Abstract: A method for selective solution mining mineral recovery may include heating a wellfield injection brine to a temperature from about 100° C. to about 250° C.; injecting the heated wellfield injection brine into an underground wellfield to dissolve soluble minerals therein, creating a hot brine solution; removing the hot brine solution from the underground wellfield; and recovering the soluble minerals from the hot brine solution by cooling the hot brine solution to a temperature of from about ?10° C. to about 5° C. and causing the soluble minerals to precipitate recovered minerals in a solid form.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature maxima and minima from the heel to toe in geothermal well lateral sections. The method includes disposing at least a pair of wells proximately where thermal contact is possible. Working fluid is circulated in one well of the pair in one direction and the working fluid of the second well is circulated in as direction opposite. to the first. In this manner temperature equilibration is attainable to mitigate maxima and minima to result in a substantially more uniform temperature of the working fluids in respective wells and the rock formation area there between. Specific operating protocol is disclosed having regard to the temperature control for maximizing thermal energy recovery.

Abstract: Processes and configurations for subterranean resource extraction are provided. The processes include installing borehole strings, such as by drilling a plurality of boreholes, for example, first and second boreholes, that extend from a surface region into a resource deposit. The first and second boreholes are situated adjacent to each other. Portions of the first and second boreholes laterally extend in a penannularly fashion and connect terminally at a nodal space situated within the resource deposit. Carrier fluid is injected from the surface along fluid paths defined by the boreholes to in situ leach resource materials from the resource deposit into the carrier fluid, and carrier fluid containing the resource materials is brought back to surface for resource extraction.

Abstract: A simulation device and a simulation method for gas reservoir exploitation are provided. The simulation device includes a gas-liquid supply system, a simulation system, a metering system, pipes for interconnecting each system, and switches, wherein: the gas-liquid supply system includes a gas supply system and a liquid supply system; the metering system is for metering gas and/or liquid produced after the simulation system; the simulation system includes core models having at least one of micro-fractures with an aperture smaller than 1 ?m, map-fractures with an aperture between 10-20 ?m, and large-fractures with an aperture between 100-5000 ?m. The present invention is able to accurately simulate water invasion and water-controlled gas production processes of different fractured gas reservoirs under different bottom water energies.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for recovering a target mineral from a mineral-bearing deposit. One or more first wells and one or more second wells are drilled into the deposit, each well having a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section, the horizontal section of the second wells located above the horizontal section of the first wells. At least one channel from the horizontal section of each first well toward the horizontal section of the second wells is established. A fluid is injected into the deposit from the horizontal section of the first wells to form one or more slots. A brine is recovered from the horizontal section of the second wells, forming a cavity. A salt solution is then injected into the cavity from the horizontal section of the second wells and a target mineral-enriched solvent is recovered from the first wells.

Abstract: Injection fluids formed of reverse emulsions and related methods of forming and using reverse emulsions for cavity control in solution mining. The reverse emulsion can reduce the volume of oil required to create an oil pad at the roof of a solution mining cavern in order to prevent vertical leaching and cavern collapse. The reverse emulsion can be formed from an emulsifier, a brine solution and oil. The emulsifier concentration can range from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the reverse emulsion. The emulsifier and the oil can be combined to form an oil/emulsifier mixture, wherein the oil/emulsifier mixture is combined with the brine solution to form the reverse emulsion. The oil/emulsifier mixture can be from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the reverse emulsion.

Abstract: A whipstock assembly including a main body defining an axial direction extending through the main body, a circumferential direction, and a radial direction transverse to the axial direction, and a ramp body pivotally coupled to the main body, the ramp body defining a ramp surface that is oriented transverse to the radial direction, and where the ramp body is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, where the ramp surface is further from the main body in the axial direction in the extended position as compared to the retracted position and the ramp body is rotatable with respect to the main body about the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A modified high density brine for use in subterranean drilling and completion operations. The modified high density brine includes a heavy brine and the addition of high density particles. The resultant modified high density brine eliminates the need for toxic, corrosive, and costly ZrBr2 or cesium formate additions or other ionic additives to boost the density of the modified high density brine to more than 14 lbs./gallon.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and system for storing hydrogen product in a salt cavern. The method is directed to substantially confining a high purity hydrogen stored within the salt cavern by maintaining the stored hydrogen at a pressure between a lower limit and an upper limit within the cavern, whereby the salt cavern forms a substantially impermeable barrier to the stored hydrogen therein between the lower limit and the upper limit and wherein the improvement over the predicate art enables the upper limit to exceed about 1 psi per liner foot of cavern depth.

Abstract: A method for storing very high purity hydrogen in a salt cavern is provided. The method includes introducing a compressed very high purity hydrogen gas into a salt cavern, thereby producing a stored very high purity hydrogen gas; maintaining the stored very high purity hydrogen gas at a pressure greater than about 1.0 psi per linear foot of height within the cavern, and less than about 4.0 psi per linear foot of height within the cavern.

Abstract: A simulation test system for gas extraction from a tectonically-deformed coal seam in-situ by depressurizing a horizontal well cavity. A coal series stratum structure reconstruction and similar material simulation subsystem simulates a tectonically-deformed coal reservoir. A horizontal well drilling and reaming simulation subsystem constructs a U-shaped well in which a horizontal well adjoins a vertical well, and performs a reaming process on a horizontal section thereof. A horizontal well hole-collapse cavity-construction depressurization excitation simulation subsystem performs pressure-pulse excitation and stress release on the horizontal well, and hydraulically displaces a coal-liquid-gas mixture such that the mixture is conveyed towards a vertical well section. A product lifting simulation subsystem further pulverizes the coal and lifts the mixture. A gas-liquid-solid separation simulation subsystem separates the coal, liquid and gas.

Abstract: A method of extracting gas from a tectonically-deformed coal seam in-situ by depressurizing a horizontal well cavity is provided. A horizontal well drilling and reaming subsystem constructs a U-shaped well in which a horizontal well adjoins a vertical well, and performs a reaming process on a horizontal section of the horizontal well to enlarge a hole diameter. A horizontal well hole-collapse cavity-construction depressurization excitation subsystem performs pressure-pulse excitation and stress release on the horizontal well of tectonically-deformed coal bed methane, and hydraulically displaces a coal-liquid-gas mixture such that the mixture is conveyed towards a vertical well section along a depressurizing space. A product lifting subsystem pulverizes the coal and lifts the mixture towards a wellhead of a vertical well. A gas-liquid-solid separation subsystem separates the coal, liquid and gas.

Abstract: A method for leaching copper from an oxidized copper ore, wherein at least 5% of the copper present in the oxidized copper ore is an oxidized copper compound, the method comprising the method steps of: applying an aqueous solution of a curing agent to the oxidized copper ore to produce a cured ore; forming a leach solution by applying an ammoniacal solution that has an ammonium carbonate content of less than 5 g/L to the cured ore to produce a pregnant leach solution containing copper; and passing the pregnant leach solution to a means for recovering copper.

Abstract: Anti-bit balling drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The anti-bit balling drilling fluid contains water, a clay-based component, and at least one of a surfactant having the formula: R—(OC2H4)x—OH, where R is a hydrocarbyl group having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10, or a polyethylene glycol having the formula: H—(O—CH2—CH2)n—OH, where n is an integer from 1 to 50. Methods of making and using these drilling fluids are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for treatment of a subterranean wellbore that has become clogged with sludge deposits comprising a synthetic polymer and an oil tar.

Abstract: A method for forming and maintaining a fundamentally impervious boundary to very high purity hydrogen stored in a salt cavern is provided. The cavern includes a salt cavern wall. The method includes introducing a compressed very high purity hydrogen gas into a salt cavern, thereby producing a stored very high purity hydrogen gas; forming a fundamentally impervious boundary to the very high purity hydrogen along at least a part of the perimeter of the salt cavern, and maintaining the fundamentally impervious boundary to the stored very high purity hydrogen gas at a pressure greater than 1.0 psi per linear foot of height within the cavern, and less than 4.0 psi per linear foot of height within the cavern and thereby retaining within the salt cavern over 95% of the stored very high purity hydrogen over a period of time of at least 72 hours.

Abstract: A system for forming and/or maintaining a fundamentally impervious boundary within a salt cavern for storing very high purity hydrogen is provided. The system includes a salt cavern comprising a salt cavern wall; a conduit configured to introduce a compressed very high purity hydrogen gas into a salt cavern, thereby producing a stored very high purity hydrogen gas; the conduit also configured to remove the compressed very high purity hydrogen gas from the salt cavern, wherein the stored very high purity hydrogen gas is maintained at a pressure greater than about 1.0 psi per linear foot of height within the cavern, and less than about 4.0 psi per linear foot of height within the cavern.

Abstract: A method of leaching copper from a heap of ore that includes at least one resting step followed by an irrigation step, wherein, during the irrigation step a leach solution that contains chloride ions is applied to the ore at a higher rate than during the resting step.

Abstract: A method for building an underground storehouse by dissolving limestone with carbon dioxide, the method comprising the following steps: a.) drilling two wells extending from the ground surface (1) to a limestone layer (2), building a channel (5) allowing the two wells to communicate, and installing casing pipes (3, 4) respectively in the two wells; b.) introducing CO2 gas having at least 1 MPa of pressure into a CO2 absorbing solution having the same pressure to form a CO2 solution, flowing the CO2 solution into underground via the casing pipe (3) to react with the limestone to form a calcium bicarbonate solution, forming a cavern in the meanwhile, and discharging the calcium bicarbonate solution via the other casing pipe (4); c.) decompressing the discharged calcium bicarbonate solution to decompose the calcium bicarbonate contained in the solution into CO2, water and calcium carbonate, and recycling the separated CO2 absorption solution and the CO2; repeating steps b.) and c.

Abstract: The present invention includes a hydro-shearing apparatus, a hydro-shearing system, and a method of mining waste coal. The hydro-shearing apparatus includes a fluid supply line adapted to permit the transporting of fluid, a nozzle adapted to emit the fluid, a pump adapted to recover at least the fluid, and a fluid discharge line adapted to permit the transporting of at least the fluid. The method may include positioning the hydro-shearing apparatus at least fifty feet away from a high wall of waste coal, manipulating the hydro-shearing apparatus to a vertical position within twenty feet of the top of the high wall of waste coal, operating the hydro-shearing apparatus such that a fluid stream contacts waste coal material, recovering the coal product with the pump of the hydro-shearing apparatus, and transporting the coal product away from the hydro-shearing apparatus.

Abstract: A vertical drainage system for a heap leaching operation comprising vertical drainage conduits for draining fluid pockets down through the strata of a heap pile. The drainage conduits are spaced in a parallel array throughout the ore heap, and are preferably in fluid communication from a top of said ore heap to said one or more collection pipes for draining trapped and avoiding slope or geotechnical failure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a mineral exploitation method and, more specifically, to a method for extracting potassium salts from underground deposits. In the method according to the present invention, an intermediary stage is carried out between the primary mining and secondary mining stages, and in this intermediary stage sinks (8) are created that receive the water-immiscible fluid (9) used in the primary mining stage, exposing an amount of potassium chloride remaining on the cavern ceiling, at the end of the primary mining stage, which will be dissolved by a second solvent during the secondary mining stage.

Abstract: The present methods deal with the solubilization of coal and lignocellulose biomass using pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Method and system is described for modeling one or more geophysical properties of a subsurface volume. In one example, a method for predicting strength anisotropy in subsurface formations along a wellpath comprises receiving a stress model of the subsurface formation in the area of the wellpath. Bulk strength properties of target rock are obtained and used to develop anisotropic failure criteria. The stress model may then be combined with the anisotropic failure criteria to develop an anisotropic wellbore stability model which is used to enhance hydrocarbon recovery.

Abstract: A straddle packer tool for setting against a constraining wall includes: a drag assembly with a locking mechanism for locking a position of the drag assembly relative to the constraining wall; a mandrel installed in and axially moveable through an inner bore of the drag assembly; and a packing element housing including a first annular packing element and a second annular packing element spaced from the first annular packing element, the packing element housing positioned between a stop shoulder on the mandrel and the drag assembly, the packing element being settable to expand the first annular packing element and the second annular packing element by compression between the drag assembly and the stop shoulder. A valve sub including a pressure actuated piston is also described and may be operated to open using the straddle packer tool.

Abstract: A nutritional or dietary supplement composition that strengthens and promotes a general eye health benefit for aging adults, including retinal health through the prevention, stabilization, reversal and/or treatment of visual acuity loss by reducing the risk of developing late stage or advanced age-related macular degeneration in persons with early age-related macular degeneration. The nutritional or dietary supplement composition may likewise reduce the risk of vision loss associated with the development of cataracts.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for processing carnallite or sylvinite ores. The system includes a measuring hopper, a lye clarifier, two vertical ore dissolving apparatuses, two ore dehydrators and one wet product dehydrator, a crystallizer, and a dryer. Each dissolving apparatus has alternating supply and grounding electrodes arranged in axial alignment with the apparatus. The ore is run through both dissolving apparatuses in succession and dehydrated after each dissolving apparatus. A dissolving lye is fed to each dissolving apparatus in countercurrent flow to the solid phase ore. The saturated lye from the dissolving apparatuses is transported to a crystallizer to be cooled. Cooling the lye forms crystalline potassium chloride or artificial carnallite, which then goes for dehydration and drying.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filling submerged voids with a foam-fluidized fill material in an efficient and economical manner are disclosed herein. The foam fluidized fill material is a granular solid material fluidized with a foam. The foam-fluidized fill material is pumped or gravity-fed through an insertion tube into the submerged void. The insertion tube terminates at a point lying below a surface of the liquid within the void. Since the foam-fluidized fill material is heavier than the liquid, the foam-fluidized fill material exiting the insertion tube sinks to the bottom of the void and expands laterally at the bottom of the void displacing the liquid. The liquid is forced upward and out of the void where it may be collected. Further, as the fill material fills the void, the foam dissipates and the fill material self compacts, making the filled void sufficiently load bearing.

Abstract: Well treatment particulates are coated with polyionic material and a composite is formed comprising multiple layers of polyelectrolyte, each layer composed of polyionic material counter to the polyionic material of the polyelectrolyte layer to which it is adjacent.

Abstract: A solution mining method for recovering alkali values from a cavity of an underground ore formation comprising trona and/or wegscheiderite; a manufacturing process using such method to make sodium-based product(s); and a sodium-based product obtained therefrom. The method comprises: an ore dissolution phase (a) in which the incongruent double-salt in trona and/or wegscheiderite is dissolved from an ore face in a first solvent, and a cavity cleaning phase (b) in which sodium bicarbonate deposited on the ore face during the dissolution phase (a) is dissolved into a second aqueous solvent having a higher pH, hydroxide content, and/or temperature and is partly or completely converted in situ to sodium carbonate. The method further comprises withdrawing a liquor resulting from either phase to the ground surface, optionally recycling some liquor to the cavity; and passing some liquor through a crystallizer, a reactor, and/or an electrodialyser, to form at least one sodium-based product which is recovered.

Abstract: An improved solution mining method for a soluble target layer comprising a target material such as potash, wherein an elongate sump is developed within a salt layer underlying the target layer, with generally horizontal wells extending through the target layer to empty into the elongate sump, the sump capable of storing at least a portion of the salt liberated from the target layer so that an optimized proportion of target material is produced.

Abstract: An improved solution mining method for a soluble target layer such as potash, comprising injecting spent crystallizer brine unsaturated with salt generally horizontally into the top of the target layer to enable immediate target layer dissolution with waste salt accumulating in the sump while the dissolved target material is produced.

Abstract: A method of heap leaching including forming a heap lift, installing a horizontal solution collection system between the heap layers including a horizontal tubing with a wireline data collection tool disposed therein, providing a heap leach model for modeling the heap leach operation including a solvent formulation and a irrigation setting, obtaining collected data from the wireline data collection tool while irrigating the heap lift, the collected data including in-situ material parameters of the heap layers and in-situ solution parameters of the solution flowing in the heap layers, modeling the heap leach operation using the collected data based on the heap leach model to generate a result, and adjusting the heap leach operation based on the result.

Abstract: A liquid collection process with liquid guiding holes for in-situ leaching an ore body to extract rare earth elements, including: 1) multiple liquid collection channels are provided in an ore body; 2) liquid guiding holes are arranged near the bottom and on both sides of the channels, and these holes and the channels jointly constitute a multi-channel mother liquid drainage and collection control network; 3) a blocking wall is provided in the channels, a front lower part of the wall is connected to a channel outlet by a conduit controlled with a ball valve switch at the outlet; 4) a multi-channel mother liquid collection network of liquid collection engineering control system is finally formed through the alternate operation of pressure release and increase. The process reduces the loss rate of mother liquid, reduces environmental pollution, and improves the recovery rate of rare earth elements.

Abstract: An example system includes a combustion chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and at least one reflective surface to direct shock waves in a pattern that meets at a midline nodal point. The example system also includes an ignition source to generate high enthalpy colliding and reverberating shock pressure waves and detonation gasses for dynamic pressurization. An example method for using high enthalpy colliding and/or reverberating shock pressure waves for chemical and material processing. The example method includes providing a combustion chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and at least one reflective surface to direct shock waves in a pattern that meets at a midline nodal point. The example method also includes colliding reflected or opposing combustion-induced or detonation-induced wave fronts within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of solution mining a subterranean mineral ore deposit such as trona ore in which a borehole is drilled from a subterranean mechanically-worked mineral ore mining operation to connect a mineral ore bed to be solution mined, using subterranean drilling apparatus located proximate to the mechanically-worked mineral ore mining operation. The mineral ore bed is isolated from the mechanically-worked mineral ore mining operation by passage of the drilled borehole through an impermeable layer adjacent to the mineral ore bed to be solution mined. The mineral ore bed is then solution-mined using a mining solvent introduced into the mineral ore bed to solubilize the mineral and form a mining solution, and the resulting mining solution is withdrawn from the mineral ore bed.

Abstract: Systems are described for dissolving metal silicates to: produce metal hydroxide; remove carbon dioxide or other acid gases from the atmosphere or other gas mixture by reacting such gases with the metal hydroxide; penetrate or excavate metal silicates; extract metals or silicon-containing compounds from metal silicates; and produce hydrogen and oxygen or other gases.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a planar cavern are provided. The planar cavern is formed by first creating a continuous bore that extends through a subsurface resource deposit. The drill head used to create the bore can be steered in response to information about the concentration of the resource in the strata through which the drill head is passing, in order to keep the bore within resource deposit. The continuous bore can be formed by connecting first and second bores at a point within the subsurface resource deposit. After the continuous bore has been formed, a sawing assembly is placed within the continuous bore. The sawing assembly is then moved, in a continuous or in a reciprocating fashion, within the continuous bore. As the sawing assembly is moved, it is maintained under tension, to create a planar cavern. By thus exposing a large area of the resource deposit, a relatively large amount of the resource deposit can be dissolved in a solvent introduced to the planar cavern per unit time.

Abstract: A method for increasing the evaporation rate of an evaporative pond containing pond liquor comprising water and at least 1% by weight of sodium carbonate, said evaporative pond being in contact with an ambient air at an ambient air temperature of more than 0° C., the method comprising the following steps: feeding part of the pond liquor to a heat exchanger; heating the pond liquor in the heat exchanger with heat and producing a heated pond liquor; feeding the heated pond liquor into a spraying device at an operating temperature of at least 10° C. above the ambient air temperature; and spraying the heated pond liquor into an open area of the evaporative pond with the spraying device, so as to evaporate at least part of the water of the pond liquor when sprayed.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method for producing liquid hydrocarbon product, the method comprising disintegrating a hydrocarbon source; pretreating the disintegrated hydrocarbon source; solubilizing the disintegrated hydrocarbon source to form a slurry comprising a reactant molecule of the hydrocarbon source; admixing a biochemical liquor into the slurry, wherein the biochemical liquor comprises at least one conversion enzyme configured to facilitate bond selective photo-fragmentation of said reactant molecule of the hydrocarbon source, to form liquid hydrocarbons via enzyme assisted bond selective photo-fragmentation, wherein said conversion enzyme comprises reactive sites configured to restrict said reactant molecule such that photo-fragmentation favorably targets a preselected internal bond of said reactant molecule; separating the liquid hydrocarbons from the slurry, wherein contaminants remain in the slurry; and enriching the liquid hydrocarbons to form a liquid hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: An in situ recovery of uranium operation involves circulating reactive fluids through an underground uranium deposit. These fluids contain chemicals that dissolve the uranium ore. Uranium is recovered from the fluids after they are pumped back to the surface. Chemicals used to accomplish this include complexing agents that are organic, readily degradable, and/or have a predictable lifetime in an aquifer. Efficiency is increased through development of organic agents targeted to complexing tetravalent uranium rather than hexavalent uranium. The operation provides for in situ immobilization of some oxy-anion pollutants under oxidizing conditions as well as reducing conditions. The operation also artificially reestablishes reducing conditions on the aquifer after uranium recovery is completed. With the ability to have the impacted aquifer reliably remediated, the uranium recovery operation can be considered inherently safe.

Abstract: In-situ solution mining method of an ore bed, particularly containing trona, which comprises exposing to a solvent an ore region inside a borehole drilled in the ore, and dissolving a desired solute within the exposed region to provide a liquor and create a voided ‘undercut’, such undercutting making the ore susceptible to gravitational loading and crushing. Unexposed ore falls into the undercut by gravity without breaking the ore roof resulting in exposure of fresh ore to the solvent and in preventing solvent exposure to contaminating material near the roof. The desired solute is eventually dissolved away in the entire bed from its floor up to its roof. Solvent injection may be delivered through a conduit positioned inside the borehole, and may be moved by retracting or perforating the conduit. The method may employ an advancing undercut initiated up-dip and traveling down-dip, or a retreating undercut initiated down-dip and traveling up-dip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a planar cavern are provided. The planar cavern is formed by first creating a continuous bore that extends through a subsurface resource deposit. The continuous bore can be formed by connecting first and second bores at a point within the subsurface resource deposit. After the continuous bore has been formed, a sawing assembly is placed within the continuous bore. The sawing assembly is then moved, in a continuous or in a reciprocating fashion, within the continuous bore. As the sawing assembly is moved, it is maintained under tension, to create a planar cavern. By thus exposing a large area of the resource deposit, a relatively large amount of the resource deposit can be dissolved in a solvent introduced to the planar cavern per unit time. Saturated solution can then be pumped from the planar cavern, and the resource recovered from the saturated solution by evaporation.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.

Abstract: A liquid collection process with secondary channels for in-situ leaching an ore body to extract rare earth elements, including: 1) multiple liquid collection channels are provided in an ore body; 2) secondary channels are provided on both sides of the liquid collection channels, and all of the channels jointly constitute a multi-channel mother liquid drainage and collection control network; 3) a blocking wall is provided in the liquid collection channels, the front lower part of the wall is connected to a channel outlet by a conduit which is controlled with a ball valve switch at the outlet; 4) in the measurement and production, a multi-channel mother liquid collection network of liquid collection engineering control system is finally formed through the alternate operation of pressure release and increase; 5) the rare earth recovery rate is finally improved by adjusting the non-mineral liquid and the loss ratio of the mother liquid.

Abstract: A solution mining method for recovering alkali values from a cavity of an underground ore formation comprising trona and/or wegscheiderite; a manufacturing process using such method to make sodium-based product(s); and a sodium-based product obtained therefrom. The method comprises: an ore dissolution phase (a) in which the incongruent double-salt in trona and/or wegscheiderite is dissolved from an ore face in a first solvent, and a cavity cleaning phase (b) in which sodium bicarbonate deposited on the ore face during the dissolution phase (a) is dissolved into a second aqueous solvent having a higher pH, hydroxide content, and/or temperature and is partly or completely converted in situ to sodium carbonate. The method further comprises withdrawing a liquor resulting from either phase to the ground surface, optionally recycling some liquor to the cavity; and passing some liquor through a crystallizer, a reactor, and/or an electrodialyser, to form at least one sodium-based product which is recovered.

Abstract: A liquid collection process with liquid guiding holes for in-situ leaching an ore body to extract rare earth elements, including: 1) multiple liquid collection channels are provided in an ore body; 2) liquid guiding holes are arranged near the bottom and on both sides of the channels, and these holes and the channels jointly constitute a multi-channel mother liquid drainage and collection control network; 3) a blocking wall is provided in the channels, a front lower part of the wall is connected to a channel outlet by a conduit controlled with a ball valve switch at the outlet; 4) a multi-channel mother liquid collection network of liquid collection engineering control system is finally formed through the alternate operation of pressure release and increase. The process reduces the loss rate of mother liquid, reduces environmental pollution, and improves the recovery rate of rare earth elements.

Abstract: A process for formulating high purity potassium chloride from a carnallite source. The process takes advantage of solubility differences and saturation levels in a multiple salt system generated upon dissolution of carnallite. In the system, the sodium chloride is kept in solution and the magnesium chloride present in the system is controlled to be in a concentration range of between 12% and 25% by weight. This avoids co-precipitation of sodium chloride with the potassium chloride during crystallization and therefore prevents the sodium chloride from contaminating the potassium chloride. The result is high grade potassium chloride.

Abstract: A method for treating a nahcolite containing subsurface formation includes solution mining a first nahcolite bed above a hydrocarbon containing layer using a plurality of first solution mining wells. A second nahcolite bed is solution mined below the hydrocarbon containing layer using a plurality of second solution mining wells. At least one of the first solution mining wells is converted into a production well. The hydrocarbon containing layer is heated using a plurality of heaters. Formation fluid is produced from at least one converted first solution mining well.