US3278232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In situ leaching method
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1963-09-26
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Granted: 1966-10-11
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Expires: 1983-09-26
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 John L Fitch
- 👤 Hurd Billy George
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:54
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
AN IN SITU LEACHING METHOD FOR RECOVERING FROM SUBSURFACE MINERAL DEPOSITS METALLIC IONS CAPABLE OF COMBINING WITH AMMONIA TO FORM METAL-AMMONIA COMPLEX ION THAT ARE SOLUBLE IN WATER, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: (A) FLOODING THE DEPOSIT WITH WATER UNTIL IT IS SUBSTANTIALLY WATER-WET (B) DISPLACING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE AIR-STIPPABLE WATER FROM THE DEPOSIT WITH WATER UNTIL IT IS SUBTHE PERMEABILITY TO GAS OF THE WATER-WETTED DEPOSIT SUFFICIENTLY TO PERMIT A CONTINUOUS FLOW OF AIR THERETHROUGH, (C) PASSING GASEOUS AMMONIA INTO THE WATER-WETTED DEPOSIT WHEREBY METALLIC IONS CAPABLE OF COMBINING WITH AMMONIA TO FORM COMPLEX IONS ARE MADE SOLUBLE IN WATER, AND (D) RECOVERING THE RESULTING METAL-AMMONIA COMPLEX IONS FROM THE DEPOSITS BY DISPLACEMENT WITH A WATERFLOOD CONTAINING SUFFICIENT AMMONIA TO PRESERVE THE COMPLEX IONS IN SOLUTION IN SUCH WATERFLOOD.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
AN IN SITU LEACHING METHOD FOR RECOVERING FROM SUBSURFACE MINERAL DEPOSITS METALLIC IONS CAPABLE OF COMBINING WITH AMMONIA TO FORM METAL-AMMONIA COMPLEX ION THAT ARE SOLUBLE IN WATER, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: (A) FLOODING THE DEPOSIT WITH WATER UNTIL IT IS SUBSTANTIALLY WATER-WET (B) DISPLACING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE AIR-STIPPABLE WATER FROM THE DEPOSIT WITH WATER UNTIL IT IS SUBTHE PERMEABILITY TO GAS OF THE WATER-WETTED DEPOSIT SUFFICIENTLY TO PERMIT A CONTINUOUS FLOW OF AIR THERETHROUGH, (C) PASSING GASEOUS AMMONIA INTO THE WATER-WETTED DEPOSIT WHEREBY METALLIC IONS CAPABLE OF COMBINING WITH AMMONIA TO FORM COMPLEX IONS ARE MADE SOLUBLE IN WATER, AND (D) RECOVERING THE RESULTING METAL-AMMONIA COMPLEX IONS FROM THE DEPOSITS BY DISPLACEMENT WITH A WATERFLOOD CONTAINING SUFFICIENT AMMONIA TO PRESERVE THE COMPLEX IONS IN SOLUTION IN SUCH WATERFLOOD.
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) | 1969-10-10 | 1970-04-11 | 1970-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-10-10 | 1974-04-11 | 1974-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-10-10 | 1978-04-11 | 1978-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |