US3652129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solution mining method
Assignee: KALLUM CHEMICALS Ltd
•
Filing: 1970-08-11
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1990-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of operating a solution mining cavity which has come into open contact or communication with an underground, waterbearing formation is described in which flow into and out of the cavity is controlled generally to provide a feed to the cavity slightly in excess of the fluid withdrawn from the cavity. Control is established by introducing solvent into and removing product solution from the cavity at a controlled rate to insure that the quantity of fluid fed into the cavity is in excess of the quantity of fluid removed from the cavity. The invention is described particularly with respect to the solution mining of KC1.
Inventors
- 👤 Byron P Edmonds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:17
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid fed to the cavity exceeds the fluid removed thereform on a volume basis by between 1 to 10 per cent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the deposit is a KCl-containing deposit.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of operating a solution mining cavity which has come into contact with an aquifer and from which fluid can no longer be withdrawn comprising introducing into the effluent conduit from said cavity pumping means, pumping the fluid standing in the effluent conduit to the surface of the ground while introducing into the cavity solvent capable of dissolving the desired mineral, and regulating the flow of fluid into the cavity and the flow of fluid pumped from the cavity to provide on a volume basis at least 0.5 per cent by volume more fluid into the cavity than is being pumped out.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the fluid fed to the cavity exceeds the fluid removed therefrom on a volume basis by between 1 to 10 per cent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the deposit is a KCl-containing deposit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of reestablishing production from an underground solution mining cavity which has encountered an aquifer and from which production liquor can no longer be pumped from the effluent conduit by pumping fluid through the influent conduit comprising introducing below the surface of liquid in the effluent conduit pumping means, pumping fluid from the effluent conduit using said pumping means at a given rate, pumping fluid to the cavity through the influent conduit at a rate greater than the pumping rate used in the effluent conduit to thereby provide on a volume basis to the cavity at least 0.5 per cent more liquid going into it than is being removed from it to thereby effectively isolate the aquifer from the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the influent conduit to the said cavity includes a second cavity in communication with the said cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the pumping means is positioned at least 10 feet below the surface of the liquor in the effluent conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the fluid fed to the cavity exceeds the fluid removed therefrom on a volume basis by between 1 to 10 per cent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the deposit is a KCl-containing deposit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of solution mining an underground deposit in which solvent is introduced at one point into a cavity in said deposit and solvent enriched in solute from said deposit is removed from another point therein and wherein the cavity openly communicates with an aquifer, the improvement comprising establishing on a volume basis a differential between the solvent introduced and the solvent removed from the cavity to thereby provide a feed of solvent into the cavity on a volume basis at least 0.5 per cent greater than the quantity of solvent being removed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the differential is established by maintaining solvent flow into the cavity constant while throttling the conduit from which solvent is removed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the deposit is a KCl-containing deposit.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of solution mining an underground deposit in which solvent is introduced at one point into a cavity in said deposit and solvent enriched in solute from said deposit is removed from another point therein and wherein the cavity has openly communicated with an aquifer, the improvement comprising feeding solvent to the cavity and removing fluid from the cavity at controlled but different rates to thereby establish a feed to the cavity of solution on a volume basis which is at least 0.5 per cent greater than the solution removed therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the deposit is a KCl-containing deposit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1960932A
Cited
CA1017887A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |