US3873156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bedded underground salt deposit solution mining system
Assignee: Akzona Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-26
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved system for coalescing the nether ends of a group of spaced-apart bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit, and for instituting and controlling progress of a solution-mining operation thereon. The invention is particularly useful in coalescing two or more bore holes extending into a bedded rock salt deposit whenever conventional hydraulic fracturing methods prove inadequate, such as by reason of the existence of faults or other anomalies existent intermediately of the bore holes. The system employs a flexible solvent delivery tube slip-fitted downwardly through one of the bore holes into the salt deposit; it being arranged that the delivery or nozzle end of the tube floats and travels horizontally along a gravitymonitored interface between the input solvent and resultant brine mixture and a thereabove maintained solvation insulating pad of oil or some other suitable hydrocarbon gas or air or the like, which at this stage operates to prevent undesirable upward progression of the solution mining process. The solvent delivering nozzle is at all times directionally controlled in an improved manner throughout the coalescing/mining operations in conjunction with an improved advancing/retreating mining method.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H Jacoby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:05
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/0078; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/17; E21B43/29; E21B43/292; E21B7/00; E21B7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
The method for solution-coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit which includes a geologic anomaly preventive of effectively coalescing said bore holes by means of a hydraulic fracturing technique, and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit, said method comprising: driving two or more bore holes in spaced apart relation into the lower level of said deposit at opposite sides of said anomaly, hydraulically fracturing said deposit from one of said bore holes as far as feasible towards one other of said bore holes, thereby providing a first horizontally extending passageway for fluid flow, then solution-mining a second horizontally extending passageway from the nether end of the other of said bore holes through said salt bed and through said anomaly into communication with said first passageway, thereby providing a solution mining cavity, and then solution mining said deposit intermediately of said bore holes by passing a solvent fluid through said cavity from one of said bore holes and withdrawing brine out of the other of said bore holes whereby said cavity enlarges and said deposit is mined.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
The method for solution-coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit which includes a geologic anomaly preventive of effectively coalescing said bore holes by means of a hydraulic fracturing technique, and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit, said method comprising: driving two or more bore holes in spaced apart relation into the lower level of said deposit at opposite sides of said anomaly, hydraulically fracturing said deposit from one of said bore holes as far as feasible towards one other of said bore holes, thereby providing a first horizontally extending passageway for fluid flow, then solution-mining a second horizontally extending passageway from the nether end of the other of said bore holes through said salt bed and through said anomaly into communication with said first passageway, thereby providing a solution mining cavity, and then solution mining said deposit intermediately of said bore holes by passing a solvent fluid through said cavity from one of said bore holes and withdrawing brine out of the other of said bore holes whereby said cavity enlarges and said deposit is mined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method for coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said solution mining operation is conducted by means of solvent liquid delivered through a flexible hose slide-fitted into and advanced through one of said bore holes and having guide means thereon to cause the nozzle end thereof to point substantially horizontally towards the nether end of the other of said bore holes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said solution mining operation is conducted under a solvent-insulating pad of fluid at the ceiling of the solution mining cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 2, wherein said nozzle end of said hose carries a motivating device powered under remote control and operating to advance the nozzle end of said hose toward said other bore hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the solution mining operation upon said deposit is initially conducted proximate to said other bore hole and is then caused to retreat progressively throughout the deposit intermediately of said bore holes by progressive retraction of said hose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 3, wherein said guide means comprises a float device carried adjacent the nozzle end of said hose, said float device being operable to cause the nozzle end of said hose to float at substantially the elevation of the interface between the brine and the solution insulating pad fluid occupying the solution cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt Deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 4, wherein said motive device comprises a traction wheel system powered by flow of fluid through said nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide means comprises multi-radially directed reaction jet ports exiting through the wall of said nozzle, said ports being selectively controllable from remotely of the operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 3, wherein said solvent insulating pad comprises a fluid of lower specific gravity than brine and which is introduced into the solution mining cavity as an additive to the solvent fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit and for conducting a solution mining operation throughout said deposit as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of float devices spaced apart longitudinally on said hose so as to stabilize a substantial length thereof in horizontal attitude.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
117 words
The method of solution-coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit which includes a geologic anomaly preventive of effectively coalescing said bore holes by means of a hydraulic fracturing technique, said method comprising: driving two or more bore holes in spaced apart relation into said deposit at opposite sides of said anomaly; hydraulic fracturing said deposit from one of said bore holes as far as feasible towards another of said bore holes, thereby providing a first extending passageway for fluid flow; and solution mining a second extending passageway from said another of said bore holes through said salt bed and through said anomaly into communication with said first passageway.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
117 words
The method of solution-coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes intersecting a bedded rock salt deposit which includes a geologic anomaly preventive of effectively coalescing said bore holes by means of a hydraulic fracturing technique, said method comprising: driving two or more bore holes in spaced apart relation into said deposit at opposite sides of said anomaly; hydraulic fracturing said deposit from one of said bore holes as far as feasible towards another of said bore holes, thereby providing a first extending passageway for fluid flow; and solution mining a second extending passageway from said another of said bore holes through said salt bed and through said anomaly into communication with said first passageway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method for coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes of claim 11 wherein said solution mining is conducted by means of solvent liquid delivered through a flexible hose advanced through said another bore hole, said flexible hose being fitted with a nozzle having means for guiding the nozzle end substantially towards said first passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes as set forth in claim 12 wherein said guide means include reaction jet ports exiting throught the wall of said nozzle, said jet ports being selectively operable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes as set forth in claim 12 including inserting a target device in said first passageway and wherein said guide means include an electronically operated guidance mechanism to home-in on said target device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes as set forth in claim 12, wherein said guide means include a directional and inclination surveying device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes as set forth in claim 11, including forming a solvation insulating pad at the ceiling of said second passageway.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes as set forth in claim 16 wherein said solvation insulating pad comprises a fluid of lower specific gravity than brine, including the step of introducing said pad fluid into said second passageway as an additive to the solvent fluid for said solution mining.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of coalescing the nether ends of two or more bore holes as set forth in claim 16 including floating the nozzle substantially at the interface between said solvation insulating pad and the brine/solvent mixture formed in the lower part of said second passageway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of solution mining a bedded rock salt deposit between two or more bore holes comprising the steps of coalescing the nether ends of said bore holes by the method of claim 11 and thereafter solution mining said deposit beginning in the region of said first passageway and retreating progressively toward said second passageway and said another bore hole.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |