US3640579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In situ pressure leaching method
Assignee: ARTHUR E LEWIS
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Filing: 1970-04-28
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1990-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear chimney located below the water table in a primary ore deposit serves as an in situ pressure vessel in which ore can be oxidized and a desired element contained in the ore subsequently recovered in a leach solution. After the nuclear chimney has flooded with water under substantial hydrostatic pressure, oxidizing gas is percolated through the contained ore and water mixture to dissolve and oxidize the ore minerals. Ammonia may be added with the oxidizing gas to render the solution basic. The solution is pumped from the chimney and may be recirculated with or without heating until the desired concentration is obtained. The oxidizing gas may also be heated prior to its introduction into the chimney.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur E Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:25
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28; E21B43/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
30 words
A leaching method according to claim 1, further defined by heating said gas prior to its introduction to said chimney to increase the temperature therein and accelerate the oxidation reaction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
A leaching method according to claim 1, further defined by introducing ammonia together with said oxidizing gas to said chimney for dissolution in said solution to render it basic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A leaching method according to claim 1, further defined by said desired element being copper, said ore being primary copper sulfides, and said gas being oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A leaching method according to claim 1, further defined by recirculating said solution through said chimney until a predetermined concentration of said desired element is contained therein prior to recovery of said element therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A leaching method according to claim 5, further defined by heating said solution during the recirculation thereof to increase the temperature in said chimney and accelerate the oxidation reaction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A leaching method according to claim 1, further defined by the introduction of oxidizing gas to said chimney comprising drilling at least one first shaft to communicate with the bottom of said chimney, and delivering said gas to the bottom of said chimney via each first shaft; and the extraction of said solution from said chimney comprising drilling at least one second shaft to communicate with the top of said chimney, and pumping said solution from said chimney to the ground surface via each second shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A leaching method according to claim 7, further defined by delivering said solution pumped to the ground surface to the bottom of said chimney via each first shaft to recirculate said solution through said chimney until a predetermined concentration of said desired element is contained therein prior to recovery of said element therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A leaching method according to claim 8, further defined by heating said gas prior to its introduction to said chimney and heating said solution during the recirculation thereof to thereby increase the temperature in said chimney and accelerate the oxidation reaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A leaching method according to claim 7, further defined by delivering ammonia with said oxidizing gas to the bottom of said chimney for dissolution in said solution to render it basic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2563623A
Cited
US3545964A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |