Cohesive Sediment Erosion Induced By Coandă-Effect-Based Polymetallic-Nodule Collector

Abstract

The increasing demand for rare minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and copper, driven by the growth of the world population and the transition towards sustainable energy technologies, has become a pressing concern. These minerals are crucial for electrifying the transportation sector through electric vehicle production and are in high demand for the thriving high technology industry. However, their scarcity and high prices due to supply shortages necessitate alternative sources to meet these demands. In recent years, deep-sea mining has emerged as a promising solution to address the growing need for rare minerals. The vast potential reserves in the ocean floor offer an enticing opportunity for exploration and extraction. However, deep-sea mining comes with its engineering and environmental complexities that require thorough investigation and understanding. This research delves into the experimental study of a Coandă-Effect-Based Collector, aiming to understand its behaviour regarding water entrainment and cohesive sediment erosion. The focus is on understanding the collection mechanism to minimize clay pickup and maintain low clay concentration in the discharged mixture. This is vital in mitigating the impact of deep-sea mining activities on the marine environment. This research provides valuable insights into water entrainment and cohesive sediment erosion in the context of the Coandă-Effect-Based Collector. The findings emphasize the significance of operating parameters and shed light on the complexities of the collection mechanism. Future studies should explore additional data collection to understand the influence of the secondary jet duct better and employ reliable methods for measuring clay concentrations in the discharged water. Overall, these findings have important implications for optimizing collector design and mitigating the environmental impact of nodules mining activities.