The paper introduces a mathematical model that describes the cavitation process occurring during the passage of a water steam flow in various geometric configurations of a hydrodynamic device. The flow experiences a localized constriction (convergent nozzle) followed by expansion (divergent nozzle), exemplified by a Venturi tube or a Laval nozzle. A narrow flow channel connecting the convergent and divergent sections is equipped with a narrow-section nozzle for injecting methane molecules into the high-speed steam flow. As the steam-gas mixture passes through this zone, it is irradiated with an electron beam and sprayed into a cylindrical chamber at atmospheric pressure, where the distribution of methane molecules in water vapor forms an aerosol. Key geometric parameters of the constriction and expansion zones of the hydraulic system (cavitation-jet chamber) are determined to ensure the uniform distribution of dispersed-phase particles (methane) in the dispersion medium (water vapor). Velocity and pressure distributions of the mixed steam-gas flow are calculated using a turbulent mathematical model, specifically the k-ω model, while the motion of methane particles is simulated using a particle tracing method. The uniformity of methane molecule distribution in water vapor is assessed using Ripley’s K-function. The best performance of the hydrogen-producing chamber was observed when the cavitation-inducing nozzle’s convergence angle exceeded 50 degrees. The divergence angle of the nozzle within the range of 30–40 degrees provided the best distribution in terms of uniformity of the methane particles in the chamber.

Mineral mining using the in-situ leaching method is based on injecting of leaching solution into the ore formation through injection wells, leaching out the mineral and extracting the pregnant solution (dissolved mineral) through the production wells. During the stage of the field designing, the main task is to determine the optimal drilling-in pattern, which implies the choice of the optimal location of the injection and production wells. This article is considered the different modes of the distance between production and injection wells with a hexagonal location and determines the optimality based on the economic indicators of each mode. As a result of the study, for the problem statement, the optimal distance between the wells was determined.

The work presents an approach to enhance the forecasting capabilities of In-Situ Leaching processes during both the production stage and early prognosis. ISL, a crucial method for resource extraction, demands rapid on-site forecasting to guide the deployment of new technological blocks. Traditional modeling techniques, though effective, are hindered by their computational demands and network throughput requirements, particularly when dealing with substantial datasets or remote computing needs. The integration of AI technologies, specifically neural networks, offers a promising opportunity for expedited calculations by leveraging the power of forward propagation through pretrained neural models. However, a critical challenge lies in transforming conventional numerical datasets into a format suitable for neural modeling. Furthermore, the scarcity of training data during the production phase, where vital parameters are concealed underground, poses an additional challenge in training AI models for In-Situ Leaching processes. This research addresses these challenges by proposing a methodology for generating training data tailored to the most resource-intensive Computational Fluid Dynamics problems encountered during modeling. Traditional numerical modeling techniques are harnessed to construct training datasets comprising input and corresponding expected output data, with a particular focus on varying well network patterns. Subsequent efforts are directed at the conversion of the acquired data into a format compatible with neural networks. The data is normalized to align with the data ranges stipulated by the activation functions employed within the neural network architecture. This preprocessing step ensures that the neural model can effectively learn from the generated data, facilitating accurate forecasting of In-Situ Leaching processes. An advantage of proposed technique lies in provision of large, reliable datasets to train neural network to predict hydrodynamic properties based on technological regimes currently active or expected on ISL site. A major implication of this approach lies in applicability of pre-trained AI technologies to forecast future or determine current hydrodynamic regime in the stratum circumventing cost deterministic simulations currently deployed at mining sites. Hence, innovative approach outlined in this paper holds promise for optimizing forecasting, allowing for quicker and more efficient decision-making in resource extraction operations while getting around the computational barriers associated with traditional methods.