Patent US4032194A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4032194A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the production of minerals
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1976-08-23
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1996-08-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an improved method for the solution mining of a mineral from a subterranean formation. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved method which enhances significantly the recovery of a mineral from a subterranean formation via solution mining utilizing an injection and production well. The improvement comprises positioning an injection well in the reduced zone and a production well in the oxidized zone of a formation.
Inventors
- 👤 Eddie P. Howell
- 👤 Orland J. Gant, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An improved method for the solution mining of a mineral from a subterranean formation containing same in which an injection and production well are drilled and completed within said formation, leach solution and an oxidant are injected through said injection well into said formation to dissolve said mineral, and said dissolved mineral is recovered via said production well, wherein the improvement comprises positioning said injection well in the reduced zone and said production well in the oxidized zone of said formation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An improved method for the solution mining of a mineral from a subterranean formation containing same in which an injection and production well are drilled and completed within said formation, leach solution and an oxidant are injected through said injection well into said formation to dissolve said mineral, and said dissolved mineral is recovered via said production well, wherein the improvement comprises positioning said injection well in the reduced zone and said production well in the oxidized zone of said formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said mineral is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, molybdenum, rhenium, selenium and uranium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said leach solution is acidic in nature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said acid leach solution is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said leach solution is alkaline in nature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said alkaline leach solution is an aqueous solution of one or more salts selected from the group consisting of ammonium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and their respective bicarbonates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said oxidant is selected from the group consisting of air, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |