverage and high strength of the slope surface in a short time and at the lowest cost. In order to prevent mine dump erosion and minimise associated costs, the analysis of key properties was performed. It was revealed that polypropylene and polyester used as a geonet are characterised by the lowest volume of fertile soil needed to cover.

The article presents an assessment of the technogenic impact on the atmospheric air inflicted by oil and gas extracting and processing facilities in Western Siberia. It is revealed that heterogeneity and areal dispersion of emission sources are the key features of the considered industry. Mathematical statistics techniques allowed grouping sources of air pollution and determining the major air pollutants at the considered production facilities. It is proposed to design an automated operational environmental monitoring system with a hierarchical two-level structure for operational and reliable control of the natural environment in the impact area of the studied facilities.

The article presents the study of electronic and optical-mechanical levels. It describes the vertical comparator and the method of its use in the study of levels. In addition, a variant of the universal comparator which improves stationary capabilities is proposed. In the study of levels the errors in measuring exceedances at specified working distances are determined, including a description of the procedure for determining errors of undercompensation of the level slope and the total error of the course correctness of the telescope focusing lens and the errors of applying divisions of the range poles for optical levels, and scales with Rab-code divisions for electronic ones. The article is written as part of the implementation of the NRNU MEPhI Competitiveness Enhancement Program.

The article presents some experimental results of using a very low frequency (VLF) interferometer designed in INRTU for radio direction finding of VLF transmitters. It is evaluated that amplitude angular-position measurements provides azimuth accuracy of several degrees. Distant VLF stations (3000 – 5500 km) can be located in a 2-6 km area if the signal azimuth is known with 0.001° accuracy. In order to minimize errors associated with antenna's angular offset the authors developed a correcting algorithm. Using both radio direction finding methods and additional geophysical data (year and daily variations of solar terminator moving, signal disturbances during solar flares) the authors ascertained that 24.1 kHz and 25.0 kHz signals are emitted from the transmitter in Mokpo (South Korea). The phase measurements give about two times lower error of 1.5–2° for the NWC station (19.8 kHz, Australia) which is located more than 8200 km away from the VLF interferometer.

The necessity of a regulation of substantiated and interrelated technical tolerances through regulatory documents regarding the construction of automobile roads and their geodetic support is proven. The discrepancies in the requirements for the implementation of construction and geodetic works in the arrangement of the structural layers of road pavement foundations and coatings are pointed out. The regulation of accuracy standards in the construction of automobile roads, which does not correspond to the basic principles of probability theory, mathematical statistics and the theory of mathematical processing of measurements, is given as an example. In the case of exploitation of road-building machinery with automatic systems for the maintenance of leveling points, the execution of level runs with a class III accuracy is recommended, while in the case of exploitation of road-building machinery without automatic systems, the execution of level runs with a class IV accuracy is recommended.

The paper considers the causes of unbalance at the heat source during the normative consumption of resources, and also presents the results of the analysis of the metrological method of reducing the balance with statistical data and calculating the economic effect. Additionally, there are three options for solving the problem of unbalance, indicating the estimated economic effect for the station. The paper presents studies on the assessment of the imbalance in the supply and consumption of heat of an energy generating enterprise with a mixed consumption structure (instrument accounting, regulatory accounting). The possible solutions proposed in this work are based on the existing approach to estimating the uncertainty of instrumentation and are tested on arrays of statistical data from thermal power plants. For the proposed solutions to the problem of unbalance, an assessment of economic efficiency is made.

The paper presents relevance of application of non-destructive testing methods in the assessment of technical condition of the mining and oilfield machine components is justified. The prospects of diagnostics of process equipment by the excited oscillations analysis technique are proved. Design and operation algorithm of the multichannel synchronous analyzer Kamerton by LLC NPP ROS (Perm) are described. Methodological bases of defect finding using the multichannel Kamerton analyzer are described. The basic quality criteria characterizing the diagnostics-based state of technical elements are listed. It is proved that the mining and oilfield equipment technical condition assessment method by excited oscillations analysis allows carrying out operative diagnostics of technical facilities without shutdown. This method has no analogues in terms of efficiency compared to the traditional equipment nondestructive testing methods: magnetic particle, metal magnetic memory, ultrasonic flaw detection, ultrasonic thickness measurement, radiographic, metallographic, etc. In some cases, for example, for structures made of heterogeneous materials such as reinforced plastic or reinforced concrete, it is the only possible diagnosis method.

The paper presents analysis of the main instrumental monitoring methods of potassium beds outburst hazard. The main disadvantages of the existing means of predicting gas-dynamic phenomena in potassium beds are the low automation level and the cyclicality of measurements at a certain pitch or time interval, which leads to a decrease in the productivity of mechanized combine systems and adversely affects the safety of processes in the shrink stopping. The main requirements are laid down, which shall regulate the development of methods and techniques for predicting gas-dynamic phenomena in potassium beds. Design and operating principle of VATUR software logging system developed by members of the Mining Electrical Engineering Department of the Perm National Research Polytechnic University is described. The results of experimental researches on estimation of size and character of change of energy parameters of a potassium bed fragmentation by operating cutters of Ural-20R heading-and-tunneling machines are presented. The researches have shown that the measurement technique and the equipment reveal deviations of specific power inputs of a potassium bed fragmentation by the machine's operating members with high accuracy and speed. The results of the experimental studies made it possible to substantiate the prospects of using the energy parameter loggers of cutter-loaders at predicting gas-dynamic phenomena at potassium mines. The suggested concept of the software measuring complex can be used in the development of on-board parameter loggers of the heading-and-winning machines in potassium mines.

The results of testing partially synthetic Total Quartz 10W-40 SL/CF motor oil for thermo-oxidative stability in terms of optical density, volatility and coefficient of thermo- oxidative stability are presented taking into account the thermal energy absorbed by the products of oxidation and evaporation. The linear dependences of the decimal logarithm of thermal energy absorbed by the products of oxidation and evaporation and the total thermal energy absorbed by these products from the decimal logarithm of the test time in the temperature range from 160 to 190 ° C are established. A graphical and analytical model is proposed for predicting the indicators of thermo-oxidative stability, determined by the dependence of the decimal logarithm of the thermal energy absorbed by the products of oxidation and evaporation on the temperature of thermostating.

The article is devoted to the influence of brown coal additives on the sintering of the lime-nepheline charge in the technology of alumina production from nepheline. The process of extraction of humic compounds from brown coal is considered, the effect of humic additives on the rheological properties of pulp depending on the size and moisture content of carbon-containing additives is studied.

The article presents Russian and foreign experience in the recycling of sludge of urban sewage wastewater with the prospect of the beneficial use of both the direct waste and the products of its processing. Special attention is also paid to the problem of recycling of ashes of sewage sludge incineration. The article also considers the possibility of applying modern methods of analysis (such as X-ray fluorescence analysis, spectroscopy, biotesting) to develop a composition of the ash-based soil mixture. The study is realized on the laboratory and experimental base of the accredited Center for the collective use of high-tech equipment of Saint-Petersburg Mining University (as a part of state task for 2018-2019 year).

The article presents data on assessing metrological support management quality based on the probabilistic approach. Assessing event probability can be additional important information in planning and analyzing complex processes such as metrological management. The analysis was carried out by comparing the requirements for metrological support with information about real situations. Requirements for metrological support are developed on the basis of regulatory legal acts, company management instructions, optimization of resource consumption, as well as taking into account company development prospects. To a large extent, the achievement of metrological support goals depends on management quality. The final step in assessing the quality of metrological support management is development of the results of assessment and formulation of conclusions (recommendations).

The present work is devoted to the prediction of the excavation stability and analysis of the geo-mechanical processes near the excavation under dynamic impact. The development of a numerical model of the forecast of the development of a stress-strain state with allowance for the dynamic effect taking into account the geometric parameters of the mining development, the speed and nature of the application of the load, and the formation of zones of intense fracturing in its vicinity are performed. The influence of the intensity of the dynamic effect on the nature of the manifestation of geo-mechanical and geodynamic processes in the vicinity, the movement of the contour of the rock excavation, and the probability of ejection of the rock mass are determined.

Nowadays the waste management is one of the most pressing problems in the industry of mineral resources extraction and processing. The main method of waste disposal is storage on the surface of the Earth in the form of anthropogenic arrays. Anthropogenic arrays have an integrated and long-term impact on the atmospheric air. In this regard, the need for continuous monitoring of the state of atmospheric air in order to identify the main sources of dust emission and their quick elimination acquires particular relevance. This task can be performed by automating the existing system of industrial environmental monitoring. The article touches upon the issues of the implementation of the task of continuous monitoring of the dust content of atmospheric air in the areas of the anthropogenic arrays impact. The structure of the automated system of industrial environmental monitoring for the rapid detection of sources of intense dust emission, their ranking by the degree of potential danger and the measures for their timely elimination are proposed.

