公开(公告)号：US20160356157A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-08

申请号：US14212935

申请日：2014-03-14

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Matteo PAPERINI ,  Herve CUCHE ,  Joseph A. VENDETTI ,  Larry C. REFSDAL ,  Jean-Paul DETOURNAY ,  David M. HANSEN ,  Todd BRICHACEK ,  Justin T. PATTERSON ,  John KOLESAR ,  Ryan SCHMIDT ,  Beatrice C. ORTEGO

IPC分类号： E21C41/16 ,  E21C37/00 ,  C22B3/12

CPC分类号： E21B43/283

摘要： 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 is preferably formed by lithological displacement of the evaporite stratum at a weak interface with an underlying insoluble stratum by application of a lifting hydraulic pressure. The extracted brine can be processed to make valuable products such as soda ash and/or any derivatives thereof, rock salt, or potash. This method can provide more uniform dissolution of mineral in the cavity, can minimize flow channeling, can minimize sodium bicarbonate blinding for solution mining of incongruent trona ore, and/or may avoid uneven deposit of insolubles.

摘要翻译： 一种用于使用一组与至少一个矿物腔流体连通的孔的原位溶液从地下蒸发岩层中开采矿物的方法，其中一些井以溶剂注入模式操作，其他井以盐水生产模式操作，并且可选地具有一些非活性的 井，包括切换一个或多个井的操作模式。 蒸发岩矿物优选包含天然碱。 优选地，通过施加提升液压，通过在与弱潜层的弱界面处的蒸发岩层的岩性位移来形成至少一个空腔。 可以处理提取的盐水以制造有价值的产品，例如苏打灰和/或其任何衍生物，岩盐或钾盐。 这种方法可以提供更均匀的矿物溶解在空腔中，可以最小化流动通道，可以最大程度地减少不协调的天然碱矿石溶液开采的碳酸氢钠盲目，和/或可以避免不均匀沉积。

公开(公告)号：US20160356138A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-08

申请号：US14062875

申请日：2013-10-24

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Bradley D. CHEESE ,  Matteo PAPERINI ,  Beatrice C. ORTEGO

IPC分类号： E21B43/28

CPC分类号： E21B43/281 ,  C01D5/14 ,  C01D7/14 ,  C01D7/24

摘要： Methods for sealing undesirable transverse fractures enlarged and/or created during lithological displacement of an underground water-soluble evaporite stratum by hydraulic pressure greater than overburden pressure at an evaporite/non-evaporite strata interface, comprising injecting and maintaining a sealing agent into these undesirable fractures to form a solidified matter in situ and ultimately seal them, while forming a main free surface at the interface suitable for initiating solution mining of the evaporite stratum. The solidified matter may be crystallized, precipitated, compacted, agglomerated, cross-linked, coagulated, water-swollen, and/or cemented matter, or may include a wall-building matter with the mineral on fracture faces. The sealing agent may comprise at least one component of the mineral and/or the non-evaporite. The evaporite stratum is preferably a trona stratum overlying an oil shale stratum. The sealing agent may comprise dissolved and/or solid trona, trona tailings particles, and/or water-swelling particles.

摘要翻译： 通过液压压力大于蒸发岩/非蒸发岩层界面处的覆盖层压力，在地下水溶性蒸发岩层的岩性位移期间，扩大和/或产生不想要的横向裂缝的方法，包括将密封剂注入并保持在这些不希望的裂缝中 在原位形成固化物质并最终密封它们，同时在适于引发蒸发岩层的溶液开采的界面处形成主自由表面。 凝固的物质可能结晶，沉淀，压实，团聚，交联，凝结，水溶胀和/或粘结物质，或者可以包括在断裂面上的矿物的构壁物质。 密封剂可以包含矿物和/或非蒸发物的至少一种组分。 蒸发岩层优选为覆盖油页岩层的天然碱层。 密封剂可以包括溶解和/或固体天然碱，天然碱尾矿颗粒和/或水溶胀颗粒。

公开(公告)号：US20180156020A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-07

申请号：US15880581

申请日：2018-01-26

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Matteo PAPERINI ,  Herve CUCHE ,  Joseph A. VENDETTI ,  Larry C. REFSDAL ,  Jean-Paul DETOURNAY ,  David M. HANSEN ,  Todd BRICHACEK ,  Justin T. PATTERSON ,  John KOLESAR ,  Ryan SCHMIDT ,  Beatrice C. ORTEGO

IPC分类号： E21B43/28 ,  E21B43/30 ,  C22B3/46 ,  C22B26/10

CPC分类号： E21B43/28 ,  C22B3/46 ,  C22B26/10 ,  E21B43/283 ,  E21B43/30 ,  E21B43/305

摘要： 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.

公开(公告)号：US20160356118A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-08

申请号：US14135349

申请日：2013-12-19

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Ryan SCHMIDT ,  Matteo PAPERINI ,  Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Herve CUCHE

IPC分类号： E21B33/138 ,  E21B43/28

CPC分类号： E21B43/283

摘要： A method for in situ solution mining of trona in which an aqueous solvent dissolves trona and forms a brine, which comprises: applying a hydraulic pressure greater than the overburden pressure at an interface between trona roof and overburden to lithologically displace the overburden from the trona roof and form a gap; flowing a liquid settable and/or sealing composition into such interface gap and allowing such composition to solidify inside such gap to form a water-impermeable and optionally gas-impermeable barrier inside. This technique should limit contamination from the overburden; should seal or plug fractures transversing the trona roof; should prevent water infiltration from overburden; and/or should minimize gas migration into the overburden from the cavity. The lithological displacement whereby the interface gap is formed may be carried out at the same time as the composition is flowed inside the gap being formed.

摘要翻译： 一种天然碱的原位溶液开采方法，其中水性溶剂溶解天然碱并形成盐水，其包括：在天竺葵屋顶和覆盖层之间的界面处施加大于上覆岩压力的液压压力，以从天然碱屋顶岩石上取代覆盖层 并形成差距; 将液体可固化和/或密封组合物流动到这种界面间隙中，并允许这种组合物在该间隙内部固化，以在其内部形成不透水且任选不透气的屏障。 这种技术应限制上覆层的污染; 应密封或堵塞横跨天竺葵屋顶的裂缝; 应防止上覆层渗透水分; 和/或应最小化气体从空腔迁移到上覆层中。 形成界面间隙的岩性位移可以在组合物在形成的间隙内流动的同时进行。

公开(公告)号：US20150260025A1

公开(公告)日：2015-09-17

申请号：US14657448

申请日：2015-03-13

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Matteo PAPERINI ,  Herve CUCHE ,  Joseph A. VENDETTI ,  Larry C. REFSDAL ,  Jean-Paul DETOURNAY ,  David M. HANSEN ,  Todd BRICHACEK ,  Justin T. PATTERSON ,  John KOLESAR ,  Ryan SCHMIDT ,  Beatrice C. ORTEGO

IPC分类号： E21B43/28 ,  C22B3/46 ,  E21B43/30 ,  C22B26/10

CPC分类号： E21B43/28 ,  C22B3/46 ,  C22B26/10 ,  E21B43/283 ,  E21B43/30 ,  E21B43/305

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 一种用于使用一组与至少一个矿物腔流体连通的孔的原位溶液从地下蒸发岩层中开采矿物的方法，其中一些井以溶剂注入模式操作，其他井以盐水生产模式操作，并且可选地具有一些非活性的 井，包括切换一个或多个井的操作模式。 蒸发岩矿物优选包含天然碱。 至少一个空腔可以通过定向钻孔的未经钻井的钻孔或通过施加提升液压在与弱潜层的弱界面处的岩石位移而形成以形成界面间隙。 可以处理提取的盐水以制造有价值的产品，例如苏打灰和/或其任何衍生物。 这种方法可以提供更均匀的矿物溶解在空腔中，使流动通道最小化，最大程度地减少碳酸氢钠盲目的溶液开采不一致的天然碱矿石，和/或可以避免不均匀沉积物。

公开(公告)号：US20160356140A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-08

申请号：US14062878

申请日：2013-10-24

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Matteo PAPERINI ,  Herve CUCHE ,  Joseph A. VENDETTI ,  Larry REFSDAL ,  Jean-Paul DETOURNAY ,  David HANSEN ,  Todd BRICHACEK ,  Justin T. PATTERSON ,  John KOLESAR ,  Ryan SCHMIDT ,  Beatrice C. ORTEGO

IPC分类号： E21B43/28 ,  C01D7/00 ,  C01D7/14 ,  C01D1/04 ,  C01D5/14

CPC分类号： E21B43/28 ,  C01D3/06 ,  C01D5/14 ,  C01D7/10 ,  C01D7/12 ,  C01D7/14

摘要： A lithological displacement of an underground evaporite mineral stratum from an underlying non-evaporite stratum comprising the application of a lifting hydraulic pressure of a fluid at a weak interface between the strata, resulting in lifting the overburden above the interface, separating the evaporite stratum from the underlying non-evaporite stratum and thus forming a mineral free-surface. The lifting hydraulic pressure is greater than the overburden pressure. The formed mineral free-surface is accessible for dissolution by a solvent. The fluid used for lifting may comprise a solvent suitable to dissolve the mineral. The evaporite mineral stratum preferably comprises trona, nahcolite, wegscheiderite, or combinations thereof.

摘要翻译： 地下蒸发岩矿物地层与下层非蒸发岩层的岩性位移，包括在地层之间的弱界面施加液体的提升液压，导致提升界面上方的覆盖层，将蒸发岩层与 潜在的非蒸发层，从而形成矿物自由表面。 提升液压压力大于上覆压力。 形成的矿物自由表面可通过溶剂溶解。 用于提升的流体可以包括适于溶解矿物的溶剂。 蒸发岩矿物层优选地包括天然碱，蓝宝石，wegscheiderite或其组合。

公开(公告)号：US20160356139A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-08

申请号：US14062877

申请日：2013-10-24

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Jean-Paul DETOURNAY ,  Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Herve CUCHE ,  Matteo PAPERINI ,  Joseph A. VENDETTI ,  Larry C. REFSDAL ,  David M. HANSEN ,  Todd BRICHACEK ,  Justin T. PATTERSON ,  John KOLESAR ,  Ryan SCHMIDT ,  Beatrice C. ORTEGO

IPC分类号： E21B43/28

CPC分类号： E21B43/28 ,  E21B43/283

摘要： Batch initiation and/or exploitation phases of in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite mineral stratum. The initiation phase may comprise a lifting step which employs a lithological displacement (lifting) of this stratum from an underlying non-evaporite stratum with application at the strata interface of a lifting hydraulic pressure greater than overburden pressure by a solvent suitable to dissolve the mineral; a soaking step for dissolution of mineral upon contact with stationary solvent, and a brine extraction step. The method may further comprise one or more exploitation phases carried out after the initiation phase. The exploitation phase may comprise a partial filing or filling step with the same solvent or different solvent than during lifting, another soaking step, and another brine extraction step. The lifting, cavity partial filing/filling, and brine extraction steps are being discontinuous. The evaporite mineral stratum preferably comprises trona.

摘要翻译： 从地下蒸发岩矿物地层开采矿物的原位溶液的批次启动和/或开采阶段。 起始阶段可以包括提升步骤，其采用来自下面的非蒸发岩层的该层的岩性位移（提升），其通过适于溶解矿物的溶剂施加在大于上覆压力的提升液压的地层界面处; 用于在与固定溶剂接触时溶解矿物的浸泡步骤和盐水提取步骤。 该方法还可以包括在起始阶段之后进行的一个或多个开采阶段。 开采阶段可以包括与提升，另一个浸泡步骤和另一个盐水提取步骤相同的溶剂或不同溶剂的部分填充或填充步骤。 提升，空腔部分填充/填充和盐水提取步骤是不连续的。 蒸发岩矿物层优选包含天然碱。

公开(公告)号：US20160355728A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-08

申请号：US14579257

申请日：2014-12-22

申请人： SOLVAY SA

发明人： Joseph A. VENDETTI ,  Ronald O. HUGHES ,  Hervé CUCHE ,  Beatrice C. ORTEGO

IPC分类号： C09K8/80 ,  E21B43/267

CPC分类号： C09K8/805 ,  C09K8/62 ,  C09K8/80 ,  E21B43/267

摘要： A proppant material and its use for lithological displacement of an underground evaporite mineral stratum from a non-evaporite stratum, particularly of a trona stratum from a shale stratum. A lifting hydraulic pressure greater than the overburden pressure is applied at a weak strata interface, resulting in separating the strata and forming an interface gap with a mineral free-surface. The proppant is placed inside such gap as the gap is being formed or thereafter. The proppant may comprise tailings and/or particles containing an alkali compound, such as sodium hydroxide, trona, or soda ash particles. The proppant may comprise slow-water dissolving coated particles, particularly a slow-dissolving polymeric coating over a water-soluble alkali core. After propping the interface gap, the mineral from the formed mineral free-surface is dissolved by a production solvent, thereby enlarging the gap and forming a mineral cavity. The proppant preferably dissolves or degrades in the production solvent.

摘要翻译： 支撑剂材料及其用于从非蒸发层，特别是页岩层的天然碱层的地下蒸发岩矿物层的岩性位移。 在弱层界面处施加大于上覆岩层压力的提升液压，导致层间分离并与矿物自由表面形成界面间隙。 支撑剂放置在与间隙形成或之后的间隙内。 支撑剂可以包括含有碱性化合物的尾矿和/或颗粒，例如氢氧化钠，天然碱或苏打灰颗粒。 支撑剂可以包括缓慢溶解的涂覆颗粒，特别是在水溶性碱芯上的缓慢溶解的聚合物涂层。 支撑界面间隙后，由形成的矿物自由表面的矿物质通过生产溶剂溶解，从而扩大间隙并形成矿物腔。 支撑剂优选在生产溶剂中溶解或降解。