Patent · US Expired

Method for in situ minefields

US4125289A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
6References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 1977
Grant dateNov 14, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S166/901
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A circulation tubing string is disposed about the lixiviant return tubing string in the production hole of an in situ minefield. The circulation string extends from the surface to a point near a packer which defines the top of the leaching interval. A fluid coupler provides a fluid flow path between the annular cross-section regions between the production hole casing and the circulation string, and between the circulation string and the lixiviant return string. A flow of cooling fluid is maintained from the surface through the circuital path defined by the annular cross-section regions and the fluid coupler, particularly including the exterior surface of the production tubing string. The fluid is maintained at a temperature and flow rate so that the pregnant leach liquor flows in the production tubing string between the leaching interval and the surface is characterized by a predetermined temperature drop.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.