One of the main environmental problems in oil production in the world today is the utilization of associated petroleum gas (APG) by combustion it in flares. At the same time, this process has enormous economic damage, since APG is a potential raw material that can be used to produce marketable products, power or heat energy. More than 30 billion cubic meters of APG are combusted in flares annually only in Russia, which is about 20% of the total amount of combusted APG in the world. It should be noted that combustion of 1 billion cubic meters of APG is equivalent to the loss of marketable products worth more than 300 million dollars. In the present article, the authors carried out a selection of the optimal method for utilization of APG at small fields in Russia and its environmental and economic justification. The method of power generation directly at the field using gas turbine power station was adopted as the most cost-effective method. The implementation of such a project at the field reduces emissions of pollutants hundreds of times, and payback period does not exceed 2.5 years.

The paper discusses the method of processing the metals and alloys spectra, which were obtained using emission spectrometers with spark excitation spectra. The proposed technique makes it possible to build a global method for analyzing any alloys, taking into account the so-called "third elements effects".

Based on modern computer technologies developed by National Instruments, a virtual device for adjusting, controlling and studying various noise characteristics has been developed. Signs helping identify the laws of random signal probability distribution are smoothness or sharpen-ing, asymmetry and uncertainty. Examples of identification of noise characteristics of elec-tronic devices are provided; instrument technologies are used to monitor the technical condi-tion of such devices.

The article presents the results of research on the development of methods for obtaining normal heights in Vietnam using the global geoid model EGM2008 and software for processing GNSS measurements. The errors between the normal heights computed by the global model of the EGM2008 geoid and the heights found by GNSS measurements and geometric levelling on the territory of Vietnam are determined. The localisation method for the global geoid model EGM2008 for Vietnam's territory is suggested, such a geoid model is practically formed as the EGM2008_ TN file. Tests of the developed technique and the localised model of the EGM2008__TN geoid were carried out, showing the possibility of its application to obtain normal heights from GNSS measurements in Vietnam with the 4th levelling accuracy class.

The article deals with the features of the use of laser tape measure for the transfer of heights from the Earth surface to the upper levels in civil engineering and to a mine in surveying. The most suitable engineering solution for the transfer of height to the mine is justified. Certain experimental results are presented. The algorithm that increases the accuracy of the transmission marks to the mine in the construction of deep tunnels is developed.

Petroleum quality indicators should be monitored at all stages of petroleum production, preparation and transportation quickly and efficiently. Such a critically important indicator as the mass fraction of water in petroleum determines not only its quality, but also has a huge impact on the performance properties of the equipment and the pipeline. The article demonstrates the automation of laboratory research in determining the mass fraction of water in petroleum: the modernization of existing research using optical sensors and a data acquisition board. As a result, the complexity of the research is reduced, the work of laboratory research is optimized. The article presents the assembly diagram of the automated installation, compiled an algorithm for the software.

The article solves the problem of automated control of laboratory research process in determining the mass of mechanical impurities in petroleum. The research analyzed the features of the test and identified the need for an automated control system of this test. The developed automated system controls the filtering process of the sample and pump power, allows simultaneous parallel studies on independent suction lines, while optimizing the pump motor power, depending on the number of used lines. The article provides a block diagram describing the basic system algorithm and scheme of the laboratory tests automated installation in determining the mass of mechanical impurities in petroleum. The result is a reduction in the complexity of the study, optimization of laboratory research.

In the presented article, the phenomena that characterize the essence of the process of fastening pipes to the tube sheet by the method of electropulse pressing are described. The article presents the results relating to methods and means of measurement, testing and operation of products in engineering, including theoretical studies of methods for fastening heat-exchange tubes into a tube sheet. The disadvantages of traditional methods of fastening pipes to the tube sheet are revealed. The analysis of the prospects of pipes electropulse pressing into the tube sheet is conducted. Using the dimensional analysis method, similarity criteria were obtained for the process of electropulse press-fitting of pipes into a tube sheet, which allow extending the results obtained on a reduced-scale model to products of natural dimensions.

The article discusses the problem of control automation for wells equipped with sucker rod pumps. The main goals of such automation are presented, the achievement of which allows increasing well productivity, as well as improving working conditions of staff. As a result of the study, the analysis of the features of wells automation equipped with sucker rod pumps was carried out. The principles of automation of such an object were considered and a control system diagram was presented. The presented functional diagram of the SCADA system involves the use of a number of sensors to measure the current parameters of the well. Using the expert assessment method, a reasonable choice of specific measuring devices was made. Reviewed measuring devices are modern equipment of Russian and foreign production, which has a good service life and the necessary measurement accuracy.

The article discusses the problem of control automation for integrated oil treatment unit. The main goals of such automation are presented, the achievement of which allows increasing oil treatment unit productivity, as well as improving working conditions of staff. As a result of the study, an analysis of the features of oil treatment unit automation was carried out. The principles of automation of such an object were considered and an oil treatment unit principal schema was presented. The presented features of the SCADA system involve the use of a number of sensors to measure the current parameters of the oil treatment unit. Using the expert study method, a reasonable choice of specific measuring and control devices was made. Reviewed measuring and control devices are modern equipment of Russian and foreign production, which have a good service life and the necessary measurement accuracy.

The article presents the scientific and technical studies to create an effective system for balancing the lever mechanism of the centrifugal grinding unit with the possibility of automatic adjustment during the technological grinding process for changing the size of the grinding load in the working chambers.

A new simple universal form of the Kelvin equation, which can be used near the gas-liquid phase transition critical point, and the correction of the pressure and density for gas phase fluid outside the porous medium are used for the normal pentane meniscus effective curvature radius calculation at the phase equilibrium in mesoporous silica MCM-41, on the basis of the capillary evaporation and condensation experimental data. Normal pentane is suggested as a promising fluid for characterizing the porosity that can be used even at room temperature.

The analysis of control quality of technological process of melting of copper-Nickel sulfide materials is carried out. The structure of the automatic melting control system is proposed, information and control channels are described. The algorithm of process control using fuzzy logic, which allows stabilizing the copper content in the matte within the specified limits.

The article discusses options for solving the problem of ocean pollution by oil products. Currently, it is important to measure the thickness of an oil film to obtain information on the volume of spills and operations to eliminate them. The features of non-contact methods and the main characteristics and conditions of the use of means for measuring the thickness of an oil film are discussed. The accuracy of measurements in real conditions (in the presence of surface waves) was identified.

In this work, the influence of the structure of the adsorption layer of the modified aluminum dispersed powder on the thickness of the boundary layer of the tribosystem with lubrication in the form of oil I-20 with the addition of surface-modified samples was studied. The thickness of the lubricating layer (according to Petrov formula), the value characterizing the antifriction properties under boundary friction conditions, was calculated. The data on the effect of adsorption of various quaternary ammonium compounds on the boundary layer are important for understanding the interaction of these additives with oil components and their ability to reduce friction in the system.

The choice of an effective quality management system is a non-trivial task which requires a special approach. We consider the main changes in the new edition of the international standard for quality management systems ISO 9001: 2015, its impact on the workflow and benefits.

The article presents the algorithms for demodulating binary channels of data transmission lines with frequency multiplexing used in remote control and warning systems. The noise immunity of the algorithms were investigated. It is shown that significant simplification and significant noise immunity increasing can be obtained by applying the majority decision rule.

The article discusses examination automation of thermohydraulic processes in the low-temperature main pipeline for liquified hydrocarbon. The computerized simulation of the nonisothermal flow of liquified hydrocarbon in the low-temperature main pipeline is performed by means of ANSYS/FLUENT software package. The authors have performed the analysis of the nature how the temperature and the pressure is distributed in the flow of liquified hydrocarbon mixture along the pipeline length. The computational model of the low- temperature pipeline for examination of hydraulic and thermal loss of the pumped mixture of liquified hydrocarbon is designed. The possibility of application of ANSYS/FLUENT computational fluid dynamics software package is proved for automation of thermohydraulic calculation of the low-temperature pipeline for liquified hydrocarbon mixture taking its thermophysical properties into account.

This article is intended to help an organic chemists and industrial engineers to choose a suitable method for the analysis of substances with complex structure and its control in industry. In the paper the current level of the NMR development and analytical abilities of the different NMR techniques is considered. It is noticed, that as a rule the results of the one-dimensional NMR are quite difficult to interpret in the case of a complex molecular structure. The main principles and different varieties of two-dimensional NMR techniques are described.

The research of the properties of the complex alumínate solutions obtained through Bayer process or sintering process, will enable to determine the optimal parameters for the process, to increase the efficiency of the production and will be instrumental in high quality alumina production. The key stages of the alumina production through Bayer process which define its efficiency are digestion and decomposition processes. The main properties of the obtained products and amount of losses of the commercial components are established on these stages.

The article proposes a way to improve the existing system for forecasting the technical condition of vehicles at electric transport enterprises. The authors propose a three-level architecture of the software and hardware of the information system and its implementation in Intranet and Internet technologies. The transition to a three-level system is primarily due to the desire to reduce the information system costs, which consists of the cost of equipment, software and operating expenditures. In addition, the work defines the structure of effective forecasting of the developed system operation.

The article examines the conditions for the appearance of such components of inactive power in electric alternating current networks, which are known as reactive power and distortion power. Through simulation modeling, the validity of the expressions that were obtained analytically and determine the components of inactive power was verified. The validation of expressions based on theoretical concepts. The results are useful in optimizing modes in AC networks and creating effective technical means of compensating latent capacities.