US4082359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the recovery of a material
Assignee: Nm Uranium Inc
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Filing: 1976-08-17
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1996-08-17
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 the mineral from a subterranean formation via solution mining. The improvement comprises switching a well which initially functions as a producer to an injector and vice versa after oxidant breakthrough has occurred at a production well.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew P. Spence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:36
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28; E21B43/16; E21B43/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 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 switching the functions of said wells when the oxidant concentration of the produced solution at said production well becomes greater than five parts per million, whereby said production well is utilized to inject said solution and oxidant and said injection well is utilized to recover said dissolved mineral.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 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 switching the functions of said wells when the oxidant concentration of the produced solution at said production well becomes greater than five parts per million, whereby said production well is utilized to inject said solution and oxidant and said injection well is utilized to recover said dissolved mineral.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said oxidant concentration is from about 15 to about 25 parts per million.
Claim 4
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 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said leach solution is acidic in nature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said acid leach solution is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said leach solution is alkaline in nature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 6 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 9
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)
US3734180A
Cited
US3881774A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |