Wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system

A wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, including: a process-well system including a main process well and multiple auxiliary process wells that are in fluid communication with each other, a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device arranged in the auxiliary process wells and configured to crush or fracture the ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process wells so as to form a chamber of controllable geometry, and a through-well crushing device arranged in the main process well, the auxiliary process wells or the chamber and configured to crush the ore. Fluid is present within the chamber and the process-well system, and the fluid supports the surrounding rock while enabling granular-flow transport of the ore. The chamber is in communication with the wellhead of the main process well, allowing the crushed ore in the chamber to be discharged outside the wellhead of the main process well through the granular flow.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/CN2025/127376, filed on Oct. 13, 2025. The International Application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411428707.2, filed on Oct. 12, 2024, entitled “Wellbore Controllable Expansion Granular-Flow Mining System”. The International Application also claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510313143.6, filed on Mar. 17, 2025, entitled “Deep Formation Wellbore-Chamber Mining System”. The International Application also claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510642351.0, filed on May 19, 2025, entitled “Deep Formation Wellbore-Chamber Mining System and Method”. The aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the technical field of solid mineral extraction, and in particular to a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system.

BACKGROUND

Shaft roadway construction refers to the overall process involved in developing vertical shafts for underground mineral extraction, including shaft excavation, wall lining, and device installation. In practical excavation operations, different construction methods may be adopted depending on variations in geological and hydrogeological conditions. When the overburden and bedrock formation are stable and have relatively low water content, conventional construction methods can be used. However, when the overburden formation is unstable and/or has high water content, special construction measures must be taken to ensure stable excavation.

However, regardless of whether conventional construction methods or special construction measures are employed, current shaft roadway construction techniques are still unable to achieve safe and stable mining operations when dealing with geologically complex formations, such as deep formation, water-covered formations, and easily collapsible formation.

In the prior art, the extraction of underground solid mineral deposits is primarily carried out using the shaft-roadway method. In this approach, mining device is transported into the formation through vertical shafts, inclined roadways, and horizontal drifts, mining operations are conducted underground, and the ore is hauled out by vehicles, transport belts, or other transportation device. However, as the mining depth increases, an increasing number of formations become unmineable due to problems such as rockburst, impact ground pressure, outbursts, roof falls, collapses, and water inrush. Moreover, this method creates large underground openings, which require complex support systems to stabilize the resulting chambers. Nevertheless, when mining deep formations or non-hard formation, collapses may still occur, leading to interruptions in mining operations.

Since the Song Dynasty in China, when water was injected into wellbores to dissolve and extract salt, people have been exploring new methods for obtaining deep-seated minerals. For a long time, how to efficiently extract mineral resources from deep formations has remained a major concern. In the 1970s, some researchers proposed extracting solid minerals by using high-pressure water jets to impact the wellbore wall and create chambers in rock or coal seams. Although this method can produce chambers in low-hardness minerals, the jetting range is limited, making it difficult to control the extraction volume. In addition, the jet used for impact cannot be precisely controlled, making accurate rock crushing impossible. As chambers form, the broken mineral particles also cannot be effectively carried out of the wellbore by the circulating water, making it impossible to form large, well-shaped chambers. Consequently, such methods cannot meet industrial-scale mining requirements and cannot create extraction spaces with controllable geometry. They are even less applicable to deep metal-ore deposits. Related techniques include raise boring and reaming technologies. Traditional raise boring can, under special circumstances, perform some excavation functions, but it is mainly used to construct ventilation shafts upward from horizontal drifts and depends on transporting the raise-boring head through the drift. Reamers can be lowered into the wellbore with the cutter wings folded and then gradually expand the borehole by opening the wings as the drill string rotates. However, the expansion range of the reamer is very limited-generally no more than 30% of the original borehole diameter-and reamers perform poorly in inclined or horizontal wells, making stable operation difficult. Therefore, none of the above-mentioned existing technologies can be used to enlarge the extraction range within an ore deposit.

In addition, when mining mineral resources in formations beneath bodies of water such as oceans or lakes, existing technologies mainly rely on coastal development methods. Vertical shafts are drilled onshore, and roadways are excavated toward the subsea formations. Essentially, this approach also relies on the shaft-roadway method for ore extraction and transportation. However, this method cannot extend far into the marine environment and carries a significant risk of water inrush. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective technologies for mining both deep-seated mineral deposits and mineral resources within subsea formations.

Accordingly, based on years of experience and practical work in the relevant industry, the inventors have proposed a wellbore chamber mining system and method for deep-seated formations to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. The disclosed system, composed of wellbores, employs wellbore chamber robots to carry out large-scale, high-efficiency mining operations in deep or non-hard formations in the form of chamber clusters or dynamic chambers, establishing wellbore chamber mining technology. Together with existing drilling and completion technologies and shaft-roadway mining methods, this system forms a more complete underground mining engineering technology framework, which can play a significant role in the efficient development of deep mineral resources as well as mineral deposits beneath subsea formations.

SUMMARY

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system. Based on a three-dimensional well network formed by main process wells and multiple auxiliary process wells, the system employs expansion and excavation-related device to perform chamber-forming mining, crushing, and wellbore transport operations within the wellbores, thereby ensuring wellbore stability and efficient ore extraction.

The objectives of the present disclosure can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

The present disclosure provides a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, which includes a process-well system with a vertical depth and a horizontal displacement, a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device, a through-well crushing device, and a wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device. The process-well system includes a main process well and multiple auxiliary process wells, with the auxiliary process wells in communication with the main process wells. The main process well has an inner diameter less than 1 meter and a length greater than 100 meters. The vertical depth is greater than 100 meters, and the horizontal displacement is greater than 50 meters. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is arranged in the auxiliary process wells and is configured to fracture or crush ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process wells, thereby forming a chamber with a controllable geometry. The through-well crushing device is arranged in the main process well, the auxiliary process wells, or the chambers, and is configured to re-crush the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device or the fallen ore. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is configured to enter the process-well system and carry the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device and/or the through-well crushing device. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is configured to transport the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device through the process well system to a rock-crushing location and/or to transport the through-well crushing device to a rock-crushing location. Fluid is present in the chamber and the process-well system to support the surrounding rock and form a granular flow for carrying ore. The chamber is in communication with the wellhead of the process-well system, allowing the crushed ore within the chamber to be discharged outside the wellhead via the granular flow.

The present disclosure provides another wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, which includes a process-well system with a vertical depth and a horizontal displacement, a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device, a through-well ore removal device, and a main crushing device. The process-well system includes at least two wells, including a main process well for horizontal ore removal and an ore discharge well for vertically lifting ore. The main process well has an inner diameter less than 1 meter and a well depth greater than 200 meters. The vertical depth is greater than 100 meters and the horizontal displacement is greater than 50 meters. The ore discharge well has an inner diameter less than 2 meters and a well depth greater than 100 meters. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device can travel along the main process well and enter the formation to crush or fracture ore, thereby forming a chamber. The through-well ore removal device can travel along the main process well to transport the ore, transporting the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device along the main process well to the ore discharge well. The main crushing device is arranged in the ore discharge well and is configured to re-crush the ore transported from the main process well into the ore discharge well. Fluid is present within the chamber and the process-well system. The fluid supports the surrounding rock and form a granular flow for carrying ore. The chamber is in communication with the wellhead of the main process well, allowing the crushed ore within the chamber to be discharged outside the wellhead via the granular flow.

The beneficial effects of the present disclosure are as follows:

The process well system includes a main process well and multiple auxiliary process wells that are in communication with the main process well. A through-well crushing device is disposed within the main process well, the auxiliary process wells, or the chamber to crush the ore. A three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is arranged in the auxiliary process wells and is capable of crushing or fracturing the ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process wells so as to form a chamber with a controllable geometry. A wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device can enter the process well system and carry either the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device or the through-well crushing device, enabling the device to accurately reach a predetermined position to perform ore-crushing operations. After the ore is crushed, a wellbore ore-lifting device may be used to transport the extracted ore to the wellhead, thereby achieving controllable enlargement of the wellbore and discharge of the ore. Based on a three-dimensional well network formed by the main process wells and multiple auxiliary process wells, the present disclosure enables mining, crushing, and wellbore transportation operations through the combined use of the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device, the through-well crushing device, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, and the wellbore ore-lifting device, ensuring wellbore stability and efficient ore extraction. The system is suitable for mining operations in small-diameter wellbores.

The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device proposed in this disclosure is capable of moving within the auxiliary process well that is reoriented and drilled by the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device transported through a traveling mechanism or drill string. This enables precise control of the ore deposits based on the trajectory of the auxiliary wellbore.

The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device proposed herein can respectively transport the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device to the predetermined rock-fracturing position, and transport the through-well crushing device to a location near the mining site where the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device operates. This enables in-situ secondary crushing of the ore produced by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device, thereby addressing the problem of how to transport the crushed ore out of the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 is a first schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a second schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a chamber in the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a third schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a fourth schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a fifth schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of position A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view of position B in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a sixth schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a seventh schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a top view of a horizontal intersection well network in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the horizontal intersection well network;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the horizontal intersection well network;

FIG. 15 is an eighth schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a traveling mechanism in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device in a chamber;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a ninth schematic diagram of a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing the position of a through-well crushing device in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a through-well crushing device in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the through-well crushing device in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view along C-C of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a right-side view of a through-well crushing device in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view along D-D of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a driving mechanism in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing the connection state of a through-well crushing device and a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device in a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged view showing the position of a crushing mechanism in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a right-side view of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 31 is a partial right-side view of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 32 is another partial right-side view of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 33 is a right-side view of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 34 is a top view of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 35 is a partial schematic view of wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 36 is a partial schematic view showing another crushing method of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 37 is another partial right-side view of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 19.

 REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

    • 1. Main process well
      • 101, lifting well
      • 102, injection well
      • 103, first main process well
      • 104, second main process well
    • 2. Auxiliary process well
      • 201, extension auxiliary well section
      • 202, crushing-expanding auxiliary well section
      • 203, first-level auxiliary process well
      • 204, second-level auxiliary process well
    • 3. Chamber
    • 4. Ore discharge well
    • 5. Ore deposit
    • 6. Delivery pump
    • 7. Flexible wellbore mining operation device
      • 71, articulated short section
    • 8. Three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device
      • 801, three-dimensional extension section
      • 802, primary crushing device body
      • 803, tunneling mechanism
      • 804, jet nozzle
      • 805, extension driving mechanism
      • 806, flow channel
      • 81, primary crushing assembly
        • 811, electric rock fracturing assembly
        • 812, energy release window
        • 813, first electrode
        • 814, second electrode
        • 815, mounting seat
        • 816, electric fracturing assembly housing
        • 817, power supply cable
        • 818, branch wellbore re-entry assembly
        • 819, re-entry driving mechanism
        • 820, transducer module
        • 821, jet crusher
        • 822, energetic-unit accommodating tube
        • 823, release mechanism
        • 824, energetic unit
    • 9. Control cable
    • 10. Power cable
    • 11. Through-well crushing device
      • 1101, crushing mechanism
      • 1102, power mechanism
      • 1103, traveling mechanism
      • 1104, fixing mechanism
      • 1105, crawling tube string
        • 11051, first short section
        • 11052, second short section
        • 11053, third short section
      • 1106, power assembly
      • 1107, crushing assembly
      • 1108, guiding assembly
      • 1109, extension arm
        • 11091, first mining segment
        • 11092, second mining segment
      • 1110, bucket
      • 1111, crushing device body
        • 11111, piston chamber
      • 1112, crushing jaw
      • 1113, driving device
        • 11131, piston disc
        • 11132, piston rod
      • 1114, articulation point
      • 1115, drive shaft
      • 1116, sun gear
      • 1117, planetary gear
      • 1118, ring gear
    • 12. Traveling device
      • 1201, traction slideway
      • 1202, fracturing device deployment assembly
      • 1203, telescopic rod
      • 1204, fixing component
    • 13. Drill string
      • 1301, coiled tubing
    • 14. Through-well in-situ extension operation device
      • 1401, operation body
        • 14011, first connecting member
        • 14012, second connecting member
      • 1402, extension section
        • 14021, first support rod
        • 14022, second support rod
      • 1403, support section
      • 1404, auxiliary well detection assembly
      • 1405, wellbore enlarging assembly
      • 1406, crawling assembly
    • 15. Through-well ore removal device
      • 1501, raking mechanism
      • 1502, screw clearing mechanism
      • 1503, hydraulic jet clearing mechanism
      • 1504, stirring mechanism
    • 16. Main crushing device
      • 1601, vertical-axis crushing device
      • 1602, vertical-axis power motor

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objective, and effect of the present disclosure, the specific embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 37, the present disclosure provides a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, which may also be referred to as a wellbore controllable-expansion granular-flow mining system, in which “controllable expansion” refers to the controlled enlargement of the chamber. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system includes a process well system, a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device, a through-well crushing device, and a wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device.

The process well system has a vertical depth and a horizontal displacement. The process well system includes main process wells and multiple auxiliary process wells. The auxiliary process wells is in communication with the main process wells. The main process well has an inner diameter less than 1 m and a length greater than 100 m. The vertical depth is greater than 100 m and the horizontal displacement is greater than 50 m.

The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is disposed in the auxiliary process well, and configured to fracture or crush the ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well so as to form a chamber with a controllable geometry.

The through-well crushing device is disposed in the main process well, the auxiliary process well, or the chamber. The through-well crushing device is configured to re-crush the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device or the fallen ore.

The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is configured to enter the process well system and carry the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device and/or the through-well crushing device. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is configured to transport the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device through the process well system and position it near a mining fracturing location; and/or to transport the through-well crushing device and position it near a mining fracturing location.

The chamber and the process well system contain a fluid, which supports the surrounding rock and forms a granular flow capable of carrying broken ore. The chamber is in communication with the wellhead of the main process well, and the granular flow transports the fractured ore from the chamber to outside the wellhead of the main process well.

In the present disclosure, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system includes a process well system, a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8, a through-well crushing device 11, a wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, and a wellbore ore-lifting device. The process well system has a vertical depth (the projection length of the wellbore of the process well system on a vertical plane) and a horizontal displacement (the projection length of the wellbore on a horizontal plane, i.e., the distance between the end of the horizontal section and the vertical line passing through the wellhead). The process well system is a transport wellbore system including at least main process wells 1 and multiple auxiliary process wells 2. The auxiliary process wells 2 are drilled and formed based on the main process well 1 and may be distributed at intervals along the extension direction of the horizontal displacement of the main process well 1. Each auxiliary process well 2 is a branch well extending from the main process well 1, with one end connected to the horizontal displacement section of the main process well 1 and the other end extending obliquely or vertically relative to the horizontal displacement of the main process well 1. The main process well 1 is a circular wellbore with an inner diameter less than 1 m (small-diameter wellbore) and a length greater than 100 m. The vertical depth of the main process well 1 is greater than 100 m, and its horizontal displacement is greater than 50 m.

The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is disposed in the auxiliary process well 2 and is configured to fracture or crush the ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2, so as to form a controllable chamber 3 within the auxiliary process well 2.

The through-well crushing device 11 is disposed in the main process well 1, the auxiliary process well 2, or the chamber 3, and is configured to perform secondary crushing on the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or on fallen ore. Depending on the location where ore needs to be crushed, the through-well crushing device 11 can be moved between the main process well 1, the auxiliary process well 2, and the chamber (3), so that it is positioned at the appropriate location to crush the ore.

The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is configured to enter the process well system and carry the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and/or the through-well crushing device 11. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is configured to transport the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and the through-well crushing device 11 into the process well system, and to carry the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 through the process well system to a location near the target mining and fracturing site; and/or to carry the through-well crushing device 11 to a location near the mining and fracturing site.

The wellbore ore-lifting device transports the mined ore to outside the wellhead through the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process well 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the process well system further includes an ore discharge well 4 in communication with the chamber 3, and the wellbore ore-lifting device transports ore from the chamber 3 to outside the wellhead through the ore discharge well 4. Alternatively, the ore discharge well 4 may be in communication with the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process well 2, so that the wellbore ore-lifting device transports ore from the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process well 2 to outside of the wellhead through the ore discharge well 4.

The chamber 3 and the process well system contain a fluid, which supports the surrounding rock and forms a granular flow capable of carrying the fractured ore. The chamber 3 is in communication with the wellhead of the main process well 1, and the granular flow transports the fractured ore from the chamber 3 to outside of the wellhead of the main process well 1. The density of the fluid ranges from 0.3 g/cm3 to 3 g/cm3.

In the present disclosure, the aforementioned fluid may be a conventional liquid medium, such as water, or any medium having liquid-phase properties, including supercritical media. The specific type of liquid is not limited herein. In the present disclosure, the process well system includes the main process well and/or the ore discharge well. Both the main process well and the ore discharge well are types of process well within the process well system. When ore is discharged through the ore discharge well, it has left the process well system, which is equivalent to discharging ore outside the wellhead of any other main process well.

In the present disclosure, the main process well 1 is a cylindrical wellbore with an inner diameter less than 1 m (small-diameter wellbore) and a length greater than 100 m. The vertical depth of the main process well 1 is greater than 100 m, and its horizontal displacement is greater than 50 m. The actual vertical depth of the main process well 1 is determined according to the specific burial depth of the underground ore deposit 5. For ease of mining, the main process well 1 is positioned below the ore deposit 5, and its horizontal displacement is configured to extend along the ore deposit 5. Positioning the main process well 1 beneath the ore deposit 5 facilitates the installation of auxiliary process wells 2, which may extend obliquely upward relative to the main process well 1. This arrangement enables ore within the ore deposit 5 to fall and be transported under its own weight more efficiently.

In the present disclosure, the process well system includes main process wells 1 and multiple auxiliary process wells 2 in communication with the main process wells 1. The through-well crushing device 11 is disposed in the main process well 1, the auxiliary process well 2, or the chamber 3 and is configured to crush ore. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is disposed in the auxiliary process well 2 and is configured to fracture or crush ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2 to form a controllable chamber 3. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is capable of entering the process well system and carrying the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and/or the through-well crushing device 11, so that these devices can accurately reach predetermined locations for ore fracturing operations. After ore fracturing is completed, the mined ore can be transported to outside the wellhead via the wellbore ore-lifting device, achieving controllable expansion of the wellbore and efficient ore discharge. Based on a three-dimensional well network formed by the main process wells 1 and multiple auxiliary process wells 2, the system integrates the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8, the through-well crushing device 11, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, and the wellbore ore-lifting device to perform mining, ore crushing, and wellbore transport operations. This ensures the stability of the wellbore and the efficient extraction of ore, and is particularly suitable for mining operations in small-diameter wellbores.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary process well 2 may be a branch well with controllable trajectory, a branch well formed by directional sidetracking, or a branch well formed by directional windowing followed by sidetracking.

Furthermore, the auxiliary process well 2 may include a first-level auxiliary process well and a second-level auxiliary process well. The first-level auxiliary process well is obtained by sidetracking from the borehole wall of the main process well 1, and the second-level auxiliary process well is obtained by sidetracking from the borehole wall of the first-level auxiliary process well. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is disposed in the first-level and/or second-level auxiliary process well to perform volumetric crushing of the rock mass. In this embodiment, the second-level auxiliary process well extends laterally from the first-level auxiliary process well, thereby addressing the issue that the first-level auxiliary process well may not fully contact the mineral deposit. By forming second-or multi-level branch wellbores in this manner, the well system can contact the mineral deposit in a “tree root”-like pattern, substantially increasing the contact area between the wellbore and the mineral deposit. This allows the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 to effectively perform volumetric crushing.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore ore-lifting device may include a granular-flow lifting device and/or a mechanical lifting device. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the granular-flow lifting device may be a hydraulic transporting device. Specifically, a delivery pump 6 is disposed at the wellhead of the main process well 1, and pumps a mineral-laden fluid into the wellbore. Ore is transported through the ore discharge well 4 to outside the wellhead in the form of a particle flow. The delivery pump 6 in this embodiment may be a two-phase or multi-phase flow pump. When a mechanical lifting device is employed, the mechanical lifting device may include an ore-lifting device, such as a pipe-chain transporting device, chain-bucket transporting device, or chain-scraper transporting device, which extends through the pipeline into the ore discharge well 4 and further to outside the wellhead. The ore discharge well 4, as a form of process well, is included within the process well system. Since the mechanical lifting device is permanently installed in the process well, this wellbore is defined as the ore discharge well. Ore located in the auxiliary process wells 2 or the chamber 3 can fall under its own weight into the ore discharge well 4 and then be transported to outside the wellhead via the installed pipe-chain transporting device, chain-scraper transporting device, or chain-bucket transporting device.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary process well 2 may be formed by a controllable-trajectory ultra-short-radius directional drilling tool, a radial well drilling tool, a coiled tubing directional drilling tool, or a wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device. Of course, other device may also be used to form the auxiliary process well. The auxiliary process well 2 includes a curved section with a turning radius of less than 30 meters. It further includes an extension section, and an angle between the central axis of the extension section and the central axis of the main process well 1 ranges from 20° to 90°. This design minimizes the impact of the auxiliary process well 2 on the integrity of the main process well 1, and allows a higher density of auxiliary process wells 2 to control the mineral deposit, thereby improving ore recovery.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, branch wellbores are formed using a branch wellbore drilling tool. The branch wellbore drilling tool includes a controllable build-up mechanism and a flexible drilling tool. The controllable build-up mechanism is configured to laterally cut the borehole wall of the main process well 1 to initiate the opening of the branch wellbore. The branch wellbore drilling tool is used to drill high-density lateral branch wellbores within the main process well 1. These branch wellbores are multiple branches in communication with the main process well 1, with an inter-branch spacing of less than 30 meters. The branch wellbores are ultra-short-radius branch wells with a turning radius of less than 30 meters. The branch wellbores achieve a deflection of 0° to 45° within 20 meters, and the angle between the extension section of the branch wellbore and the main process well ranges from 45° to 90°.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system includes two channels. One of the channels serves as a transporting channel for transporting the through-well crushing device 11, while the other channel is used for primary fracturing and may be the main process well 1 or the auxiliary process well 2. The two channels are interconnected through the chamber 3 and are used for transporting the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8. In this embodiment, a standard auxiliary process well 2 has an inner diameter of less than 0.5 meters, whereas an auxiliary fracturing process well is an auxiliary process well 2 with an inner diameter of less than 0.3 meters.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes a wellbore ore-lifting device. The wellbore ore-lifting device transports the mined ore to outside the wellhead through the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process wells 2. Alternatively, the process well system may include an ore discharge well in communication with the chamber 3, the main process well 1, and/or the auxiliary process wells 2. The wellbore ore-lifting device transports the mined ore to outside the wellhead via the ore discharge well. The wellbore ore-lifting device may include a granular-flow lifting device and/or a mechanical lifting device. In this embodiment, the ore discharge well is also considered a type of process well 1. When a certain process well in the system is used for ore discharge, it is regarded as the ore discharge well.

Furthermore, the granular-flow lifting device may include an external back-pressure pump or circulation pump located outside the well, or a two-phase or multi-phase flow pump located within the wellbore.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes an ore discharge well. The ore discharge well is equipped with a return channel and has an average inner diameter of less than 2 meters, such as less than 1 meter. The ore discharge well is in communication with the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process wells 2. Each of the main process well 1 and the auxiliary process wells 2 has an inner diameter of less than 1 meter. Through the ore discharge well, the mined ore can be transported to outside the wellhead.

It should be noted that although the overall inner diameter of the ore discharge well is less than 1 meter, local enlargement is required at intersections with other main process wells to facilitate communication. In this embodiment, the locally enlarged sections generally do not exceed 3 meters in diameter. The ore discharge well is primarily used to discharge the majority of the ore particle flow from the process well system. The chambers described herein also include enlarged bores formed by diameter enlargement using a reamer at any section of the wellbore. Particularly in soft formations, high-density multi-branch wells can perform reaming operations, which can create locally enlarged chambers of relatively large diameter through the reaming process.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main process well 1 includes at least two wellheads, which are in communication via the main process well 1 or auxiliary process wells 2. Among these, at least one wellhead is configured for transporting the through-well fracturing device 11, and at least another wellhead is configured for injecting the ore-carrying fluid, thereby providing the driving force for ore discharge.

Furthermore, the fluid injected into the chambers 3 and the above-described process well system (including the main process wells 1 and multiple auxiliary process wells 2) is in a liquid or supercritical state, i.e., ore-carrying fluid. The density of the ore-carrying fluid ranges from 0.3 g/cm3 to 3 g/cm3. During flow within the process well system, the ore-carrying fluid can transport the crushed ore along with it, thereby enabling ore discharge. The ore-carrying fluid is a low-density granular-flow working fluid, which may be prepared by mixing a mixture of thickeners, dispersants, and/or bentonite. The ore-carrying fluid has a viscosity higher than that of water and exhibits a certain degree of adhesiveness, allowing it to carry crushed ore during flow.

In this embodiment, a wellhead configured for ore discharge functions as the ore discharge well. A circulation pipeline may be provided outside the wellhead of the ore discharge well, and may include a solid-liquid separation device. The ore-carrying fluid in the circulation pipeline passes through the solid-liquid separation device, where the ore particles are separated from the fluid. The fluid is then recirculated back to the injection pump or back-pressure pump for reinjection into the process well system.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the process well system includes at least two main process wells 1, including a first main process well 103 for transporting the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and a second main process well 104 for transporting the through-well fracturing device 11. The first main process well 103 and the second main process well 104 are interconnected either directly at their intersection, via auxiliary process wells 2, and/or via chambers 3. At the intersection, the vertical depth of the second main process well 104, its auxiliary process wells 2, or the chambers 3 formed by its local enlargement is greater than or equal to the vertical depth of the first main process well 103, its auxiliary process wells 2, or the chambers 3 formed by its local enlargement. In this embodiment, “interconnected at intersection” refers to an intersection in the plan view; in the vertical direction, the wellbores may intersect directly or be interconnected via auxiliary process wells 2 or chambers 3. The auxiliary process wells 2 are branch sections formed from the wellbore walls of the first main process well 103 or the second main process well 104. The detailed structures of the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and the through-well fracturing device 11 shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 can be referred to in FIGS. 9, 31, 35, or 36, which depict the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and the through-well fracturing device 11.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device includes a flexible wellbore mining operation device 7. The maximum bending curvature of the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 is adapted to the curvature of the turning positions of the auxiliary process wells 2, so that the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 can meet the curvature requirements imposed by the turning positions in the auxiliary process wells 2. The flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 can carry the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or the through-well fracturing device 11 from the main process well 1 into the auxiliary process wells 2, thereby delivering the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and the through-well fracturing device 11 to predetermined positions within the process well system for ore fracturing operations. The axial length of the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 is greater than three times the diameter of the auxiliary process well 2.

Furthermore, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device further includes a travel system, which is disposed at the tail end of the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7. The travel system drives the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 to travel within the process well system. The travel system may include a traveling device, coiled tubing, drill rods, or other drill strings with drilling-feeding functions, which are connected to the tail end of the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 to propel it along the wellbore. Alternatively, the travel system may be a traveling device that travels within the wellbore, such as a downhole crawler or pipeline robot, which provides driving force for the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 to travel inside the wellbore. In the present disclosure, the pipeline robot used is a conventional product, and its specific structure and working principle are not limited herein. Since the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 operates inside the wellbore, the device connected at its tail to a drill string or coiled tubing can also be advanced and retrieved within the wellbore.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 connected to a drill string or coiled tubing at its tail is also considered a type of wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device.

The flexible wellbore mining operation device 7 may be, but is not limited to, a flexible manipulator. The flexible manipulator can travel in the main process well 1 and the auxiliary process wells 2, and can adaptively adjust its bending angle at the connection positions between the main process well 1 and the auxiliary process wells 2 or at the turns of the auxiliary process wells 2.

In the present embodiment, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device includes a flexible crawler or a flexible coiled tubing. The flexible crawler or flexible coiled tubing carries an operation unit, and the operation unit can enter the auxiliary process well 2 along with the flexible crawler or flexible coiled tubing to fracture or crush the ore. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 may further include one or more selected from a group consisting of a blasting fracturing device, a static pressure fracturing device, an electric fracturing device, a hydraulic fracturing device, a jet fracturing device, and a high-energy gas fracturing device. Correspondingly, the operation unit may be the fracturing portion of any one or more of these devices to crush the ore. The specific structure of the operation unit is not limited herein.

In a case where the operation unit enters the auxiliary process well 2 with the flexible crawler, the flexible crawler includes an operation segment and a flexible crawling segment. The flexible crawling segment includes a series of short sections connected by multiple hinges. The series of short sections is provided with a support portion and a telescopic portion.

The support portion may include support arms, support blocks, or inflatable bladders.

In a case where the operation unit enters the auxiliary process well 2 with the flexible coiled tubing, the flexible coiled tubing is made of highly plastic and high-elasticity metals, composite metals, or is formed by connecting multiple hinged short sections in series. In this case, the flexible coiled tubing is advanced by an external driving force, which may be provided by surface power device in the form of drilling thrust, or by downhole device providing a pushing force. Specifically, during the operation, in order to improve mining efficiency, multiple auxiliary process wells 2 are usually provided, and each auxiliary process well 2 is independently equipped with a flexible wellbore mining operation device 7. During mining, the flexible wellbore mining operation devices 7) in the multiple auxiliary process wells 2 operate independently. Therefore, after ore excavation is completed in one auxiliary process well 2, the through-well fracturing device 11 located in the main process well 1 needs to be transferred to the inlet of the next auxiliary process well 2 for the next round of operation, and this cycle is repeated sequentially.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 includes a primary crushing assembly. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device includes a three-dimensional extension section 801 capable of driving the primary crushing assembly to move. The three-dimensional extension section 801 includes a traveling mechanism or a traveling device capable of driving the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device to move within the wellbore system. In some embodiments, the traveling mechanism or traveling device may be implemented as the flexible crawler or flexible coiled tubing described above. In this embodiment, the primary crushing assembly may be replaced with a fracturing assembly or a mining assembly. The traveling mechanism and the traveling device can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, a guiding insertion tool may be used as a carrier for the primary crushing assembly, carrying a controllable impact fracturing assembly into a branch wellbore. The controllable impact fracturing assembly is then used to achieve rock fragmentation.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 includes a tunneling mechanism 803, which rotates under the drive of a downhole power unit or a drill string. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 further includes an extension driving mechanism 805 configured to drive the tunneling mechanism 803 to perform an opening and retraction motion, wherein the extension driving mechanism 805 moves toward or away from the rotational axis of the tunneling mechanism 803 during the opening and retraction motion. In this embodiment, the downhole power unit may be, but is not limited to, a downhole motor.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 includes a tunneling mechanism 803. The tunneling mechanism 803 includes a primary crushing device body 802 that rotates under the drive of a downhole power unit or a drill string, at least two blade wings pivotally connected to the primary crushing device body 802, and an extension driving mechanism 805 configured to drive the blade wings to open and retract. One end of each blade wing is connected to the device body, and the other end moves toward or away from the rotational axis of the device body during the opening and retracting motion. In this embodiment, the extension driving mechanism 805 may be, but is not limited to, a drive cylinder pivotally connected at both ends to the blade wings and the device body.

Specifically, when the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is a jet crusher, the jet crusher includes a primary crushing device body 802 and a jet nozzle 804 mounted on the primary crushing device body 802. A high-pressure jet flows through the drill string 13 into the flow channel 806 inside the three-dimensional extension section 801 and then is ejected through the jet nozzle 804 to impact the surrounding rock.

Specifically, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 includes a fracturing assembly, which may be a hydraulic fracturing assembly, a mechanical fracturing assembly, an electric fracturing assembly, or a jet fracturing assembly. The three-dimensional extension section 801 is further provided with a power cable for transmitting hydraulic or chemical energy to the fracturing assembly.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device further includes an auxiliary well detection assembly. The auxiliary well detection assembly is disposed at the front or exterior of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, or at the front or exterior of the flexible drilling tool, or at the front or exterior of the guide insertion tool. The auxiliary well detection assembly may generally be a phased-array sonar or resistivity detection device. The auxiliary well detection assembly 1404 includes a transducer module 820 for detecting the intersection positions of branch wellbores. It can detect and accurately identify the auxiliary process wells 2, enabling access to pre-set first-level and/or second-level auxiliary process wells to achieve precise and orderly volumetric crushing of the rock formation.

The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device further includes a guide insertion tool, which is configured to guide the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device into the auxiliary process well 2. The guide insertion tool includes an auxiliary well detection assembly and a branch well re-entry assembly. The guide insertion tool further includes a guide tube and a guide head disposed at the end of the guide tube, with the auxiliary well detection assembly arranged at the end of the guide head or on the outside of the guide tube.

The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and the above-mentioned primary crushing assembly in the present application may be replaced with a fracturing assembly, mining assembly, or crushing assembly having the same or similar structure as those described in Chinese Patent Application CN118391026A entitled “A Well-Chamber Expansion Mining System and Mining Method”.

The wellbore ore-lifting device in the present application may be replaced with a wellbore ore-lifting device having the same or similar structure as that described in Chinese Patent Application CN118391026A entitled “A Well-Chamber Expansion Mining System and Mining Method.” In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 5, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 includes a fracturing assembly and the aforementioned flexible crawler or flexible tubing. The fracturing assembly is configured to fracture ore, and the flexible crawler or flexible tubing is configured to carry the fracturing assembly and deliver it to a predetermined position within the auxiliary process wells 2.

The fracturing assembly may include any one or more selected from the group consisting of a blasting fracturing devices, a hydrostatic fracturing device, an electric fracturing device, a hydraulic fracturing device, a jet fracturing device, and a high-energy gas fracturing device. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is arranged within the auxiliary process wells 2. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes a fracturing device deployment assembly 1202, which is configured to position the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 at a predetermined location. The system also includes a control cable 9 deployed within the auxiliary process wells 2, the control cable 9 is used to connect the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 to an external control station, thereby controlling the operational state of the device 8. Additionally, the system includes a power cable 10 deployed within the auxiliary process wells 2, the power cable 10 is used to connect the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 to an external power source, thus supplying power for the operation of the device 8. Both the control cable 9 and the power cable 10 may be, but are not limited to, electric cables. In the present disclosure, the above-mentioned blasting fracturing device, hydrostatic fracturing device, electric fracturing device, hydraulic fracturing device, jet fracturing device, and high-energy gas fracturing device are only limited in terms of the manner of fracturing the ore. Any existing device may be used for these fracturing devices, and their specific structures are not particularly limited herein.

Further, the blasting fracturing device may include a liquefied gas blasting device, a high-energy gas blasting device, a supercritical medium blasting device, and/or an explosive blasting device, and is configured to achieve blasting fragmentation of the ore.

Further, the hydrostatic fracturing device includes a hydraulic cylinder, a thrust member, a crawler, and a coiled tubing. The coiled tubing is connected to a chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and is configured to inject hydraulic fluid into the chamber, thereby controlling the extension or retraction of the hydraulic cylinder piston rod. The thrust member is arranged at an end of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder. When the piston rod extends, it drives the thrust member to push against and fracture the ore. The crawler may be, but is not limited to, a crawling robot. The hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the crawler, and the crawler is configured to carry the hydraulic cylinder within the wellbore to a predetermined position, enabling precise ore fracturing. It should be noted that the crawler may also be any other mobile device capable of travelling within the wellbore.

In other embodiments, the auxiliary process wells 2 may be drilled using ultra-short-radius radial horizontal wells. The ultra-short-radius radial horizontal wells are known in the prior art and are not further described herein. To improve drilling and mining efficiency, the drill string used for the ultra-short-radius radial horizontal wells includes a string of coiled tubing including multi-stage three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing devices 8 connected in series. Exemplarily, the three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing devices 8 may be explosive packs, which are pre-positioned within the drilling tools. After the auxiliary process well 2 is drilled, the coiled tubing with the explosive packs can follow the trajectory of the auxiliary process well (2) into the ore deposits to achieve targeted fracturing.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the through-well crushing device 11 includes a jaw crushing assembly, an impact crushing assembly, a cutting crushing assembly, or a jet crusher.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the through-well crushing device 11 includes a crushing mechanism 1101, a power mechanism 1102, a traveling mechanism 1103, and a fixing mechanism 1104. The crushing mechanism 1101 is connected to the power mechanism 1102, and both are arranged along the axial direction of the main process well 1. The crushing mechanism 1101 includes assemblies capable of crushing ore, such as a cutting crushing assembly, an impact crushing assembly, a jaw crushing assembly, a grinding crushing assembly, a rotary crushing assembly, or a counterattack crushing assembly. The crushing mechanism 1101, can crush the ore, reducing the average equivalent diameter of the ore to less than half the diameter of the ore discharge well 4. The traveling mechanism 1103 may be part of the through-well crushing device 11, or it may operate independently of the through-well crushing device 11, as long as it can drive the through-well crushing device 11 to travel along the wellbore. For example, in this embodiment, the screw clearing mechanism 1502 can be used to clear ore and can also serve as a crawling mechanism, driving the through-well crushing device 11 to travel along the wellbore via rotational motion.

Before performing the crushing operation, the through-well crushing device 11 needs to travel along the main process well 1 to a predetermined position within the wellbore (for example, near the junction of the main process well 1 and the auxiliary process wells 2) to crush the ore extracted from the auxiliary process wells 2. The auxiliary process wells 2 extend upward or diagonally upward from the main process well 1, allowing ore from the auxiliary process wells 2 to fall into the through-well crushing device 11. Once the through-well crushing device 11 reaches the predetermined position within the wellbore, it can crush the ore that has collapsed, fallen, been blasted, or fractured from mining operations. The crushed ore is then transported to outside the wellhead. The maximum cross-sectional diameter of the through-well crushing device 11 is less than 2 meters, allowing it to travel smoothly within the main process well 1.

As shown in FIG. 35, one form of the through-well crushing device 11 capable of entering a horizontal well is disposed at the end and driven by a drill string or a traveling mechanism. The through-well crushing device 11 includes an extension arm 1109, a jaw-type crushing assembly, and a bucket 1110. The crushing jaw 1112 and bucket 1110, driven by the extension arm 1109, can move within the chamber, enabling more thorough clearing of the ore inside the chamber.

As shown in FIG. 36, another form of the through-well crushing device 11 capable of entering a horizontal well is disposed at the end and driven by a drill string or a traveling mechanism. The through-well crushing device 11 includes a crushing roller that crushes ore based on the roller-grinding principle. The crushing roller, arranged at the end of the extension arm 1109 and driven by the extension arm 1109, can more thoroughly contact and crush the ore within the chamber. The rear of the extension arm is connected to a hole-expanding assembly 1045, which is used to ream the wellbore and facilitate the movement of the extension arm.

Furthermore, the fixing mechanism 1104 includes anchors or claws. When the through-well crushing device 11 is moved to the predetermined position within the wellbore, the fixing mechanism 1104 can be used to secure the crushing device in the wellbore.

Furthermore, the traveling mechanism 1103 includes a traction mechanism and/or a crawling mechanism connected to the through-well crushing device 11. The traction mechanism or crawling mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an existing traction robot or crawling robot; it may also be a movable component thereof, capable of carrying the crushing mechanism 1101 and the power mechanism 1102 to travel within the wellbore. When the traveling mechanism 1103 operates in a crawling mode, it may autonomously move along a traction cable or a traction slideway arranged in the wellbore, or may autonomously move along the inner wall of the wellbore. When the traveling mechanism 1103 operates in a traction mode, the traction cable or traction slideway arranged in the wellbore drives the traveling mechanism 1103 to move. In some embodiments, the traveling mechanism 1103 and/or the fixing mechanism 1104 may be driven electrically or hydraulically, while in other embodiments, the traveling mechanism 1103 and/or the fixing mechanism 1104 may be driven pneumatically.

In another optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the crawling mechanism may be a crawling tube string 1105 formed by connecting multiple bladder-type short sections in series, each of which is capable of axial extension and contraction. The through-well crushing device 11 is mounted at the front end of the crawling tube string 1105, thereby enabling movement within the wellbore.

In another optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 32, the traveling device 12 is a crawling tube string. Each short section in the crawling tube string 1105 is independently controlled. The first short section and the third short section can independently generate thrust against the wellbore wall to provide support, while the second short section is capable of extension and contraction. Taking a crawling tube string with three short sections (i.e., the first short section 11051, the second short section 11052, and the third short section 11053) as an example, the first short section 11051, the second short section 11052, and the third short section 11053 are connected in series from front to back. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or the through-well crushing device 11 is mounted at the front end of the first short section 11051. When the supporting mechanism on the first short section 11051 expands and applies thrust to the wellbore wall, the through-well crushing device 11 is propelled to move forward, while the first short section 11051 is pressed against the inner wall of the wellbore to provide fixation. At this time, the third short section 11053 may be in a contracted state, and the second short section 11052 shortens to pull the third short section forward, so that the traction force causes the third short section 11053 to move forward. Upon completion of operation of the second short section 11052 and the third short section 11053, the supporting mechanism of the third short section 11053 expands and applies thrust to the wellbore wall, so that the third short section 11053 is pressed tightly against the inner wall of the wellbore, while the first short section 11051 is in a contracted state. Then, the second short section 11052 extends, pushing the first short section 11051 forward, thereby achieving forward movement of the entire crawling tube string 1105 within the wellbore.

The through-well crushing device 11 may travel within the wellbore by being carried by the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, or it may be directly driven by the drill string 13 and/or a traction rope, or it may travel within the wellbore by being carried by the aforementioned crawling mechanism.

In the present disclosure, the above-mentioned crawling tube string 1105 may be used as the flexible crawler in the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8, with the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 arranged at the front end of the first short section 11051 of the crawling tube string 1105, so that the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 can also advance within the wellbore based on the same principle described above. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 may be arranged at the front end of the drill string 13 and driven by the drill string 13 to advance within the wellbore.

In another optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 26, the through-well crushing device 11 includes a crushing device body 1111 and a plurality of crushing jaws 1112. The crushing device body 1111 is a cylindrical structure, and each crushing jaw 1112 is an elongated structure. One end of each of the plurality of crushing jaws 1112 extends into the interior of the crushing device body 1111, while the other end of each crushing jaw 1112 is located outside the crushing device body 1111. The plurality of crushing jaws 1112 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the crushing device body 1111, and the middle portion of each crushing jaw 1112 is pivotally connected to the crushing device body 1111. A driving device 1113 is arranged inside the crushing device body 1111, with the driving device 1113 connected to the ends of the crushing jaws 1112 located inside the crushing device body 1111. The driving device 1113 provides power for the movement of the crushing jaws 1112, allowing each crushing jaw 1112 to swing around its articulation point 1114 pivotally connected to the crushing device body 1111. In this way, the ends of the plurality of crushing jaws 1112 located outside the crushing device body 1111 can “open” or “retract,” thereby achieving the purpose of crushing the ore. The driving device 1113 may be, but is not limited to, a hydraulic, electric, or electromagnetic drive device.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the driving devices 1113 are provided in multiple, with each driving device 1113 corresponding one-to-one with a crushing jaw 1112. Each driving device 1113 is pivotally connected to the end of the corresponding crushing jaw 1112 located inside the crushing device body 1111 via a piston rod 11132, so as to drive the crushing jaw 1112 and transmit power. The crushing device body 1111 is further provided with channels and/or pipelines, which enable signal transmission and control between the driving devices 1113 and the control center.

Specifically, the crushing device body 1111 is a hollow cylindrical structure. On the inner wall of the crushing device body 1111, multiple grooves are evenly distributed circumferentially, each of which accommodates and allows movement of a corresponding crushing jaw 1112. Each crushing jaw 1112 is mounted in its respective groove, and the swinging trajectory of each crushing jaw 1112 lies in a plane that passes through the axis of the crushing device body 1111.

Specifically, to enable the swinging of the crushing jaws 1112, a hinge slot or hole is provided at the front end of the crushing device body 1111. The hinge between the crushing device body 1111 and the crushing jaws 1112 is realized by a hinge pin, which can be integrally formed with either the crushing device body 1111 or the crushing jaw 1112.

In this embodiment, the number of crushing jaws 1112 may be, but is not limited to, 2 to 12. The multiple crushing jaws 1112 are evenly distributed circumferentially around the crushing device body 1111. As an exemplary option of this embodiment, the number of crushing jaws 1112 is seven, and correspondingly, the number of drive devices 1113 is also seven, with each drive device 1113 independently controlling the swinging of its corresponding crushing jaw 1112.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the drive device 1113 may be a hydraulic piston, which includes a piston disc 11131 and a piston rod 11132. The crushing device body 1111 has a piston chamber 11111 featuring multiple-stage internal steps, and the piston disc 11131 is movably disposed within the piston chamber 11111. The piston disc 11131 is connected to an end of the piston rod 11132, while the other end of the piston rod 11132 extends outside the piston chamber 11111 and is hinged to the corresponding crushing jaw 1112. The piston disc 11131 divides the piston chamber 11111 into a front chamber and a rear chamber, both of which are connected to the control center via channels and/or pipelines to control the delivery or discharge of hydraulic oil into the front and/or rear chambers, thereby controlling the hydraulic piston.

During operation, when the piston rod 11132 retracts into the piston chamber 11111, due to the hinged connection between the piston rod 11132 and the crushing jaw 1112 and the constraint of the articulation point 1114, the retraction of the piston rod 11132 drives the end of the crushing jaw 1112 located inside the crushing device body 1111 to move backward. Correspondingly, the end of the crushing jaw 1112 located outside the crushing device body 1111 performs an “opening” action. Conversely, when the piston rod 11132 extends out of the piston chamber 11111, the advancing piston rod 11132 drives the end of the crushing jaw 1112 inside the crushing device body 1111 to move forward, causing the end of the crushing jaw 1112 outside the crushing device body 1111 to perform an “retracting” action.

Furthermore, to ensure the stability of the crushing jaws 1112, a plurality of chain plates (not shown) are provided. Each chain plate is positioned between two adjacent crushing jaws 1112 and hinged to the ends of the adjacent crushing jaws 1112 located inside the crushing device body 1111, thereby ensuring consistency and stability of the multiple crushing jaws 1112 during their swinging motion.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 37, the primary crushing assembly is a reusable primary crushing assembly. The reusable primary crushing assembly may be, but is not limited to, any one or any combination of an electric fracturing assembly, an impact fracturing assembly, or a jet fracturing assembly. The primary crushing assembly is designed to be controllable so that it can be used repeatedly, enabling multi-point continuous fracturing in special scenarios of mineral development. The fracturing assembly may be a hydrostatic fracturing assembly, a hydraulic fracturing assembly, an electric fracturing assembly, or a jet fracturing assembly, and the three-dimensional extension section is also equipped with a power cable for transmitting pressure energy or chemical energy to the fracturing assembly. The fracturing assembly can re-enter through the branch wellbore re-entry assembly 818 and selectively enter the branch well under the drive of the re-entry driving mechanism 819. The explosive controllable impact fracturing assembly, explosive combustion controllable impact fracturing assembly, electric impact controllable impact fracturing assembly, shaped charge controllable impact fracturing assembly, and pulse hydraulic fracturing controllable impact fracturing assembly all operate on the principle of impact fracturing and are capable of controlling the energy released during impact fracturing. According to the principles of energy dissipation and basic rock mechanics, impact fracturing can create a more complex fracture network within a smaller area. It can release a large amount of energy in a short time to achieve formation fracturing, thereby increasing the degree of formation fragmentation while keeping the fracturing range relatively controllable.

Further, the electric fracturing assembly implements volumetric crushing by generating mechanical waves through electrode discharge. The electric fracturing assembly further includes an energy storage device. One end of the power supply cable is electrically connected to the electric fracturing assembly, and the other end of the power supply cable is electrically connected to a power source outside the wellhead. The energy storage device is a capacitor, which may be connected in series between the power supply cable and the reusable primary crushing assembly, or in series at any position along the power supply cable, or located outside the wellhead, with the power source outside the wellhead supplying the energy storage capacitor. In this embodiment, the electric fracturing assembly includes at least two electrodes, a mounting seat 815, and an electric fracturing assembly housing 816. The electric fracturing assembly housing 816 has an energy release window 812, the first electrode 813 is electrically connected to the electric fracturing assembly housing 816, and the second electrode 814 is fixedly connected to the electric fracturing assembly housing 816 through the mounting seat. The mounting seat is made of insulating material, capable of delivering current from the cable to the second electrode, while the electric fracturing assembly housing 816 is made of conductive material to transmit current into the formation. Of course, if the cable is a dual-core cable or coaxial cable including positive and negative poles, the first and second electrodes can be respectively connected to the positive and negative cables via insulating mounting seats. The first electrode pulsed power supply system includes a power supply cable, a switch, and an energy storage capacitor. The energy storage capacitor is located outside the wellhead, and the power supply cable is routed through the main wellbore 1 and auxiliary process wells 2. The first end of the power supply cable (outside the wellhead) is electrically connected to the energy storage capacitor, and the second end (downhole) is electrically connected to the second electrode, which is connected to the controllable impact fracturing assembly. For high-strength rock, multiple sets of switches and capacitors can be used to supply power to the electrodes sequentially at a frequency of 10 to 300 Hz, achieving high-frequency electric impact fracturing. In this embodiment, the wellbore may be filled with water or a carbon dioxide brine mixture; the wellbore requires a conductive medium.

Further, the impact fracturing assembly is provided with a controllable release valve, and the impact fracturing assembly stores compressive energy through a space provided in the pressure-bearing chamber or pressure-bearing tubing. The front end of the pressure-bearing chamber or pressure-bearing tubing is connected to the impact fracturing assembly. In this embodiment, the controllable release valve may be an electrically or hydraulically controlled ball valve or sliding sleeve, enabling repeated impact-induced fracturing. Primary formation fracturing can be realized by injecting acids, alkalis, low-temperature fluids, liquefied gases, supercritical fluids, or heated fluids using impact pressure or pulse pressure. In this embodiment, CO2 phase-change fracturing is employed to achieve impact fracturing, and the controllable release valve ensures repeated CO2 filling and pressurization, thereby achieving continuous multiple impact-induced fractures in the wellbore for ore extraction. The interior of the pressure-bearing chamber includes a heater or electrode, and the chamber is filled with CO2 or a CO2 brine mixture. The heater heats the CO2, or the electrode discharges into the CO2 brine mixture, causing CO2 to undergo a phase-change expansion and generate an impact effect. The controllable release mechanism, which may be an electrically or hydraulically controlled ball valve or sliding sleeve, allows pressure to build up until it is sufficient to damage the rock, and then releases the pressure, thereby improving effectiveness. Opening the ball valve or sliding sleeve when the pressure reaches 30 to 300 MPa achieves a satisfactory effect. In this embodiment, the pressure-bearing tubing has a pressure rating exceeding 30 MPa, which can be met by most commonly used tubing in oil and gas well engineering. A coiled tubing is used to replenish fluid to the pressure-bearing chamber, with the rear end of the chamber connected to the coiled tubing, and a check valve provided at the connection to prevent backflow during CO2 heating. Other methods that induce CO2 phase-change expansion, including detonation, may also be used as alternatives to the heating or discharge methods to promote CO2 phase-change expansion in this embodiment.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is a jet crusher. The jet crusher includes a primary crushing device body and a jet nozzle disposed on the device body. A high-pressure jet enters the flow channel inside the three-dimensional extension segment through the drill string and then impacts the surrounding rock via the jet nozzle. Primary formation fracturing is achieved by injecting acids, alkalis, low-temperature fluids, liquefied gases, supercritical fluids, or heated fluids in the form of a continuous jet or pulsed jet. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device further includes an extension arm, which enlarges the effective range of the jet crusher.

Further, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 further includes an energetic unit housing tube and a release mechanism. The primary crushing assembly includes a plurality of energetic units, which are movably disposed within the energetic unit housing tube. The release mechanism is installed at the front of the energetic unit housing tube and is configured to release the energetic units into the auxiliary process wells 2. Each energetic unit contains energetic material and an ignition device, the material being configured to achieve fracturing through detonation or deflagration.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device includes a through-well in-situ extension operation assembly 14. The through-well in-situ extension operation assembly 14 includes an operation body 1401, an extension section 1402, and a support section 1403. The extension section 1402 and the support section 1403 adopt controllable expansion structures. The operation body 1401 includes a first connection member 14011, a second connection member 14012, and a third connection member 14013 that are in a columnar shape. One end of the first connection member 14011 is connected to the drill-feeding system, and the other end is hinged to one end of the second connection member 14012. The other end of the second connection member 14012 is telescopically connected to one end of the third connection member 14013. Through the hinged connection between the first connection member 14011 and the second connection member 14012, the through-well in-situ extension operation assembly 14 can be bent at a certain angle, facilitating entry into the chamber 3. Moreover, the telescopic connection between the second connection member 14012 and the third connection member 14013 allows adjustment of the overall length of the assembly, so that it can be adapted to chambers 3 of different sizes. The number of extension sections 1402 and support sections 1403 is multiple, and these sections are respectively arranged on the first connection member 14011, the second connection member 14012, and the third connection member 14013.

Further, the extension section 1402 includes an opening-retraction structure, and the support section 1403 includes support legs, with the opening-retraction structure connected between the support legs and the operation body 1401. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the opening-retraction structure includes a first support rod 14021 and a second support rod 14022. One end of the first support rod 14021 and one end of the second support rod 14022 are hinged to the outer wall of the operation body 1401 in a front-to-back arrangement. The other end of the second support rod 14022 is hinged to the middle portion of the first support rod 14021, and the other end of the first support rod 14021 is telescopically connected to the support leg. The second support rod 14022 is a hydraulic cylinder. By actuating the second support rod 14022, the first support rod 14021 can be rotated away from the operation body 1401, thereby pushing the support leg outward to press against the inner wall of the chamber 3. Since the tip of the support leg is pointed, it can be used to fracture or crush the ore, forming a chamber 3 with a controllable geometry. Of course, the controllable expansion structure may also adopt an inflatable and retractable bladder or a controllable bending extension body. When the controllable expansion structure is in the retracted state, the through-well in-situ extension operation device 14 can enter and move within the auxiliary process wells 2; when the controllable expansion structure is in the extended state, the through-well in-situ extension operation device 14 can at least be supported inside the chamber 3 by the support legs.

When the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is used to carry the through-well crushing device 11 and operate in the main process well 1 for ore transportation, since this well serves to converge the ore and is directly connected to the chamber 3, a specific embodiment of the through-well in-situ extension operation device is proposed, which includes a body and a crawling assembly. The crawling assembly is configured to drive the driving section to move within the enlarged main process well 1 and the chamber 3.

In another embodiment, the distal end of the support leg is provided with a grounding structure. The grounding structure includes a foot, fin, claw, or suction cup. By means of the grounding structure, the support leg can firmly grip the rock, thereby achieving fixed support of the through-well in-situ extension operation device 14 within the chamber 3.

Further, the maximum extension length of the support leg or the maximum expansion diameter of the bladder is greater than 50% of the diameter of the auxiliary process well 2, so as to ensure that the through-well in-situ extension operation device 14 can be stably supported within the chamber 3.

In another optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 12-14 and 27-37, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device has an extension arm 1109 at its front end. The extension arm includes at least two mining segments, i.e., a first mining segment 11091, a second mining segment 11092, and the main body of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device are connected sequentially from front to rear. An extension drive mechanism is disposed between the first mining segment 11091 and the second mining segment 11092, and another extension drive mechanism is disposed between the second mining segment 11092 and the main body of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device to achieve three-dimensional movement of the device's front end, enabling it to drive the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and/or the through-well crushing device 11 to fracture ore within the chamber or the reamed wellbore.

In the present disclosure, the chamber 3 includes an expanded chamber and a gallery. The average cross-sectional area of the gallery is at least five times the average cross-sectional area of the auxiliary process wells 2, and the maximum cross-section of the chamber is three times or more the average cross-sectional area of the auxiliary process wells 2. It should be understood that the chamber may also be formed by the merging of multiple auxiliary process wells 2 after the collapse of their borehole walls. In practical operations, the greater the expansion of the chamber 3, the higher the economic benefit, but the higher the risk of collapse. For the deep mining problem to be solved in the present application, exemplarily, the wellbore diameter of the auxiliary process well 2 is 0.2 m to 1 m, the average effective diameter of the gallery formed by reaming is 0.4 m to 8 m, and the average effective diameter of the expanded chamber (with a length-to-diameter ratio of less than 10) is 1 m to 20 m.

In this embodiment, the through-well crushing device 11 may be mounted on the through-well in-situ expansion operation device 14 and move along with it into the chamber 3 to re-crush the ore within the chamber 3. Alternatively, the through-well crushing device 11 may be installed on a separate through-well in-situ expansion operation device 14 and reach the bottom of the chamber 3 via other process wells connected to the chamber 3, directly crushing the large ore blocks at the bottom of the chamber 3.

In another optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 27, 28, and 29, the front end of the through-well crushing device 11 may be connected to the three-dimensional extension section 801 of the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8. The three-dimensional extension section 801 includes multiple short-section housings articulated sequentially. A drive shaft 1115 extends through the interior of the short-section housings. The drive shaft 1115 is connected to the short-section housings via bearings and is driven by the power mechanism 1102 to propel the through-well crushing device 11 and the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 to move synchronously within the wellbore.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 27, 28, and 29, the front end of the drive shaft 1115 is connected to the tunneling mechanism 803 of the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8, and the middle portion of the drive shaft 1115 is connected to the crushing mechanism 1101 of the through-well crushing device 11 for power transmission. The specific connection can be as follows: the ring gear 1118 is fixedly connected to the crushing mechanism 1101, the sun gear 1116 is sleeved outside the drive shaft 1115 and fixedly connected to it, and the ring gear 1118 encircles the outer circumference of the sun gear 1116. Multiple planetary gears 1117 are circumferentially arranged between the ring gear 1118 and the sun gear 1116, with the teeth of the planetary gears 1117 meshing with the teeth of both the ring gear 1118 and the sun gear 1116. The planetary gears 1117 serve as intermediate transmission components to transfer power from the sun gear 1116 to the ring gear 1118. During operation, the three-dimensional extension section 801 is first used to drill the auxiliary process wells 2, and then the tunneling mechanism 803 is driven by the extension driving mechanism 805 to excavate the chamber 3. The excavation can be performed using a retreating method, in which the three-dimensional extension section 801 is gradually retracted while excavating the chamber 3. In this embodiment, the travel mechanism can be the drill string 13, which drives the through-well in-situ expansion operation device 14 to move along the wellbore or to balance torque during operation.

In one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device can cooperate with various operation assemblies. The various operation assemblies include a fracturing assembly, and/or a drilling assembly, and/or a through-well crushing device assembly, and/or a clearing assembly.

The fracturing assembly includes a hydrostatic fracturing assembly, a blasting fracturing assembly, a jet fracturing assembly, or an electric fracturing assembly.

The through-well crushing device assembly includes a jaw crushing assembly, an impact crushing assembly, a cutting crushing assembly, or a jet crusher.

The clearing assembly is configured for moving, collecting, scooping, or grabbing ore.

In actual mining operations, the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device enters the wellbore system and carries the aforementioned various operation assemblies to a predetermined position within the wellbore, thereby performing fracturing, drilling, crushing, or clearing of blockages.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, when the through-well crushing device 11 is arranged in the main process well 1, it is positioned near the junction of the auxiliary process well 2 and the main process well 1. Since the auxiliary process well 2 extends upward or obliquely upward from the main process well 1 (i.e., the auxiliary process well 2 extends vertically or obliquely upward), the ore in the auxiliary process well 2 slides by gravity onto the through-well crushing device 11. The through-well crushing device 11 then centrally crushes the ore extracted from the auxiliary process well 2.

In another optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the through-well crushing device 11 is arranged in the auxiliary process well 2, the through-well crushing device 11 includes a power assembly 1106 and a crushing assembly 1107. The power assembly 1106 is in transmission connection with the crushing assembly 1107, and the crushing assembly 1107 is located at the front end of the power assembly 1106. A guiding assembly is coaxially connected with the crushing assembly 1107, and the power assembly 1106 provides rock-crushing power to the crushing assembly 1107. The through-well crushing device 11 further includes a guiding assembly 1108, which may be a guide platform positioned at the junction of the main process well 1 and the auxiliary process well 2. The guiding surface of the guide platform is inclined from the main process well 1 toward the auxiliary process well 2, so as to guide the power assembly 1106 and the crushing assembly 1107 along the inclined surface into the auxiliary process well 2. Furthermore, the guiding assembly 1108 can guide the crushing assembly 1107 to advance along the auxiliary process well 2 either in the forward or reverse direction, thereby crushing or fracturing the ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2 and forming a controllable chamber 3 and/or gallery.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, a controllable enlargement and crushing system is arranged in the auxiliary process well 2. The controllable enlargement and crushing system crushes or fractures ore according to the controllable trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2, thereby forming a controllable chamber 3. The controllable enlargement and crushing system include the aforementioned three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8. It should be specially noted that the reason a controllable chamber 3 can be formed in the present disclosure is that the auxiliary process well 2 is a controllable trajectory well. During construction, the trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2 is used to precisely control the range of ore fracturing, thereby forming a controllable chamber 3. The ore that collapses during the operation of the enlargement and crushing system is crushed by the through-well crushing device 11 and then transported by a granular-flow lifting device and/or a mechanical lifting device.

Further, the crushing assembly includes a cutting crushing assembly, an impact crushing assembly, a jaw crushing assembly, a roll grinding crushing assembly, a rotary crushing assembly, or a counterattack crushing assembly. In the present disclosure, the through-well crushing device crushes the ore to an average equivalent diameter smaller than half of the diameter of the return channel (which at least includes the ore discharge well 4), ensuring that the crushed ore can be smoothly discharged. The aforementioned cutting crushing assembly, impact crushing assembly, jaw crushing assembly, roll grinding crushing assembly, rotary crushing assembly, and counterattack crushing assembly only define the manner of ore crushing. Any of these assemblies may use existing devices, and the specific structures of these assemblies are not limited in the present disclosure.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes a through-well crushing device, which includes a jaw crushing assembly, an impact crushing assembly, a grinding crushing assembly, an electric crushing assembly, a jet crusher, or a high-frequency impact crushing assembly. For the high-frequency impact crushing assembly, particularly high-frequency impact crushing device operating in the acoustic frequency range of 20-500 Hz, it can significantly reduce the amplitude of each individual impact under the condition of the same output energy.

This minimizes the reaction force on the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, allowing it to operate more stably without rolling or backward movement.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 15, the main process well 1 further includes a lifting well 101 and an injection well 102. The through-well crushing device 11 is located at the bottom of the lifting well 101. Crushed ore is transported to the inlet of the through-well crushing device 11 via hydraulic circulation or mechanical transporting. After crushing, the ore is transported from the lifting well 101 to outside the wellhead. A delivery pump 6 is provided outside the wellhead, and is in communication with the injection well 102. The delivery pump 6 pumps the ore-laden fluid into the injection well 102 to achieve granular-flow mining. The lifting well has a length greater than 100 m, and its vertical height exceeds 100 m.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the injection well 102 and the lifting well 101 form a dual-casing structure, i.e., the injection well 102 is annularly arranged around the outer periphery of the lifting well 101. The inner channel of the lifting well 101 serves as a lifting channel for transporting ore-laden fluid and ore, while the annular space between the injection well 102 and the lifting well 101 forms an injection channel for pumping ore-laden fluid.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 15, the wellbore controllable chambering granular-flow mining system further includes an extension auxiliary well section 201 and a crushing-expanding auxiliary well section 202. The extension auxiliary well section 201 is located at the bottom of multiple auxiliary process wells 2 and is in communication with the main process well 1. The extension auxiliary well section 201 provides an operational space for the wellbore mining device used by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and an initial space for falling rocks. The diameter of the extension auxiliary well section 201 is 20% to 400% of the diameter of the main process well 1 to accommodate the movement of mining device and to allow the ore broken and fallen from the auxiliary process wells 2 to drop to this location and be transported to the wellhead. The crushing-expanding auxiliary well section 202 extends radially from the main process well 1 as a branch well or a segment of a branch well, thereby accommodating more ore falling from the auxiliary process wells 2 and enhancing the capacity of the extension auxiliary well section 201.

In the present embodiment, the extension auxiliary well section 201 is a borehole with an enlarged diameter formed by reaming or mechanically creating a larger opening based on the auxiliary process well 2. This allows the fracture network within the broken rock to have wider fissures, which facilitates the retention of broken particles in the fractures to support fracture formation. The filling of broken material in the crushing-expanding space also promotes the formation of preferential flow channels. The crushing-expanding space alters the stress field, favoring the generation of shear fractures, resulting in complex fracture morphologies with self-supporting effects. It reduces local stress concentration and decreases rock strength, thus facilitating fragmentation. Due to its enlarged diameter, the extension auxiliary well section 201 also prevents the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or the through-well crushing device 11 from getting stuck in the borehole.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 16, the through-well crushing device llis disposed within the main process well 1, and a traveling device 12 is connected to the rear side of the through-well crushing device 11. The traveling device 12 is configured to drive the through-well crushing device 11 to move along the axial direction of the wellbore. The traveling device 12 includes a traction slideway 1201 arranged along the extension direction of the main process well 1. A sliding groove is formed on the top of the traction slideway 1201 along the same extension direction. A sliding block is provided at the bottom of the fracturing device deployment assembly 1202, and the fracturing device deployment assembly 1202 is slidably embedded into the sliding groove at the top of the traction slideway 1201 via the sliding block. A vertically extendable telescopic rod 1203 is provided at the top of the fracturing device deployment assembly 1202, and a fixing component 1204 is connected to the top of the telescopic rod 1203. The through-well crushing device 11 is delivered into the auxiliary process well 2 through the fracturing device deployment assembly 1202, which can slide forward along the traction slideway 1201. When the through-well crushing device 11 moves to a predetermined position inside the wellbore, the telescopic rod 1203 of the fracturing device deployment assembly 1202 extends such that the fixing component 1204 at its upper end presses tightly against the inner wall of the wellbore, thereby enabling the through-well crushing device 11 to be moved and fixed within the wellbore. The fixing component 1204 may be, but is not limited to, a fixing structure such as an anchor or claw capable of achieving secure connection with the wellbore wall, and the specific structure of the fixing component 1204 is not limited herein.

Further, the traveling device 12 further includes a traction mechanism and/or a crawling mechanism connected to the through-well crushing device 11. The crawling mechanism may autonomously travel along the traction slideway disposed within the main process well lor autonomously travel along the wellbore wall of the main process well 1. The traction mechanism may travel by being pulled along the traction slideway arranged inside the main process well 1, or travel by being pulled together with a tubing string disposed in the main process well 1. The traction mechanism and/or crawling mechanism provide the driving force for the movement of the traveling device 12. The traction mechanism or the crawling mechanism may include, but is not limited to, existing traction robots or crawling robots capable of controlled movement within the wellbore. The specific structures of the traction mechanism and the crawling mechanism are not limited herein.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes a wellbore clearing device. The wellbore clearing device is arranged near the connection between the chamber 3 and the main process well 1, or within the chamber 3, or in the wellbore section connecting the chamber 3 and the main process well 1. The wellbore clearing device can move along the main process well 1 to a predetermined position, and is used to clear accumulated ore in the main process well 1, ensuring the normal travel of each mining device and the output of ore.

Specifically, the wellbore clearing device includes a clearing operation arm, which can be used to relieve or crush obstructing ore. The clearing operation arm may be a conventional robotic arm, which cooperates with drilling tools to crush obstructing ore, thereby achieving the purpose of relieving ore congestion.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 36, the ore discharge well has an inclination angle of less than 45° (according to the definition of well inclination in the oil and gas field, a vertical well is defined as having an inclination of 0°; to facilitate lowering and retrieving device, the ore discharge well should not be too steep). The through-well crushing device) 11 is a vertical-axis crushing device, and the axis of its crushing assembly is parallel to the wellbore axis of the ore discharge well. The intersection of the ore discharge well with the main process well 1 or auxiliary process well 2 is located above the through-well crushing device 11, with the main process well 1 or auxiliary process well 2 in communication with the ore discharge well. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes a through-well ore removal device. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device can carry the through-well ore removal device into the process well system, positioning itself near the mining and rock-crushing position to clear and transfer the ore fractured by the targeted primary fracturing device to the ore discharge well. The through-well crushing device 11 is arranged in the ore discharge well and is used to re-crush the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or the fallen ore.

Notably, the intersection of the ore discharge well with the main process well lor auxiliary process well 2 is located above the through-well crushing device 11.

In the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system of the present disclosure, at least two main process wells 1 are formed during construction. At least one of the main process wells 1 is used for lowering rock-crushing, rock-fracturing devices, or drilling device and directional drilling drill strings required for auxiliary process wells 2. At least one other main process well 1 serves as a transporting channel for transporting the crushed ore from underground to the surface. The transporting channel may be the wellbore itself or a pipeline arranged within the wellbore. The purpose of providing multiple auxiliary process wells 2 is to improve mining efficiency. Fixed spacing is maintained between adjacent auxiliary process wells 2 (i.e., evenly spaced distribution), allowing efficient and uniform rapid ore extraction. The mined ore is crushed by the through-well crushing device 11 in the main process well 1 and then transported to the surface.

The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system provided in the present disclosure is constructed on-site mainly through the following process steps:

    • 1. lowering directional drilling tools to drill and form the main process well 1 (determining the vertical depth and horizontal displacement of the main process well 1);
    • 2. lowering directional drill string and the directional drilling tools to drill obliquely upward along the horizontal displacement of the main process well 1 at a predetermined location, to form a controllable-trajectory auxiliary process well 2;
    • 3. delivering the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 into the auxiliary process well 2 via the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device;
    • 4. lowering the through-well crushing device 11 to the bottom of the main process well 1 or near the intersection of the main process well 1 and the auxiliary process well 2;
    • 5. activating the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 to form a chamber 3 within the auxiliary process well 2;
    • 6. activating the through-well crushing device 11 to further crush the ore that has slid down from the auxiliary process well 2 to a predetermined size;
    • 7. transporting the ore to the wellhead using a granular-flow lifting device and/or mechanical lifting device.

In the above process, the directional drilling tools and the directional drill string can be those of existing technology, and their specific structures are not further described herein.

The features and advantages of the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system provided in the present disclosure are as follows:

This system, by coordinating the main process well 1 with the auxiliary process well 2, enables a larger-range extraction of ore deposits within the formation. Through the cooperation of the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device and the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, precise spatial positioning of ore fracturing can be achieved. Subsequently, the through-well crushing device 11 reduces the ore to a size suitable for wellbore transport, and the ore is then transported to outside the wellhead via the wellbore ore-lifting system.

Embodiment 2 As shown in FIGS. 30 to 37, the present disclosure provides a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, which includes a process well system, a three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing device 8, a through-well ore removal device, and a through-well crushing device 11.

The process well system has a vertical depth and a horizontal displacement. The process well system includes a main process well 1 and multiple auxiliary process wells 2. The auxiliary process wells 2 are in communication with the main process well 1. The main process well 1 has an inner diameter less than 1 meter, and a length greater than 100 meters. The vertical depth is greater than 100 meters.

The process well system includes at least three wells, including the main process well 1 and multiple auxiliary process wells 2 for primary rock crushing, the main process well 1 for ore-lifting, and an ore discharge well intersecting with the main process well 1 or auxiliary The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is arranged in the auxiliary process well 2. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is configured to crush or fracture ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2 to form a controllable chamber 3.

The through-well ore removal device can enter the main process well 1 used for ore-lifting. Near the mining and rock-crushing site, the through-well ore removal device clears and transfers ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 to the ore discharge well. The main process well 1 for ore-lifting is a horizontal well.

The through-well crushing device 11 is arranged in the ore discharge well. The through-well crushing device 11 is configured to re-crush the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or the fallen ore.

The chamber 3 and the process well system contain fluid, which is used to support the surrounding rock and can form a granular flow for carrying ore. The chamber 3 is connected to the wellhead of the main process well 1, allowing the fractured ore in the chamber 3 to be discharged out of the wellbore through the granular flow.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the ore discharge well has a well inclination of less than 45°; the through-well crushing device 11 is a vertical-axis crushing device, with the axis of its crushing assembly parallel to the wellbore axis of the ore discharge well; the intersection of the ore discharge well with the main process well 1 or the auxiliary process well 2 is located above the through-well crushing device 11.

It should be noted that the optional embodiments described in Embodiment 1 are also applicable to the technical solutions of Embodiment 2.

In an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process well 2 include an inclined horizontal well section, and the ore discharge well is connected to the end of the horizontal section with the greater vertical depth. This arrangement facilitates the flow of crushed ore particles into the ore discharge well. The horizontal well has a certain inclination, with one end at a greater vertical depth and the other end at a smaller vertical depth, and the ore discharge well is connected to the end with the greater vertical depth, so that ore particles can easily roll into the ore discharge well.

Exemplarily, the through-well crushing device 11 is a roller grinding crushing device. After the tool is lowered into the ore discharge well 4, it communicates with the main process well 1 and the chamber 3. Ore discharged from the main process well 1 is guided via a conical inclined surface onto the roller grinding crushing device's grinding plate. The conical inclined surface facilitates the feeding of ore carried within the main process well. The ore is further crushed by the roller grinding crushing device to form a slurry, which can then be efficiently and continuously lifted to the wellhead by the delivery pump 6.

The roller grinding crushing device at least includes a motor, a speed-reduction mechanism, a lower grinding disc, and a plurality of wheel-shaped grinding rollers. The motor provides rotational power for the roller grinding crushing assembly, and the rotational power is transmitted to the lower grinding disc through the speed-reduction mechanism to drive the disc to rotate. When the lower grinding disc rotates, it drives the grinding rollers above it to rotate, thereby achieving secondary crushing of the ore.

When a cone-crushing device is used, the ore continues to flow downward after passing through the cone crusher and is then pressurized by the delivery pump 6 into another ore discharge well 4 to be discharged to the surface.

It should be noted that, as mining progresses, backfill materials are delivered through the wellbore to fill the mined-out voids. The through-well filling system consists, in sequence from front to back, of a flexible tubing string and a service tubing string. The flexible tubing string enters the auxiliary process well 2, while the service tubing string moves along the main process well 1 to push the flexible tubing string into the auxiliary process well 2 and advance it to the filling location. Both the flexible tubing string and the service tubing string have internal through-flow channels that are interconnected and used to deliver backfill materials into the chamber 3.

The advantage of this configuration is that the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process well 2 include an upward-inclined horizontal section, and the ore discharge well is connected to the end of this section with the greater vertical depth. The height difference created by the inclination allows the crushed ore to slide into the ore discharge well under gravity, thereby improving ore-cleaning efficiency.

In this embodiment, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system is used to implement the following method:

S1: performing drilling operations to drill a process well system, which includes a main process well 1 and multiple auxiliary process wells 2, with the auxiliary process wells 2 communicating with the main process well 1. The main process well 1 is a wellbore with an inner diameter less than 1 meter, a length greater than 100 meters. The vertical depth is greater than 100 meters, and the horizontal displacement is greater than 50 meters.

S2: placing the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 into the auxiliary process well 2, so that the device 8 crushes or fractures ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2, thereby forming a chamber 3 with a controllable geometry.

S3: placing the through-well crushing device 11 into the main process well 1, the auxiliary process well 2, and/or the chamber 3, so that the through-well crushing device 11 re-crushes the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or the fallen ore.

S4: during the operation of Step S3, activating an injection pump, circulation pump, or back-pressure pump to inject fluid into the main process well 1, so that the injected fluid forms a granular flow that carries the crushed ore from the chamber 3 and transports it out of the wellhead of the main process well 1.

Embodiment 3

The present disclosure provides a wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, which includes a process well system having a vertical depth and a horizontal displacement, a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8, a through-well ore removal device 15, and a main crushing device.

The process well system includes at least two process wells, specifically including a main process well 1 for transporting ore in the horizontal direction, and an ore discharge well 4 for lifting ore in the vertical direction. The inner diameter of the main process well 1 is less than 1 meter, and its well depth is greater than 200 meters. The vertical depth of the main process well 1 is greater than 100 meters, and its horizontal displacement is greater than 50 meters. It should be noted that the term “well depth” may be understood as the extended length of the wellbore, whereas “vertical depth” refers to the height of the well in the vertical direction. When the present disclosure is applied offshore, the vertical depth is calculated downward from the sea surface; that is, the vertical depth refers to the vertical distance from the sea surface to the bottom of the well along a direction perpendicular to the sea surface. The inner diameter of the ore discharge well is less than 2 meters, and its well depth is greater than 100 meters.

The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is capable of moving along the main process well 1 and entering the formation to crush or fracture the ore, thereby forming a chamber 3.

The through-well ore removal device 15 is configured to move along the main process well 1 to transport ore, so as to clear and transfer the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 along the main process well 1 to the ore discharge well 4.

The main crushing device 16 is disposed inside the ore discharge well 4, and is used to further crush the ore that has been transported through the main process well 1 into the ore discharge well 4.

In this embodiment, the through-well ore removal device 15, when moving along the main process well 1 to transport ore, also includes transporting ore from the auxiliary process wells 2 or from the chambers associated with the main process well 1, and subsequently transferring the ore through the main process well 1 into the ore discharge well 4.

As shown in FIGS. 30 to 36, the inclination angle of the ore discharge well is less than 45° (according to the definition of well deviation in the oil and gas field, a vertical well has a deviation angle of 0°, and the inclination of the ore discharge well should not be excessively large to facilitate the running-in and retrieval of device). The main crushing device 16 includes a vertical-axis crushing device 1601 and a vertical-axis power motor 1602, and the axis of its crushing assembly is parallel to the axis of the ore discharge well. The intersection between the ore discharge well and the main process well 1 or the auxiliary process well 2 is located above the through-well crushing device 11, and the main process well 1 or auxiliary process well 2 is in communication with the ore discharge well. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes a through-well ore removal device. The wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device can enter the process well system and carry the through-well ore removal device into the process well system, so that crushed ore produced by the targeted primary crushing device is collected near the rock-crushing location and transferred into the ore discharge well. The through-well crushing device 11 is disposed in the ore discharge well and is used for re-crushing the ore crushed or dislodged by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8.

The chamber 3 and the process well system contain a fluid, which supports the surrounding rock and can form a granular flow to transport ore. The chamber 3 communicates with the wellhead of the main process well 1, allowing the crushed ore in the chamber 3 to be discharged to outside the wellhead via the granular flow.

In this embodiment, the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is the same as the corresponding three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 in Embodiment 1, and thus is not described in detail here. In this embodiment, both the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 and the through-well ore removal device 15 are capable of moving along the main process well 1. They can be driven by a drill string, coiled tubing, a crawler, or other crawling devices, and also include movement within the chamber 3 under the drive of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device.

In certain specific embodiments, the process well system includes at least three process wells, specifically including a main process well 1 for primary crushing, a main process well 1 for ore-lifting, and an ore discharge well 4 that intersects with the main process well 1. Both the main process well 1 for ore-lifting and the main process well 1 for primary crushing are horizontal wells. According to the general definition of horizontal wells in the field of petroleum engineering, a horizontal well section in the present disclosure refers to a well section with a wellbore inclination angle greater than 60°, a fully horizontal well corresponds to an inclination angle of 90°, and a well section with an upward bend has an inclination angle exceeding 90°.

In certain specific embodiments, the process well system further includes auxiliary process wells 2 that are in communication with the main process well 1. The three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 is configured to crush or fracture ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well 2 to form a controllable chamber 3. The auxiliary process well 2 is a branch well drilled laterally from the borehole wall of the main process well 1, i.e., the main process well 1 is a multi-branch well.

In certain specific embodiments, the process well system includes at least two main process wells 1 that intersect and communicate with the ore discharge well 4.

In certain specific embodiments, the through-well ore removal device 15 includes a hydraulic transporting assembly and/or a mechanical transporting assembly. The hydraulic transporting assembly is a hydraulic jet clearing mechanism 1503, while the mechanical transporting assembly is a screw clearing mechanism 1502, a stirring mechanism 1504, or a raking mechanism 1501.

When using the hydraulic jet clearing mechanism 1503, the through-well ore removal device 15 includes a water-transporting tubing string, which may be a drilling string, a coiled tubing, a flexible tubing, or a composite pipe. The hydraulic jet cleaning mechanisms 1503 are evenly spaced along the tubing string.

In certain specific embodiments, the wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system further includes a through-well crushing device 11. The through-well crushing device 11 is capable of moving along the main process well 1 used for ore-lifting to re-crush the ore broken by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device 8 or the fallen ore.

The through-well crushing device 11 in this embodiment is the same as the corresponding through-well crushing device 11 in Embodiment 1, and is therefore not described in detail herein. The through-well crushing device 11 in this embodiment is capable of moving along the main process well 1 and can also move within the main process well 1 and its auxiliary process wells 2. The through-well crushing device 11 can be driven by drilling pipes, coiled tubing, crawlers, or other crawling devices, and can also move within the chamber 3 under the drive of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device.

In certain specific embodiments, the ore discharge well 4 has a well inclination of less than 45°; the main crushing device 16 is a vertical-axis crushing device 1601, with the axis of its crushing assembly parallel to the well axis of the ore discharge well 4; the intersection of the ore discharge well 4 with the main process well 1 or auxiliary process well 2 is located above the through-well crushing device 11.

In certain specific embodiments, the main process well 1 and/or the auxiliary process wells 2 include inclined horizontal well sections, and the ore discharge well 4 is connected to the end of the horizontal well section having the greater vertical depth.

The above descriptions are merely illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Any equivalent modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, comprising:

a process well system having a vertical depth and a horizontal displacement, wherein the process well system comprises a main process well and a plurality of auxiliary process wells, and the auxiliary process wells are in communication with the main process well; the main process well has an inner diameter less than 1 m and a length greater than 100 m, the vertical depth is greater than 100 m, and the horizontal displacement is greater than 50 m;
a three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device, which is disposed in the auxiliary process well, and configured to fracture or crush ore along an extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well to form a chamber with a controllable geometry;
a through-well crushing device, which is disposed in the main process well, the auxiliary process well, or the chamber, and configured to re-crush the ore fragmented or by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device or the fallen ore;
a wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, which is configured to enter the process well system and carry the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device and/or the through-well crushing device, and configured to transport the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device through the process well system to a rock-crushing location and/or to transport the through-well crushing device to a rock-crushing location;
wherein a fluid is present in the chamber and the process well system to support surrounding rock and form a granular flow for carrying ore, and the chamber is in communication with a wellhead of the process well system, such that the granular flow transports the crushed ore from the chamber to outside of the wellhead of the process well system.

2. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary process wells further comprise a first-level auxiliary process well and a second-level auxiliary process well, the first-level auxiliary process well being obtained by sidetracking from a borehole wall of the main process well, and the second-level auxiliary process well being obtained by sidetracking from a borehole wall of the first-level auxiliary process well;

the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is disposed in the first-level auxiliary process well and/or the second-level auxiliary process well to perform volumetric crushing of a rock mass.

3. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary process well is drilled and formed by a controllable-trajectory ultra-short-radius steering drilling tool, a radial drilling tool, a coiled-tubing directional drilling tool, or the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device;

the auxiliary process well comprises a build-up section having a curvature radius of less than 30 m;
the auxiliary process well further comprises an extension section, and an angle between a central axis of the extension section and a central axis of the main process well is between 20° and 90°.

4. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises two channels, one of which is a transporting channel for transporting the through-well crushing device, and the other of which is the main process well or the auxiliary process well used for primary crushing and is configured to transport the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device;

the two channels are communicated with each other through the chamber.

5. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a wellbore ore-lifting device, wherein the wellbore ore-lifting device is configured to transport mined ore to the outside of the wellhead through the main process well and/or the auxiliary process well; or the process well system further comprises an ore discharge well in communication with the chamber, the main process well and/or the auxiliary process well, and the wellbore ore-lifting device is configured to transport the mined ore to the outside of the wellhead through the ore discharge well;

the wellbore ore-lifting device comprises granular-flow lifting device and/or mechanical lifting device.

6. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the process well system comprises at least two main process wells, including a first main process well for transporting the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device, and a second main process well for transporting the through-well crushing device; wherein the first main process well and the second main process well are directly interconnected, interconnected through the auxiliary process well, and/or interconnected through the chamber;

the vertical depth at the intersection of the second main process well, its auxiliary process wells, or its expanded chambers is greater than or equal to the vertical depth at the intersection of the first main process well, its auxiliary process wells, or its expanded chambers.

7. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 5, wherein the system further comprises an ore discharge well, in which a backflow channel is provided, and the ore discharge well has an average inner diameter of less than 2 m;

the ore discharge well is in communication with the main process well and/or the auxiliary process wells, and the inner diameter of the main process well and/or the auxiliary process wells is less than 1 m.

8. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the main process well comprises at least two wellheads, which are in communication via the main process well or the auxiliary process wells, wherein at least one of the wellheads is used for transporting the through-well crushing device, and at least another of the wellheads is used for ore discharge.

9. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:

an extension auxiliary well section, which is in communication with the main process well, and configured to provide an operational space for wellbore mining operation equipment of the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device and an initial drop space for fallen ore, wherein a diameter of the extension auxiliary well section is 20% to 400% of the diameter of the main process well;
a crushing-expansion auxiliary well section, which is a branch well radially extending from the main process well or a section of the branch well.

10. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device comprises a primary crushing assembly; the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device comprises a three-dimensional extension section configured to drive the primary crushing assembly to move; and

the three-dimensional extension section comprises a traveling mechanism configured to drive the three-dimensional extension section to travel in the wellbore system, or comprises a traveling device configured to drive the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device to travel in the wellbore system.

11. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device comprises a flexible crawler or a flexible tubing string, and the flexible crawler or the flexible tubing string is provided with an operation unit configured to enter the auxiliary process well along with the flexible crawler or the flexible tubing string to fracture or crush the ore;

in a case where the operation unit enters the auxiliary process well along with the flexible crawler, the flexible crawler comprises an operation segment and a flexible crawling segment, the flexible crawling segment comprises a series of short sections articulated with each other, the series of short sections are provided with a support part and a telescopic part, and the support part comprises a support arm, a support block, or an expandable bladder;
in a case where the operation unit enters the auxiliary process well along with the flexible tubing string, the flexible tubing string is made of high-plasticity, high-elasticity metal or composite metal material, or the flexible tubing string is formed by a series of multiple short sections articulated in sequence.

12. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device comprises a tunneling mechanism rotatable under the drive of a downhole power assembly or a drill string, and an expansion drive mechanism configured to drive the tunneling mechanism to perform opening and retraction motion, wherein the tunneling mechanism, when driven by the expansion drive mechanism, performs the opening and retraction motion by moving toward or away from an axis of the tunneling mechanism; or

the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device comprises an reaming and tunneling mechanism, which comprises a primary crushing device body rotatable under the drive of a downhole motor or drill string, at least two blade wings pivotally connected to the primary crushing device body, and an expansion drive mechanism configured to open and retract the blade wings, wherein one end of each of the blade wings is connected to a drill bit body, and the other end of each of the blade wings moves toward or away from a rotational axis of the drill bit body during opening and retraction; or
when the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is a jet crusher, the jet crusher comprises a primary crushing device body and jet nozzles disposed on the primary crushing device body, wherein high-pressure jets enter a flow channel inside a three-dimensional extension segment through the drill string and then impact the surrounding rock via the jet nozzles; or
the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device comprises a rock fracturing assembly, which is a hydrostatic fracturing assembly, a mechanical fracturing assembly, an electric fracturing assembly, or a jet fracturing assembly, wherein a three-dimensional extension segment is further provided with a power cable for transmitting pressure energy or chemical energy to the rock fracturing assembly.

13. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device further comprises an auxiliary well detection assembly, which is disposed at a front end or exterior of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, or at a front end or exterior of a flexible drilling tool, or at a front end or exterior of a guiding insertion tool.

14. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 13, wherein the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device further comprises a guiding insertion tool for guiding the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device into the auxiliary process well;

the guiding insertion tool comprises an auxiliary well detection assembly and a branch well re-entry assembly, the auxiliary well detection assembly is disposed at a tip of a guide head or on an exterior of a guide tube.

15. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device comprises a through-well in-situ extension operation device;

the through-well in-situ extension operation device includes an operation body, an extendable portion, and a support portion, wherein the extendable portion and/or the support portion employs a controllable expansion structure;
the controllable expansion structure comprises extendable support legs, with an opening/retraction structure disposed between the support legs and the operation body; or the controllable expansion structure comprises a controllably inflatable and retractable bladder; or, the controllable expansion structure comprises a controllably bendable extension body;
when the controllable expansion structure is in a contracted state, it allows the through-well in-situ extension operation device to enter and travel within the auxiliary process well; when the controllable expansion structure is in an expanded state, the through-well in-situ extension operation device is capable of anchoring itself within the chamber.

16. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device comprises, at its front end, an extension arm that comprises at least two mining segments, such that a first mining segment, a second mining segment, and a main body of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device are connected sequentially from front to rear;

an extension driving mechanism is disposed between the first and second mining segments, and another extension driving mechanism is disposed between the second mining segment and the main body of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, so as to achieve three-dimensional movement of the front end of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, thereby enabling it to drive the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device and/or the through-well crushing device to crush ore within the chamber or within the reamed wellbore.

17. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 10, wherein the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device comprises a blasting fracturing device, a hydrostatic fracturing device, an electric fracturing device, a hydraulic fracturing device, a jet fracturing device, and/or a high-energy gas fracturing device;

the system further comprises a fracturing device deployment assembly, fracturing device deployment assembly which is configured to position the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device at a predetermined location;
the system further comprises a control cable arranged within the auxiliary process well and configured to connect the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device to a control station located outside the well; and/or the system further comprises a power cable arranged within the auxiliary process well and configured to connect the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device to a power source located outside the well.

18. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 10, wherein the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is an electric rock fracturing assembly, which is configured to perform volumetric crushing by means of electric pulses or electro-explosive shock; the electric rock fracturing assembly further comprises an energy-storage device, and a power-supply cable has one end electrically connected to the electric fracturing assembly and the other end electrically connected to a power source outside the wellhead;

the energy-storage device is a capacitor, the capacitor is connected in series between the power-supply cable and the reusable primary fracturing assembly, or the capacitor is connected in series at any position of the power-supply cable, or the capacitor is disposed outside the wellhead, with the power source outside the wellhead supplying power to the energy-storage capacitor.

19. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 10, wherein the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is an impact rock fracturing assembly provided with a pressure-bearing chamber or a pressure-bearing tubular column, and a controllable release valve is arranged on the pressure-bearing chamber or the pressure-bearing tubular column;

the impact rock fracturing assembly is configured to accumulate pressure energy in a space formed inside the pressure-bearing chamber or inside the pressure-bearing tubular column; and the pressure-bearing chamber or a front end of the pressure-bearing tubular column is connected to the impact rock fracturing assembly.

20. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device is a jet crusher, and the jet crusher comprises a primary crushing device body and a jet nozzle provided on the primary crushing device body, so that a high-pressure jet enters a flow passage inside the three-dimensional extension section after passing through the drill string, and subsequently impacts the surrounding rock through the jet nozzle.

21-38. (canceled)

39. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 10, wherein the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device further comprises an energetic-unit accommodating tube and a release mechanism; the primary crushing assembly comprises a plurality of energetic units, and the energetic units are movably disposed within the energetic-unit accommodating tube;

the release mechanism is mounted at a front portion of the energetic-unit accommodating tube and is configured to release the energetic units into the auxiliary process well;
wherein each energetic unit contains an energetic material and an ignition device, with the energetic material serving to achieve fracturing through detonation or deflagration.

40. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the through-well crushing device comprises a jaw crushing assembly, an impact crushing assembly, a grinding crushing assembly, an electric crushing assembly, or a jet crusher.

41. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein when the through-well crushing device is disposed in the main process well, it is positioned near the junction between the auxiliary process well and the main process well to crush ore extracted from the auxiliary process well;

the auxiliary process well extends upward or obliquely upward from the main process well, allowing ore in the auxiliary process well to slide down to the through-well crushing device.

42. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein when the through-well crushing device is disposed in the auxiliary process well, it comprises a power assembly, a crushing assembly, a guiding assembly, and a flexible drilling tool;

the power assembly is drivingly connected to the crushing assembly, and the guiding assembly is coaxially connected to the crushing assembly;
the guiding assembly is configured to guide the crushing assembly to advance forward or backward along the auxiliary process well, so as to crush or fracture ore along the extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well and form the chamber with the controllable geometry.

43. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the through-well crushing device is disposed in the main process well and comprises a crushing assembly, and a traveling device is connected to the rear of the through-well crushing device and configured to drive the through-well crushing device to travel along the wellbore axis;

the traveling device further comprises a pulling mechanism and/or a crawling mechanism connected to the through-well crushing device, wherein the crawling mechanism is configured to autonomously travel along a traction slideway arranged in the main process well or along a wellbore wall of the main process well;
the pulling mechanism is configured to be pulled along the traction slideway disposed in the main process well or be pulled along a pipe string arranged in the main process well.

44. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the through-well crushing device comprises a crushing assembly, which comprises a cutting crushing assembly, an impact crushing assembly, a jaw crushing assembly, a grinding crushing assembly, a gyratory crushing assembly, or a counterattack crushing assembly;

the through-well crushing device is configured to crush the ore so that an average equivalent diameter of the ore is reduced to less than half of a diameter of the return-discharge channel.

45. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 5, wherein the ore discharge well has a wellbore inclination of less than 45°; the through-well crushing device is a vertical-axis crushing device, and an axis of a crushing assembly of the vertical-axis crushing device is parallel to a wellbore axis of the ore discharge well; an intersection of the ore discharge well with the main process well or the auxiliary process well is located above the through-well crushing device, and the main process well or the auxiliary process well communicates with the ore discharge well;

the system further comprises a through-well ore removal device, and the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device is configured to enter the wellbore system and carry the through-well ore removal device into the wellbore system, for cleaning and transferring ore fractured by the targeted primary fracturing device near the mining site to the ore discharge well;
the through-well crushing device is disposed within the ore discharge well, and is configured to re-crush ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension targeted primary fracturing device or fallen ore;
the intersection of the ore discharge well with the main process well or auxiliary process well is located above the through-well crushing device.

46. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a wellbore clearing device, which is disposed near a junction between the chamber and the main process well, or within the chamber, or in a wellbore section connecting the chamber to the main process well;

the wellbore clearing device is configured to travel along the main process well to a predetermined position.

47. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid filled in the chamber and the wellbore system is a liquid or supercritical fluid, and the fluid has a density of 0.3 g/cm3 to 3 g/cm3.

48. A wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system, comprising:

a process well system having a vertical depth and a horizontal displacement, wherein the process well system comprises at least two process wells, including a main process well for horizontally transporting ore and a discharge well for vertically lifting ore; the main process well has an inner diameter less than 1 m and a well depth greater than 200 m, wherein the vertical depth is greater than 100 m and the horizontal displacement is greater than 50 m; the discharge well has an inner diameter less than 2 m and a well depth greater than 100 m;
a three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing device configured to travel along the main process well and enter into a formation to crush or fracture the ore to form a chamber;
a through-well ore removal device configured to travel along the main process well to transport ore, so as to transfer the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing device through the main process well into the ore discharge well;
a main crushing device disposed in the discharge well and configured to re-crush the ore transported from the main process well into the discharge well;
wherein a fluid is present in the chamber and the process well system to support surrounding rock and form a granular flow for carrying ore, and the chamber is in communication with a wellhead of the process well system, such that the granular flow transports the crushed ore from the chamber to outside of the wellhead.

49. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, wherein the process well system comprises at least three process wells, including a main process well for primary crushing, a main process well for ore transport, and an ore discharge well intersecting the main process well;

wherein both the main process well for ore-lifting and the main process well for primary crushing are horizontal wells.

50. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, wherein the process well system further comprises an auxiliary process well in communication with the main process well, and the three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing device is configured to fracture or crush ore along an extension trajectory of the auxiliary process well to form a chamber of controllable geometry.

51. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, wherein the process well system comprises at least two main process wells that intersect and communicate with the ore discharge well.

52. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, wherein the through-well ore removal device comprises a hydraulic clearing assembly and/or a mechanical clearing assembly;

the hydraulic clearing assembly is a hydraulic jet clearing mechanism; and
the mechanical clearing assembly is a screw clearing mechanism, a stirring mechanism, or an ore raking mechanism.

53. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, further comprising a through-well crushing device which is configured to travel along the main process well used for ore transport so as to re-crush the ore fractured by the three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing device or the fallen ore.

54. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, wherein the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device comprises, at its front end, at least two mining segments, such that a first mining segment, a second mining segment, and a main body of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device are connected sequentially from front to rear;

wherein an extension driving mechanism is disposed between the first and second mining segments, and another extension driving mechanism is disposed between the second mining segment and the main body of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, so as to achieve three-dimensional movement of the front end of the wellbore in-situ mining auxiliary device, thereby enabling it to drive the three-dimensional extension point-fixed primary fracturing device and/or the through-well ore removal device to crush ore within the chamber or the reamed wellbore.

55. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, wherein the ore discharge well has a wellbore inclination of less than 45°;

the main crushing device is a vertical-axis crushing device, and an axis of a crushing assembly of the vertical-axis crushing device is parallel to a wellbore axis of the ore discharge well; and
an intersection of the ore discharge well with the main process well or the auxiliary process well is located above the through-well ore crushing device.

56. The wellbore controllable chamber-forming granular-flow mining system according to claim 48, wherein the main process well and/or the auxiliary process well comprises an inclined horizontal well section, and the ore discharge well is connected to an end of the horizontal well section with a greater vertical depth.

Patent History
Publication number: 20260226817
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 7, 2025
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2026
Inventor: Zichen XU (Hong Kong)
Application Number: 19/382,675
Classifications
International Classification: E21B 43/29 (20060101); E21B 7/04 (20060101); E21B 7/28 (20060101); E21B 10/32 (20060101); E21C 35/08 (20060101); E21C 37/18 (20060101); E21C 41/22 (20060101); E21F 13/00 (20060101); E21F 13/04 (20060101);