Vertical Zonality of Nonferrous Metal Salt Settling-Down on Evaporation Barrier

Abstract

The process of fluid mass transfer and formation of concentration zones on evaporation barrier in rock mass are studied. A series of experiments is carried out on a special testing plant in order to examine the process of settling-down on evaporation barrier and to determine parameters of vertical zonality in settling-down of simple and complex water-soluble nonferrous metal salts. The experimentation procedure is described. The regular patterns are found in the change in content in the direction toward the surface across the whole zone of aeration from the groundwater table. The higher salt concentration is observed on the rock mass surface, in the upper salt crust. This distribution law is typical either of simple or complex salts. The main parameters of settling kinetics and evaporation rate on the barrier are revealed and evaluated.