Patent US3713698A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3713698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Uranium solution mining process
Assignee: Cities Service Oil Co
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Filing: 1971-03-30
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-03-30
Abstract
Abstract One or more production wells are drilled and completed into a uranium bearing formation having a high water saturation. The water saturation is removed from the area within the uranium formation by injecting a slug of an oxidant through the production wells. A series of injection wells is completed in the peripheral edge of the oxidant bank so that a leaching solution is injected into the water bank built up during oxidant injection. The solutions contact and react with the uranium mineral and oxidant to form soluble uranium salts which are produced from the production wells.
Inventors
- 👤 V Rhoades
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:13
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A process for the solution mining of subterranean uranium containing formations have a considerable water saturation, which comprises: a. drilling and completing one or more production wells into the uranium formation; b. drilling one or more injection wells offset from the production wells; c. injecting an oxidant into the uranium formation through the production wells so that the water contained therein is driven away from the vicinity of the production wells; d. injecting a concentrated leaching solution into the injection wells; and e. producing the dissolved uranium salts, formed from the reaction of the leaching solution and oxidant contacting the uranium contained within the formation, from the production wells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process for the solution mining of subterranean uranium containing formations have a considerable water saturation, which comprises: a. drilling and completing one or more production wells into the uranium formation; b. drilling one or more injection wells offset from the production wells; c. injecting an oxidant into the uranium formation through the production wells so that the water contained therein is driven away from the vicinity of the production wells; d. injecting a concentrated leaching solution into the injection wells; and e. producing the dissolved uranium salts, formed from the reaction of the leaching solution and oxidant contacting the uranium contained within the formation, from the production wells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 in which the oxidant is air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 2 in which the production and injection wells are drilled in concentric patterns about each other with a single production well contained in the center of the pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 3 in which the leaching solution is an acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 4 in which the air is injected until the water bank formed by its injection passes the injection wells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 in which the production and injection wells are drilled in offsetting line patterns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 6 in which the leaching solution is an acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 in which the air is injected until the water bank formed by its injection passes the injection wells.
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) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |