Change of Elastic Wave Velocity in Granite after Radiation Exposure and Prospects for Energy Consumption Reduction in Ore Pretreatment

The regular patterns are revealed in the influence exerted by the absorbed dose on the elastic wave velocity in granite after radiation exposure. It is shown that the major change in velocity of P-and S-waves in the treated cores of granite is observed when the absorbed dose is 10 kGy. The energy consumption in breaking and crushing can be estimated in the tests of uniaxial compression up to failure. Radiation exposure of granite cores to the dose of 10 kGy reduces energy consumption from 7.68 to 3.06 J in uniaxial compression up to failure and from 700.4 to 470.88 J in crushing. The obtained result is important for improvement of ore pretreatment processes.