Method and system for recovering ocean floor hydrothermal mineral resources
US9359870B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C50/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A recovery method for recovering mineral resources from a hydrothermal fluid reservoir present beneath the ocean floor includes the steps of: (A) providing a hydrothermal fluid well by drilling a hole reaching a hydrothermal fluid reservoir from an ocean floor surface via a guide base on the ocean floor surface, and then installing a casing in the drilled hole via the guide base; (B) precipitating minerals on a mineral-culturing device by installing the mineral-culturing device on the base guide so as to cover a well head of the hydrothermal fluid well, and bringing hot water ejecting from the well head into contact with sea water on the mineral-culturing device; and (C) recovering minerals precipitated on the mineral-culturing device together with the mineral-culturing device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.