US4337979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1979-05-07
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Granted: 1982-07-06
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Expires: 1999-05-07
Abstract
Abstract Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium from a subterranean ore deposit employing a lixiviant containing an oxidizing agent, sulfuric acid, and carbon dioxide. Prior to the injection of the lixiviant, an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and oxidizing agent is injected into the deposit in an amount of at least 1 pore volume. The initially injected acid solution is substantially free of carbon dioxide. The process is particularly applicable to subterranean deposits containing uranium associated with carbonaceous material.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsoung-Yuan Yan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:54
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B60/00; C22B60/02; C22B60/0204; C22B60/0217; C22B60/0221; C22B60/0226; C22B60/0234; C22B60/0208; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a method for the recovery of uranium from a subterranean uranium-containing deposit penetrated by injection and production systems wherein an aqueous lixiviant containing an oxidizing agent, sulfuric acid, and carbon dioxide is introduced into said deposit via said injection system and displaced through said deposit to solubilize uranium therein and thereafter recovered from said deposit via said production system, the improvement comprising prior to the injection of said lixiviant injecting an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and oxidizing agent which is substantially free of carbon dioxide into said deposit in an amount of at least one pore volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a method for the recovery of uranium from a subterranean uranium-containing deposit penetrated by injection and production systems wherein an aqueous lixiviant containing an oxidizing agent, sulfuric acid, and carbon dioxide is introduced into said deposit via said injection system and displaced through said deposit to solubilize uranium therein and thereafter recovered from said deposit via said production system, the improvement comprising prior to the injection of said lixiviant injecting an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and oxidizing agent which is substantially free of carbon dioxide into said deposit in an amount of at least one pore volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said preinjected aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and oxidizing agent has a lower sulfuric acid concentration than the sulfuric acid concentration of said lixiviant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said preinjected aqueous solution of sulfuric acid has a pH within the range of 2.0-3.0 and said lixiviant has a pH within the range of 1.0-2.5.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of producing said preinjected sulfuric acid solution from said production system, monitoring the pH of said produced solution, and after the pH of said produced solution declines to a value less than 6.5 initiating the injection of said lixiviant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising producing said acid solution from said production system, monitoring the uranium concentration of said produced acid solution, and initiating the injection of said lixiviant after the uranium concentration of said produced acid solution reaches a level of at least 5 parts per million U 3 O 8 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said subterranean deposit contains uranium associated with carbonaceous material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in said lixiviant is at least 0.05 weight percent.
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) | 1985-07-05 | 1986-01-04 | 1986-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-05 | 1990-01-04 | 1990-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-05 | 1994-01-04 | 1994-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |