Process for in-situ leaching of uranium
Creators
Description
A process is described for the in-situ leaching of uranium from a subterranean ore deposit employing a lixiviant containing a carbonate leaching agent and an oxidizing agent. The lixiviant is heated to a temperature of at least 110* F. Prior to injection into the subterranean ore deposit. The use of a heated lixiviant provides for a substantially greater ultimate uranium recovery than that attained through the use of a lixiviant injected at ambient temperature conditions. The process may be carried out in several stages. In the first stage, a relatively low temperature lixiviant is injected. This is followed by a second stage in which the lixiviant is heated to an elevated temperature and then injected into the deposit. The invention is particularly applicable for use in subterranean deposits which contain uranium associated with carbonaceous material
Availability note (English)
U.S. Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231, USA, $.50.Additional details
Additional titles
- Augmented title (English)
- Patent
Publishing Information
- Imprint Pagination
- v p.
- IPC:
- Int. Cl.E21B 43/28.
- IPC
- Int. Cl.E21B 43/28.
- Patent number
- US patent document 4,258,955/A/
INIS
- Country of Publication
- United States
- Country of Input or Organization
- United States
- INIS RN
- 12637938
- Subject category
- S58: GEOSCIENCES;
- Resource subtype / Literary indicator
- Non-conventional Literature
- Descriptors DEI
- CARBONATES; HEAT TREATMENTS; IN-SITU PROCESSING; LEACHING; SOLUTION MINING; TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE; URANIUM ORES
- Descriptors DEC
- CARBON COMPOUNDS; DISSOLUTION; MINING; ORE PROCESSING; ORES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; SEPARATION PROCESSES