US3792903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Uranium solution mining process
Assignee: Dalco Oil Co
•
Filing: 1971-08-30
•
Granted: 1974-02-19
•
Expires: 1991-08-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved process wherein uranium is solution mined through the introduction of a first treated water solution into the uranium bearing formation in order to form a buffer zone about an injection well. Subsequent to buffer zone formation, uranium leaching solution, consisting essentially of an aqueous alkaline solution, is introduced into the formation so that it readily contacts the uranium formation, leaching uranium therefrom such that it is subsequently produced at the earth''s surface without the formation of scale about the injection and production wells.
Inventors
- 👤 V Rhoades
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:16
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 in which the treated water is introduced until it breaks through into the surrounding production wells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 in which the alkaline solution is an aqueous solution of one or more salts selected from the group consisting of ammonium carbonate, sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 in which the oxidant is selected from the group consisting of air, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising driving the leaching solution and oxidant through the formation with a drive medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a process for the solution mining of subterranean uranium containing formations in which an injection well is drilled and completed within the uranium formation, alkaline uranium leaching solution and an oxidant in ratios of from about one to one to about one to ten volumes of leaching solution per volume of oxidant are injected through the injection well into the formation to dissolve uranium salts therein, injection is ceased and the spent leaching solution, oxidant and dissolved salts are produced from the previously utilized injection well; the improvement which comprises first introducing a treated hard water cation-free solution in a slug representing one-half of the volume of the deposit about the well to be solution mined into the formation in order to form a buffer zone about the injection well which prevents scale formation upon subsequent leaching solution injection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 6 in which the alkaline solution is an aqueous solution of one or more salts selected from the group consisting of ammonium carbonate, sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 7 in which the oxidant is selected from the group consisting of air, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2896930A
Cited
US3309141A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |