Multi-well solution mining exploitation of an evaporite mineral stratum

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9879516
SERIAL NO

14657448

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Abstract

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A method for in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite stratum using a set of wells in fluid communication with at least one mineral cavity with some wells operated in solvent injection mode and other wells operated in brine production mode and optionally with some inactive wells, comprising switching the operation mode of one or more wells. The evaporite mineral preferably comprises trona. The at least one cavity may be formed by directionally drilled uncased boreholes or by lithological displacement of the evaporite stratum at a weak interface with an underlying insoluble stratum by application of a lifting hydraulic pressure to create an interfacial gap. The extracted brine can be processed to make valuable products such as soda ash and/or any derivatives thereof. This method can provide more uniform dissolution of mineral in the cavity, minimize flow channeling, minimize sodium bicarbonate blinding for solution mining of incongruent trona ore, and/or may avoid uneven deposit of insolubles.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
SOLVAY SA310 RUE DE RANSBEEK BRUSSELS B-1120

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Brichacek, Todd Green River, US 5 22
Cuche, Herve Waterloo, BE 6 28
Detournay, Jean-Paul Floreffe, BE 21 143
Hansen, David M Green River, US 31 668
Hughes, Ronald O Green River, US 15 76
Kolesar, John Green River, US 5 22
Ortego, Beatrice C Katy, US 19 420
Paperini, Matteo Green River, US 7 36
Patterson, Justin T Mountain View, US 5 22
Refsdal, Larry C Green River, US 8 31
Schmidt, Ryan Green River, US 70 1858
Vendetti, Joseph A Green River, US 11 49

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