The energy intensity of carbonate rock destruction under nival conditions at varying salinity levels

Abstract

This article presents the findings of experimental investigations conducted to assess the influence of alternating temperature variations on the energy consumption associated with the destruction of dolomite samples from the Internatsionalnaya pipe and limestone samples from the Mokhsogolloh quarry. The evaluations were carried out under nival conditions, involving exposure to varying concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, with salt concentrations ranging from 0% to 20%. The findings reveal that after five freeze-thaw cycles in a nival environment, the energy required for the destruction of dolomite from the Internatsionalnaya pipe decreased by 6% in the absence of salt (0% concentration). However, as the concentration of salt in the solution increased, the energy necessary for the destruction of the dolomite samples escalated to levels comparable to those recorded prior to the freeze-thaw cycles. In contrast, the energy required for the degradation of limestone samples from the Mokhsogolloh quarry decreased by a maximum of 15% after five freeze-thaw cycles, regardless of the salt concentration present in the solution. Thus, unlike the dolomite from the Internatsionalnaya pipe, the influence of salt concentration on the energy intensity of limestone destruction from the Mokhsogolloh quarry was not observed. Furthermore, it was concluded that nival weathering conditions have a lesser effect on the examined rock samples compared to aquatic conditions.