US4066297A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the recovery of uranium
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1976-06-01
•
Granted: 1978-01-03
•
Expires: 1996-06-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a process for the solution mining of uranium from a subterranean formation. More specifically, the invention relates to the injection of an alkaline leach solution undersaturated in carbonates into a subterranean formation for the mining of uranium.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew P. Spence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:09
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B60/00; C22B60/02; C22B60/0204; C22B60/0217; C22B60/0221; C22B60/0247; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An improved process for the solution mining of uranium from a subterranean formation containing same in which an injection and production well are drilled and completed within said formation, alkaline leach solution and an oxidant are injected through said injection well into said formation to dissolve said uranium, and said dissolved uranium is recovered via said production well, wherein the improvement comprises introducing an alkaline leach solution undersaturated in carbonates into said formation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An improved process for the solution mining of uranium from a subterranean formation containing same in which an injection and production well are drilled and completed within said formation, alkaline leach solution and an oxidant are injected through said injection well into said formation to dissolve said uranium, and said dissolved uranium is recovered via said production well, wherein the improvement comprises introducing an alkaline leach solution undersaturated in carbonates into said formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 1 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 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said oxidant is selected from the group consisting of air, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvment of claim 1 wherein said alkaline leach solution is made undersaturated in carbonates by the removal of alkaline metal ions present in said alkaline leach solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said alkaline metal ions are removed via a water softening unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said alkaline metal ions are removed via bleeding a portion of the recycled alkaline leach solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said alkaline metal ions are selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.
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) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |