US3620571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single-well heated gas mining method and apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-16
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A mineral recovery method useful for mining liquefiable minerals, e.g., sulfur, involves the injection of hot gas, preferably with steam, through a series of concentric injection tubes which penetrate to the bottom of the mineral formation, and purging connate water from the vicinity of the tubes penetrating the formation by injection of such hot gas into the formation. The hot gas flow from the lowermost injection port is then stopped and hot gas flow is continued into the formation from upper injection ports, about 3 to 5 feet above the lower ports. The melted mineral collects as a pool in the vicinity of the lower injection ports and is pumped or air-lifted to the surface by conventional means and is maintained in a fused state by the heat of inflowing gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin H Billings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/285; E21B36/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for mining a heat-liquefiable mineral from a subsurface formation penetrated by a single well which comprises: introducing a mixture consisting essentially of hot gas, said hot gas comprising heated fuel combustion products and steam, to the formation at vertically spaced points proximate the bottom of said mineral formation deposit in an amount sufficient to liquefy the mineral in the region of such introduction; discontinuing hot gas flow to the lowermost of said vertically spaced points and continuing hot gas flow to the upper of said points to purge connate water from said formation and to liquefy mineral above said lowermost point; collecting said liquefiable mineral in the vicinity of said lowermost point; and retrieving saId liquid mineral to the surface from said lowermost point.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for mining a heat-liquefiable mineral from a subsurface formation penetrated by a single well which comprises: introducing a mixture consisting essentially of hot gas, said hot gas comprising heated fuel combustion products and steam, to the formation at vertically spaced points proximate the bottom of said mineral formation deposit in an amount sufficient to liquefy the mineral in the region of such introduction; discontinuing hot gas flow to the lowermost of said vertically spaced points and continuing hot gas flow to the upper of said points to purge connate water from said formation and to liquefy mineral above said lowermost point; collecting said liquefiable mineral in the vicinity of said lowermost point; and retrieving saId liquid mineral to the surface from said lowermost point.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for mining a heat-liquefiable mineral from a deposit in a subsurface formation penetrated by a single well which comprises: introducing a mixture consisting essentially of hot gas, said gas comprising heated fuel combustion products and steam, said mixture being at about 240* F. to about 320* F., to the bottom portion of said deposit through two concentric tubes, the inner of said tubes having ports vertically spaced below the ports of the outer of said tubes to liquefy the mineral in the bottom region of said formation; discontinuing hot gas flow through said inner tube while continuing hot gas flow through the outer of said tubes; collecting said liquefied mineral in the vicinity of the ports of said inner tube; and retrieving the liquid mineral to the surface through said inner tube.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for mining a heat-liquefiable mineral from a deposit in a subsurface formation penetrated by a single well which comprises: introducing a mixture consisting essentially of hot gas, said gas comprising heated fuel combustion products and steam, said mixture being at about 240* F. to about 320* F., to the bottom portion of said deposit through two concentric tubes, the inner of said tubes having ports vertically spaced below the ports of the outer of said tubes to liquefy the mineral in the bottom region of said formation; discontinuing hot gas flow through said inner tube while continuing hot gas flow through the outer of said tubes; collecting said liquefied mineral in the vicinity of the ports of said inner tube; and retrieving the liquid mineral to the surface through said inner tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said heat-liquefiable mineral is sulfur.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said hot gas is generated by compressing air and fuel to a sufficient pressure to overcome the formation pressure in the region from which said liquefiable mineral is to be recovered; burning said fuel with excess air to insure complete combustion; exhausting the heated fuel combustion products of such burning operations beneath the surface of a water pool to add steam thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said heated fuel combustion products are dispersed from longitudinally spaced ports beneath said water surface to permit said dispersed combustion products to rise through a substantial water surface area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 4 including the steps of sensing the temperature of said heated fuel combustion products and said steam; and adjusting the distance beneath the water level of said water pool at which said heated fuel combustion products are exhausted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said adjustment is accomplished by adding or draining water from said water pool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 including injecting compressed gas to the region of said liquefied mineral to assist retrieval thereof to the surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for recovery of a liquefiable mineral from a subsurface deposit which comprises: a source of pressurized air and fuel; means to mix said air and fuel; burner means to burn said air and fuel under pressure to form heated combustion products; a water pool; exhaust means on said burner means defining a series of longitudinally spaced exhaust ports, said exhaust means submerged laterally below the surface of said water pool for exhausting said heated combustion products beneath the surface of said water pool to produce a hot-gas-steam mixture; concentric inner and outer tube means extending from the surface to proximate the bottom of the mineral deposit to be mined, said inner and outer tube means both communicating with the mineral deposit, said inner tube means communicating with said mineral deposit at a level below said outer tube means; and means to selectively direct flow of said hot-gas-steam mixture to said inner and outer tubes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for recovery of a liquefiable mineral from a subsurface deposit which comprises: a source of pressurized air and fuel; means to mix said air and fuel; burner means to burn said air and fuel under pressure to form heated combustion products; a water pool; exhaust means on said burner means defining a series of longitudinally spaced exhaust ports, said exhaust means submerged laterally below the surface of said water pool for exhausting said heated combustion products beneath the surface of said water pool to produce a hot-gas-steam mixture; concentric inner and outer tube means extending from the surface to proximate the bottom of the mineral deposit to be mined, said inner and outer tube means both communicating with the mineral deposit, said inner tube means communicating with said mineral deposit at a level below said outer tube means; and means to selectively direct flow of said hot-gas-steam mixture to said inner and outer tubes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including: water inlet and outlet means communicating with said water pool to control the depth of submersion of said exhaust means below the water level of said water pool; and temperature-regulating means for sensing the temperature of said hot-gas-steam mixture and regulating flow through said water inlet and outlet means to adjust the water level in said pool in response to said temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including: gaslift tube means extending concentrically within said inner tube means to provide gas to assist retrieval of the liquefied mineral.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including: gas vent tube means disposed concentrically outside said outer tube means to the upper portion of said mineral deposit; and means to vent excess pressure from sAid deposit at the surface through said gas vent tube means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein aid burner means is disposed above the water level of said water pool and including means defining a substantially straight path for said heated combustion products from said burner means to said exhaust means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |