Piping systems for the recovery of metals and related methods of use

Abstract

A system for recovery / extraction of a target material from a collection of materials over a collection section through a leaching process includes a pump system and one or more pipe assemblies and / or portions positioned substantially horizontal, and / or at other angles to horizontal, in the collection of materials over the collection section. At least one pipe assembly or portion of the one or more pipe assemblies includes an outer pipe, an inner pipe having one or more first perforated sections, and one or more second perforated sections in the outer pipe positioned such that solution pumped through the one or more first perforated sections of the inner pipe is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections into the collection of materials over the collection section.

Description

PIPING SYSTEMS FOR THE RECOVERY OF METALS AND RELATED METHODS OF USECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a U. S. Non-Provisional Patent Application which claims priority to and the benefit of Applicant’s U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 748,304 filed January 22, 2025, and entitled PIPING SYSTEMS FOR THE RECOVERY OF METALS AND RELATED METHODS OF USE, which prior application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. It is to be understood, however, that in the event of any inconsistency between this specification and any information incorporated by reference in this specification, this specification shall govern.FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application generally relates to solution application systems for treatment of heaps of materials for the extraction of metals or other chemicals, for stability of the heap, and / or changes to the chemical condition of the heap.BACKGROUND OF SOME ASPECTS OF THIS SPECIFICATION

[0003] A common technique for extracting metal from ores and other mineral material is to heap leach the material. An engineered pile of fragmented, un-consolidated rock, or heap, of particulate material is constructed, typically over an engineered liner and liquid collection system. In the current, conventional system, a leach solution is from the surface applied to and percolated through the heap to contact the material and dissolve one or more metal of interest into the leach solution. Sprinklers are occasionally used for irrigation of the heap, but drip irrigation is more commonly used to minimize evaporation and more uniformly distribute the leaching solution. The solution, called a barren solution in some applications, and raffmate in others, henceforth “barren solution” containing metal dissolving lixiviants, percolates through the heap and leaches the target mineral or substance as well as other materials. This process, called the “leach cycle,” can take between a couple of days to months or years depending on the material being leached.

[0004] Theoretically, the barren solution is supposed to travel vertically through the heap in a fairly uniform manner from the starting point of each drip point. In reality, however, within a relatively short period of time, a path of least resistance will be formed in the heap starting ateach drip point that is based on the formation or placement of the material underneath the drip point. Each path of least resistance is unlikely to be vertical and as a result, large sections of the heap may receive no barren solution after a period of time, resulting in reduced little or no leaching of the target material. In addition, the leach solution may not uniformly contact all portions of the heap because of permeability variations that exist within the heap. Such permeability variations may result in preferential flow of leach solution through higher permeability portions of the heap, leaving lower permeability' portions under-leached or unleached Also, the chemical properties in some portions of the heap may be less conducive to dissolution of the metal into the leach solution. For example, when heap leaching gold with a cyanide leach solution under alkaline conditions, low pH spots within the heap may not respond well to the alkaline leach solution, leaving those portions under-leached or un-leached. Metals remaining in under-leached and un-leached portions of a heap following heap leach operations often represent a significant loss to a mining operation. Additionally, with migration of fines and other physical changes to the heap, such as compaction under weight of material above or changes to the characteristic of the materials (such as wetted clays), there often forms barriers within the heap trapping solutions within.

[0005] A collection system collects the resulting pregnant leach solution drained from the liner, which is then processed to recover the dissolved metal. Once the target material has been removed from the pregnant solution, the once again barren solution, with additional lixiviants added, can then be reused in the heap leach process or treated further to remove certain toxic chemicals.

[0006] As noted, a common problem with heap leaching is the non-uniform leaching of metals from the heap. Even after extensive leaching over time, some portions of the heap may remain under-leached or even substantially un-leached. U.S. Pat. No. 8,021,461 describes a method for addressing non-uniform leaching in a heap that involves geophysically surveying the heap to identify portions of the heap that require further extraction, hydraulically fracturing the identified portions, and then treating the identified portions.SUMMARY OF SOME ASPECTS OF THIS SPECIFICATION

[0007] Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for recovery of a target material from a collection of materials over a collection pad through a leaching process. In an embodiment, a system includes a pump system and one or more pipe assemblies positioned, in some embodiment, substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection pad. In some embodiments, one or more pipe assemblies, or one or more portions of them, are at one or more differing angles to horizontal, such as anywhere from over 0 degrees to 80 degrees from horizontal. In addition, however, one or more of a subset of the pipe assemblies or portions of them may be from over 80 to 90 degrees from horizontal.

[0008] Is some embodiments, at least one pipe assembly of, and up to all of, the one or more pipe assemblies includes an outer pipe, an inner pipe having one or more first perforated sections, and one or more second perforated sections in the outer pipe positioned such that solution pumped through the one or more first perforated sections of the inner pipe is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe into the collection of materials over the collection pad.

[0009] In some embodiments, a method of recovering a target material from a collection of materials over a collection pad through a leaching process is disclosed. The method includes positioning one or more pipe assemblies or portions of pipe assemblies substantially horizontal, or at an angle to horizontal as described above, in the collection of materials over the collection pad. One or up to all of the one or more pipe assemblies, or portions thereof, includes an outer pipe, an inner pipe having one or more first perforated sections, and one or more second perforated sections in the outer pipe. The method also includes pumping solution from a pump system through the one or more first perforated sections of the inner pipe such that the solution is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe into the collection of materials. The method also includes pumping the solution from a pump system through one or more perforated sections of the outer pipe alone.

[0010] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation.

[0011] There are other features and advantages of the present specification. They will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed descnption and the accompanying drawings. In addition, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims as issued and not by whether the subject matter necessily includes a feature identified in this Summary or addresses an issue identified in the Background section.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a horizontal piping system for the extraction of metals or other chemicals, for stability of the heap, or changes to the chemical condition of the heap, according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. IB is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of an outer pipe of the horizontal piping system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a vertical arrangement of a plurality of outer pipes of the horizontal piping system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. ID is a schematic diagram of a horizontal arrangement of a plurality of outer pipes of the horizontal piping system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG.2A is a side view of a portion of a pipe assembly in a horizontal piping system, under one of the optional configurations, according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG.2B is a side view of the pipe assembly of FIG.2A with a portion of the outer pipe cut away.

[0019] FIG.2C is a cross-sectional view of the pipe assembly of FIG.2A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Systems and methods described herein include pipe assemblies positioned horizontally in heaps of materials for the extraction of metals or other chemicals, for stability of the heap, or changes to the chemical condition of the heap under treatment under this system. Solutions may be injected into the pipe assemblies or portions thereof positioned at orientations as identified above, such as horizontally and / or at one or more of any angles from over 0 degrees up to 80 degrees from horizontal, and for a subset at from over 80 degrees to 90 degrees from horizontal, in the heaps, and perforations in the pipe assemblies may allow for flow of the solution in the heaps to create channels in the heaps. Embodiments relate to systems and methods for leaching, drainage and chemical changes of materials in heaps or piles, and more particularly, to initial and continuing treatment of heaps to improve heap leach extraction, removal of solutions in heaps for stability, or for changes to the chemical conditions within a heap or pile. In some embodiments, pipe assemblies with perforated sections are installed into the heap to be leached. Each designed perforation of the pipe assembly may be referred to as a zone that during stimulation (pumping or replenishment) impacts a geometric volume of the heap pile, depending on the pump pressure, volume and location of the zone isolation mechanism.

[0021] In some embodiments, an aqueous solution containing lixiviants and / or other chemicals and / or reagents or only water may be delivered into the well through one or more conduits or pipes. The chemicals in the aqueous solution may further be mixed together and / or with other ingredients. The solution may thereafter be screened and delivered, for example, by being pumped to pressures required for delivery of the solution from a perforated well, deep into a heap leach pad or a pile to leach, re-leach, alter the chemistry, drain more efficiently solutions therein and / or rinse extracted components of interest, such as metals for extraction or chemical compounds existing within the heap or pile. The delivery method may open or stimulate new fluid pathways or channels by moving the ore particles in the heap, thereby creating new channels, and allowing fluid to interface with inventory metal for extraction or with chemical conditions within the heap or pile needing alteration or with remnant solutions within the heap or pile needing to be drained out. The process does not use hydraulic fracturing of the material, but relies upon pressurized fluid rechanneling through the stacked material.

[0022] Although the terms “heap” and “heap leach” are used herein to illustrate an application of the systems and methods described herein, embodiments are not limited to use with heaps and for heap leaching. The systems and methods herein may also be used forpercolation leaching, dump leaching, crushed leaching, ore pile leaching, run of mine leaching and other leaching methods where ore or material is placed on or over an engineered liner with a collection system or, in some circumstances, even on or over natural topography, which are collectively referred to herein as a “collection,” regardless of the design of heap, pile, collection system pipe work, ditches, ponds, liner, drain rock or whether such collections include ore or other materials.

[0023] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a horizontal piping system 100 for the recovery of metals, according to an embodiment. The horizontal piping system 100 may include a plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c positioned horizontally or configured to be positioned horizontally within a heap 10, a pump system 110 configured to pump fluid into the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c, and one or more conduits 120 providing fluid communication between the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c and the pump system 110. The pump system 110 may include any pump system configured to pump fluid into the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c. For example, the pump system 110 may include a manifold section, atrailer section, and a tree section. Pump systems including manifold sections, trailer sections, tree sections, and pipe assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,050,545, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference. The system 100 may include a collection system at a distal end of the one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c configured to collect excess solution from the one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c. In some embodiments, the collection system may include a pump configured to apply a negative pressure (or negative gauge pressure) to the one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c to suck solution from the one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c.

[0024] The pump system 110 may be configured to pump a fluid into the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c. The fluid may include a pumpable solution that may include gases, chemicals, reagents, solids and pulp, lixiviants and the like, separately or in combination, referred to herein as a “barren” solution when not mixed with other additional chemicals for well stimulation (pumping or replenishment) and an “enhanced” solution when mixed with chemicals, gases, air, etc (both of which are referred to as “treatment” solutions). The pump system 110 may be configured to regulate solution flow and allow other solutions and / or slurries to be mixed with the barren solution by way of valves, for example, to deliver other reagents and chemicals for treatment. The pump system 110 also may be configured to control the flow and mixing of reagents to the downstream apparatus or system. The diameter of the nest of pipes, ports, valves and other components of the pump system 110 may be sufficiently large so as to support the volume of barren / enhanced fluid to be pumped into the pipeassemblies. In regulating the flow of barren solution and the flow of chemicals (reagents, cyanide, etc.), the ports may also be fitted with valves that are configured to control mixing and mixtures of reagents and fitting adapters to hoses and reagent pipes. The pump system 110 may be configured to enable the addition of reagents, including, but not limited to high temperature reagents, to the barren / enhanced solution where mixing and cooling occurs.

[0025] The pump system 110 may include a high pressure-high volume pump or pumps configured to easily handle solids that are of lesser size than an inline filter in the pump system 110. The pump system 110 may include a diesel engine-pump or electric motor-pump configured to enable real time changes to the pressure and flow settings and to enable measurement of the in situ permeability in the collection, versatility for stimulation depths and zone stimulation under a variety of ore types and sizes, collection height, in collection voidage, and connecting barren / enhanced solution delivery capacity. Real time monitoring of the flow and pressure, using sensors and data logging enables control of the stimulation geometry, which determines the effectiveness of the treatment.

[0026] In an embodiment, the pump system includes a centrifugal pump that is powered by a diesel engine or electric motor with an RPM controller. In some embodiments, the pump system can stimulate heaps / collections from about 20 feet to over 2 miles long or more, with pressures over 250 psi and flow rates over 1,300 gpm. Embodiments are configured to move up to approximately3 / a inch solids of corrosive and abrasive chemical slurries at elevated temperatures.

[0027] As, among other reasons, at least some embodiments described herein do not rely upon hydraulic fracturing of the material within the heap / collection for example, for this reason or others the pump may be configured to create sufficient pressure, and the treatment solution be of an appropriate composition, so as to lift and mobilize material (rock and other materials) within a zone being stimulated, so as to create channels or fluid pathways in the unconsolidated material through which the treatment solution may flow for some length through the zone.

[0028] The pump system 110 may be configured to enable the treatment solution to flow without passing through the pump by the use of one or more valves. This bypass of treatment solution may enable treatment solution to free flow (e.g., without flowing through the pump) and therefore enable measurement of the in situ permeability of the heap / collection.

[0029] The location of each pipe assembly for a heap / collection is determined based on the expectation of the performance of the heap or pile based upon past experiences from injections of heaps with similar characteristics, such as the voidage of the material to be stacked, the expectation of trapped solution formation from the mineralogic characteristics of the material,or the chemical analysis of one or more samples taken from the material to be stacked on the heap or pile and / or metal production and heap operational expectation, rather than any form of geophysical surveying. While the term “geophysical surveying” can involve a number of different principals, such as the utilization of chemicals, dyes and / or one or more instruments spread across the surface of the heap / collection, and sometimes within the collection and / or well, from which various geophysical properties can be sampled, such as chemical compositions, gravity, heat flow, vibrations, conductivity, electricity, electromagnetic waves, magnetism and fluid dynamics, geophysical surveying does not involve the use of core samples or measurements of the effect of injections from a set of test wells. In contrast, in an embodiment, based on operational history and / or the chemical analysis of the core samples or measurement of initial injections, determinations may be made on where a pipe assembly should be located. For example, if a particular core sample revealed that a particular section of a heap / collection contained more than an expected level of a target mineral, or a quantity of remnant or trapped solutions was measured, that particular section of the heap / collection could become the location of one or more pipe assemblies.

[0030] Each pipe assembly may be uniquely designed for each location. This unique design is dependent upon the specific zone and volume of ore that will contain the target metal to be extracted, or the solution entrapment to be relieved, or the chemical characteristics to be modified / corrected. Turning to FIG. IB, the installation of a well includes the use of a pipe assembly 130 including an inner pipe 124 (e.g., solution supply pipe) having one or more first perforated sections 128, an outer pipe 140 (e.g., a horizontal, angled to horizontal or other as described above, casing) having a body 141 and a plurality of vertical risers 150 each having a second perforated section 158 to fit the potential solution flow and stimulation process. As shown in FIG. 1A, a plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c may be positioned substantially horizontal in the heap 10 (e.g. , collection of materials over the collection pad). The one or more second perforated sections 158 are positioned such that solution pumped through the one or more first perforated sections 128 attached to the two or more isolation packers intermittently installed along the line of the inner pipe 124 is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections 158 of the outer pipe and into the heap 10.

[0031] In some embodiments, perforations are absent from the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 that is positioned or positionable horizontally, and / or as otherwise described above, in the heap 10. Instead, solution may only flow into the heap 10 through the second perforated sections 158 of the plurality of risers 150, according to an embodiment. Each of the plurality of risers 150 may be secured or securable to the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 such that theriser 150 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the body 141 of the outer pipe 140. Accordingly for example, when the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 is positioned substantially horizontally in the heap 10, the plurality of risers 150 can be substantially vertical in the heap 10. Each of the plurality of risers 150 is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 such that solution discharged into the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 through perforations 126 in a perforated section 128 attached to the one or more isolation packers intermittently installed along the line of the inner pipe 124 proximate to the vertical riser 150 may flow into the exemplary vertical riser 150 and out through the perforations 156 of the perforated section 158.

[0032] In some embodiments, the subsequent perforated section 158 of the plurality of risers 150 comprises a plurality of rows of perforations 154, each of the plurality of rows of perforations 154 comprising multiple perforations 156. The multiple perforations 156 in each of the plurality of rows of perforations 154 may be radially spaced around the riser 150 at a substantially equal distance from adjacent perforations 156 of the multiple perforations 156, but may be spaced in unequally separated rows to focus the injections for safety or treatment purposes. For example, in an embodiment, each row of perforations 154 may include eight perforations 156 spaced approximately 45 degrees from adjacent perforations 156. In some embodiments, each row of perforations 154 may include six perforations 156 spaced approximately 60 degrees from adjacent perforations 156. In some embodiments, each row of perforations 154 may include twelve perforations 156 spaced approximately 30 degrees from adjacent perforations 156. In some embodiments, each row of perforations 154 may include four perforations 156 spaced approximately 90 degrees from adjacent perforations 156. Other embodiments may include other numbers of perforations radially spaced around the riser 150 at substantially equal or varying distances from adjacent perforations 156. In some embodiments, each row of perforations 154 is aligned with at least one adjacent row of perforations 154 such that the perforations 156 are longitudinally aligned on the riser 150. In some embodiments, each row of perforations 154 is offset with at least one adjacent row of perforations 154.

[0033] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of risers 150 may include a height of about 0.5 meters to about 4 meters, such as about 0.5 meters to about 2.0 meters, about 1 meter to about 2.5 meters, about 1.5 meters to about 3.0 meters, about 2 meters to about 3.5 meters, or about 2.5 meters to about 4.0 meters. Each riser 150 may include a closed end 152 opposite to the body 141.

[0034] In some embodiments, each pipe assembly 130 comprises an isolation assembly having a proximal member 122a and a distal member 122b. The proximal member 122a and the distal member 122b may be selectively movable within the body 141 effective to seal a portion of the interior of the body 141 with one or more risers 150a of the plurality of risers 150 between the proximal member 122a and the distal member 122b. In some embodiments, the first perforated section 128 of the inner pipe 124 is positioned between the proximal member 122a and the distal member 122b of the isolation assembly. Accordingly, the isolation assembly may be configured to isolate flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe 124 through the perforations 126 of the first perforated section 128 of the inner pipe 124, into the one or more risers 150a, and through the perforations 156 of the second perforated section 158 of the one or more risers 150a.

[0035] During use, the injection pipe or inner pipe 124 may be inserted inside the outer pipe 140. The inner pipe 124 transports the treatment solution to the first section or sections of perforations 126 and, subsequently, the second section or sections of perforations 156 on a selected riser, or set of risers, 150a. In order to fully utilize the available flow to new depths, the inner pipe 124 may be a suitable diameter (e.g., an outer diameter of about 11.4 cm) by selecting pipe joints, for example HWT pipe, to carry the injection fluid, which allows the flow to be fully utilized and to significantly reduce pressure loss. The injection pipe may include an inflation line and attachment mechanism configured to activate the isolation assembly and to ease operation while maintaining the integrity and construction of the inflation line. The inflation line may be a high-pressure flexible hose or tube and may be secured to the inner pipe 124 in the tight space that exists between the inner pipe 124 and body 141 of the outer pipe 140. In an embodiment, the inflation line may be secured to the inner pipe 124 at each joint and in the middle of each joint to reduce wear and perforation or breach of the inflation line.

[0036] The proximal member 122a and the distal member 122b of the isolation assembly may be configured and selected to allow versatility of sealing each riser 150 of the remaining risers in the plurality of risers 150 to create a section in the heap 10 and to dedicate all of the pumped fluids to a specific section. The isolation members 122a, 122b may be fabricated from one or more inflatable straddle packers selected to accommodate the high pressure (up to or more than 1,000 psi inflation), corrosive and abrasive chemical slurries and elevated temperatures. The members 122a, 122b may be configured to straddle the riser 150a, or set of risers 150a, with the distal member 122b distal to the riser, or set of risers, 150a and the proximal member 122a proximal of the riser, or set of risers, 150a, with the risetys) 150a beingsealed from the remainder of the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 and other risers of the plurality of risers 150. The members 122a, 122b may be inflated from the inflation line from a hose reel, through pipes, valves, fittings, tubes, and a pressure gauge, connected to a compressor or a compressed air supply tank.

[0037] Turning to FIGS. 1C-1D, the plurality of pipe assemblies 130 and the plurality of risers 150 may be arranged in predetermined positions in the heap 10. The risers 150 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 of each pipe assembly 130a-130c-130d may be spaced from one another at a predetermined distance yi. The predetermined distance yi may be about 25 meters to about 50 meters, such as about 25 meters to about 35 meters, about 30 meters to about 40 meters, about 35 meters to about 45 meters, or about 40 meters to about 50 meters. And the risers 150 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 of each pipe assembly 130a-130b may be spaced upon the respective pipes 130a or 130b at a predetermined distance y 1, but the spacing of the risers 150 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140 of pipe 130b may be spaced at a predetermined distance of on the order of two-thirds of the distance yl.

[0038] With specific reference to FIG. ID, a plurality of pipe assemblies 130a, 130c, 130d may be positioned on a substantially horizontal plane z with each of the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a, 130c, 130d spaced from the adjacent pipe assembly at a predetermined distance zi, Z2. The predetermined distance zi, Z2 may be about 20 meters to about 40 meters apart, such as about 20 meters to about 30 meters, about 35 meters to about 45 meters, about 30 meters to about 40 meters, about 20 meters, about 25 meters, about 30 meters, about 35 meters, or about 40 meters. In some embodiments, the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a, 130c, 130d are positioned on the substantially horizontal plane z such that all of plurality of risers 150 on the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a, 130c, 130d are positioned about 30 meters to about 40 meters from one another, whether the risers 150 are positioned on the body 141 of the same outer pipe 140 or the body 141 of different outer pipes 140. For example, FIG. ID shows a pipe assembly 130c having a riser 150c secured to the body 141 of an outer pipe 140c and a pipe assembly 130d having risers 150di and 150d2 secured to the body 141 of an outer pipe 140d. The pipe assemblies 130c, 130d (and the bodies 141 of outer pipes 140c, 140d) are spaced from one another on the substantially horizontal plane z such that the distances between the risers 150di, 150d2, and 150c are all about 30 meters to about 40 meters. More particularly, the distance yi between the risers 150di, 150d2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140d is about 30 meters to about 40 meters, the distance a2 between the riser 150di on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140d and the riser 150c on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140c is about 30 meters to about 40 meters, and the distance b2 between the riser 150d2on the body 141 of the outerpipe 140d and the riser 150c on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140c is about 30 meters to about 40 meters.

[0039] In some embodiments, the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a, 130c, 130d are positioned on the substantially horizontal plane z such that all of plurality of risers 150 on the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a, 130c, 130d are positioned at a substantially equal distance from one another, whether the risers 150 are positioned on the body 141 of the same outer pipe 140 or the bodies 141 of different outer pipes 140. For example, in FIG. ID, the pipe assemblies 130c, 130d (and the bodies 141 of the outer pipes 140c, 140d) are spaced from one another on the substantially horizontal plane z such that the distances between the risers 150di, 150d2, and 150c are all substantially equal. More particularly, the distance yi between the risers 150di, 150d2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140d may be substantially equal to the distance a2 between the riser 150di on the body 140 of the outer pipe 140d and the riser 150c on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140c, and the distance b2 between the riser 150d2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140d and the riser 150c on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140c may be substantially equal to the distance yi between the risers 150di, 150d2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140d. In some embodiments, the distances yi, a2, and b2 are substantially equal and about 30 meters to about 40 meters. In some embodiments, the distances y i, a2, and b2 are within about 5%, about 10%, or about 25% of one another. In some embodiments, the distances yi, a2, and b2 are about 30 meters to about 40 meters and within about 5%, about 10%, or about 25% of one another.

[0040] Referring specifically to FIG. 1C, in some embodiments, the system 100 may include at least one lower pipe assembly 130a and at least one upper pipe assembly 130b. The lower pipe assembly 130a and the upper pipe assembly 130b may both be positioned substantially horizontal in the heap 10, but are positioned on different horizontal planes such that the upper pipe assembly 130b is positioned higher in the heap 10 than the lower pipe assembly 130a. For example, the upper pipe assembly 130b may be positioned above the lower pipe assembly 130a at a height xi of about 3 meters to about 9 meters, such as about 3 meters to about 5 meters, about 4 meters to about 6 meters, about 5 meters to about 7 meters, about 6 meters to about 8 meters, about 7 meters to about 9 meters, about 4 meters, about 5 meters, about 6 meters, about 7 meters, or about 8 meters. In some embodiments, the upper pipe assembly 130b is positioned directly above the lower pipe assembly 130a. In some embodiments, the upper pipe assembly 130b is positioned above and offset from the lower pipe assembly 130a. For example, if the upper pipe assembly 130b was positioned above the lower pipe assembly 130a, the upper pipe assembly 130b may be positioned above the pipeassemblies 130a, 130c on the x axis and between (e.g., halfway between) the pipe assemblies 130a, 130c on the z axis.

[0041] In some embodiments, the upper pipe assembly 130b and the lower pipe assembly 130a are at different heights such that all of plurality of risers 150 on the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a, 130b are positioned about 20 meters to about 40 meters from one another, whether the risers 150 are positioned on the body 141 of the same outer pipe 140 or the bodies 141 of different outer pipes 140. For example, FIG. 1C shows an upper pipe assembly 130b having risers 150bi, 150b2 secured to a body 141 of an outer pipe 140b and a lower pipe assembly 130a having a riser 150a secured to a body 141 of an outer pipe 140a. The upper pipe assembly 130b is positioned above the lower pipe assembly 130a and offset a distance such that the distances between the riser 150a and the risers 150bi and 150b2 are each about 20 meters to about 30 meters. More particularly, the distance yi between the nsers 150bi, 150b2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140b is about 30 meters to about 40 meters, the distance ai between the riser 150a on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140a and the riser 150bi on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140b is about 20 meters to about 30 meters, and the distance bi between the riser 150a on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140a and the riser 150b2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140b is about 20 meters to about 30 meters.

[0042] In some embodiments, the upper pipe assembly 130b is positioned above and offset from the lower pipe assembly 130a such that all of plurality of risers 150 on pipe assembly 130b are positioned at a substantially equal distance from the plurality of risers 150 on pipe assembly 130a, and that all the risers 150 on pipe assembly 130b are separated from each other by substantially the same distance of separation as the risers 150 on pipe assembly 130a. The plurality of risers 150 on pipe assembly 130b are substantially at a distance from the risers 150 on pipe assembly 130a of 65% to 71% of the distance between risers 150 on pipe assembly 130b. For example, in FIG. 1C, the upper pipe assembly 130b is positioned above the lower pipe assembly 130a on the order of 3 to 9 meters higher in the heap or pile (the elevation change) and set on a parallel line normally half-way between 130a and 130c, such that the distances between the riser 150a, to riser 150bi, and to riser 150b2 fundamentally form an isosceles triangle. More particularly, the distance yi between the risers 150bi and 150b2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140b may be substantially equal to the distance y i between the risers 150di and 150d2, and the distances ai and bi between the risers 150bi and 150b2on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140d and the riser 150a on the body 141 of outer pipe 140a may be substantially on the order of 68% of the distance yi between riser 150bi and 150b2 on the body 141 of the outer pipe 140b. In some embodiments, the distances yi are substantially equal andabout 30 meters to about 40 meters and the distances ai and bi are substantially equal and about 20 meters to about 28 meters. In some embodiments, the distances yi, and the distances ai and bi are within about 65%, about 68%, or about 71% of one another. In some embodiments, the distances yi are about 30 meters to about 40 meters and within about 5%, about 10%, or about 25% of one another and the distances ai and bi are about 20 to 28 meters and within about 5%, about 10%, or about 25% of one another.

[0043] Also contemplated herein are methods of using embodiments of the system 100. In an embodiment, a method of recovering a target material from a heap (e.g, a collection of materials) over a collection pad through a leaching process is disclosed. The method may include positioning one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c substantially horizontal in the heap 10 over the collection pad. The method also may include pumping solution from a pump system 110 through the one or more first perforated sections 128 of the inner pipe 124 such that the solution is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections 158 in the risers 150 into the heap 10. In some embodiments, the method includes collecting excess solution from the one or more pipe assemblies at a distal end of the one or more pipe assemblies.

[0044] In some embodiments, positioning the one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c substantially horizontal in the heap 10 over the collection pad may include positioning the one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c substantially horizontal on a first portion of the collection materials and then disposing a second portion of the collection materials on the first portion of the collection materials and the one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c. More particularly, positioning the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c substantially horizontal on a first portion of the heap 10 and then disposing a second portion of the heap 10 on the first portion of the collection materials and the plurality of pipe assemblies 130a-c may include: positioning a first pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies on the first portion of the heap 10, the first pipe assembly comprising a first outer pipe, a first riser of the plurality of risers secured to the first outer pipe, and a second riser of the plurality of risers secured to the first outer pipe and spaced from the first riser at a first distance; positioning a second pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies on the first portion of the heap 10, the second pipe assembly comprising an additional outer pipe and an additional riser of the plurality of risers secured to the additional outer pipe, wherein the additional riser is spaced from the first riser at a second distance substantially equal to the first distance and spaced from the second riser at a third distance substantially equal to the first distance; and disposing the second portion of the heap on the first portion of the heap, the first pipe assembly, and the second pipe assembly. The firstpipe assembly and the second pipe assembly may be positioned on the first portion of the collection material on a substantially horizontal plane.

[0045] In some embodiments, positioning one or more pipe assemblies 130a-c substantially horizontal in the heap 10 over the collection pad compnses positioning a lower pipe assembly 130a of the one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the heap 10 over the collection pad and positioning an upper pipe assembly 130b of the one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the heap 10 about 3 meters to about 9 meters above the lower pipe assembly.

[0046] The method may further comprise selectively moving an isolation assembly in the outer pipe 140 to selectively seal one or more risers 150a, etcetera of the plurality of risers 150 between a proximal member 122a and a distal member 122b of the isolation assembly, thereby isolating flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe 124, through the first perforated section or sections 126 of the inner pipe 124, into the one or more risers 150a, etcetera, and through the second perforated section or sections 156 of the one or more risers 150a, etcetera.

[0047] Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 2A is a side view of a portion of a pipe assembly 230 in a horizontal piping system, FIG. 2B is a side view of the pipe assembly 230 of FIG.2A with a portion of an outer pipe 240 cut away, and FIG.2C is a cross-sectional view of the pipe assembly 230 of FIG. 2A taken along line 2C. Unless otherwise noted, the horizontal piping system may include any aspect of the system 100. For example, though not shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the system may include the pump system 110 and the conduit(s) 110 of the system 100. Moreover, although only a single outer pipe 240 and pipe assembly 230 is shown, multiple pipe assemblies 230 and outer pipes 240 may be utilized in a system or method. For example, the pipe assembly 230 may replace one or more (e.g, all) of the pipe assemblies 130 in the system 100 described above in any of the configurations described above. The pipe assembly 230, however, may be configured to be positioned horizontally into (e g., drilled and inserted into) a preexisting heap 10 rather than having the heap 10 deposited on top of the pipe assembly after the pipe assembly is placed horizontally.

[0048] In some embodiments, the pipe assembly 230 comprises an inner pipe 124 having one or more first perforated sections 128 and an outer pipe 240 comprising one or more second perforated sections 248 positioned such that solution pumped through perforations 126 of the one or more first perforated sections 128 of the inner pipe is discharged through perforations 246a, 246b of the one or more second perforated sections 248 into the heap 10 over the collection pad. In some embodiments, the one or more second perforated sections 248 comprise a single, continuous perforated section extending longitudinally along the outer pipe 240. Insome embodiments, the one or more second perforated sections 248 comprises multiple perforated sections spaced longitudinally along the outer pipe 240, with a separation between these perforated sections 248 of 6 meters or more.

[0049] The second perforated section 248 comprises a first row of perforations 246a aligned longitudinally along the outer pipe 240. When the outer pipe 240 is positioned horizontally in the heap 10, the first row of perforations 246a is positioned substantially halfway between a top 245 of the outer pipe 240 and a bottom 247 of the outer pipe 240. As shown in FIG. 2C, the first row of perforations 246a may include two sets of perforations positioned about 180 degrees apart such that when the outer pipe 240 is positioned horizontally in the heap 10, both sides of the outer pipe 240 include the first row of perforations 246a positioned substantially halfway between the top 245 of the outer pipe 240 and the bottom 247 of the outer pipe 240.

[0050] The second perforated section 248 also may comprise a second row of perforations 246b aligned longitudinally along the outer pipe 240 about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees from the first row of perforations 246a. When the outer pipe 240 is positioned horizontally in the heap 10, the second row of perforations 246b is positioned between the first row of perforations 246a and the top 245 of the outer pipe 240. As shown in FIG. 2C, the second row of perforations 246b may include two sets of perforations each positioned about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees from one set of perforations of the first row of perforations 246a between the top 245 of the outer pipe 240 and the one set of perforations of the first row of perforations 246a. In some embodiments, no perforations are present on the bottom region of the outer pipe 240 between the two sets of perforations of the first row of perforations 246a.

[0051] The pipe assembly 240 also may include an isolation assembly having a proximal member 122a and distal member 122b, as described above. The isolation assembly may be configured to seal the outer pipe 240 with a portion of the second section of perforations 248 (or one section of multiple second sections of perforations) between the proximal member 122a and the distal member 122b effective to isolate flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe 124, through the first perforated section 128 of the inner pipe 124, and through the portion of the second perforated section 248 of the outer pipe 240.

[0052] The pipe assembly 240 also may be used in a method of recovering a target material from a collection of materials over a collection pad through a leaching process, or in a method of extracting remnant or trapped solutions in the heap or pile, or in changing the chemical characteristics of the heap or pile. As noted above, the method may include positioning the pipe assembly 240 into an already stacked, preexisting heap 10 or collection of materials rather thanthe pipe assembly 240 on top of a portion of a heap and then stacking more material onto the pipe assembly. Accordingly, the method may include positioning one or more pipe assemblies 240 substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection pad by drilling one or more horizontal holes into the collection of materials and then disposing the one or more pipe assemblies 240 in the substantially horizontal holes in the collection of materials. Disposing the one or more pipe assemblies 240 in the substantially horizontal holes in the collection of materials may include disposing the one or more pipe assemblies 240 in the substantially horizontal holes with the first row of perforations 246a positioned substantially halfway between the top 245 of the outer pipe 240 and the bottom 247 of the outer pipe 240. In some embodiments, disposing the one or more pipe assemblies 240 in the substantially horizontal holes includes disposing the one or more pipe assemblies 240 in the substantially horizontal holes with the second row of perforations 246b positioned between the first row of perforations 246a and the top 245 of the outer pipe 240.

[0053] The method also may include pumping solution from a pump system 110 through the one or more first perforated sections 128 of the inner pipe 124 such that the solution is discharged through at least some of the one or more second perforated sections 248 in the outer pipe 240 into the collection of materials. In some embodiments, the method includes selectively moving the isolation assembly in the outer pipe 240 to selectively seal a portion of the second section of perforations 248 between the proximal member 122a and the distal member 122b of the isolation assembly, thereby isolating flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe 124, through the first perforated section 128 of the inner pipe 124, and through the portion of the second perforated section 248. Pumping or injecting the solution through the second perforated section 248 creates channels in the preexisting heap 10. In some embodiments, the inner pipe 124 may then be removed from the outer pipe 240 (or it can be left within the outer pipe 240), and a negative pressure pump applied to the outer pipe 240 to suck the solution from the heap 10 and through the outer pipe 240 for collection.

[0054] As used herein, the term ‘‘about” or “substantially” refers to an allowable variance of the term modified by “about” by ±10% or ±5%. Further, the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more” include as an endpoint, the value that is modified by the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more.”

[0055] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiment disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

[0056] All dimensions and angles disclosed above can be varied for varying circumstances, uses, and objects. They may be varied by ranges of plus or minus 1% through up to 40% with the ranges in some embodiments var ing by differing amounts for differing aspects of a given application. Some embodiments may vary in size from 40% greater to as large as desired, such as 1000% greater or even more, such as for larger heaps.

[0057] The foregoing detailed description has described some specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present systems and methods and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present systems, their components, and methods and various embodiments with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0058] Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” In addition, the term “based on” as used in the specification and the claims is to be construed as meaning “based at least upon.” Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of’ indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, alignment, and the like, used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood to be modified in all instances by the term “approximately.”

[0059] All disclosed ranges are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed by each range. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and / or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).

[0060] All disclosed numerical values are to be understood as being variable from within minus 90% to plus 1000% and thus provide support for claims that recite such values or anyand all ranges or subranges that can be formed by such values. For example, a stated numerical value of 8 should be understood to be capable of varying from .8 (minus 90%) to 80 (plus 1000%). The subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any embodiment, feature, or combination of features described or illustrated in this document. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the feature or combination of features is illustrated and described in this document.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system for recovery / extraction of a target material from a collection of materials over a collection pad through a leaching process, the system comprising:a pump system; andone or more pipe assemblies positioned substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection pad, each pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies comprising an outer pipe, an inner pipe having one or more first perforated sections, and one or more second perforated sections in at least a portion of the outer pipe and positioned such that solution pumped through the one or more first perforated sections of the inner pipe is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe into the collection of materials over the collection pad.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:the outer pipe comprises a body positioned substantially horizontal in the collection of materials and a plurality of risers secured to the body and substantially perpendicular to the body, each riser of the plurality of risers comprising one second perforated section of the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe; andperforations are absent or are spaced a sufficient distance from the adjacent perforated sections, to protect from excessive short-circuiting of the solutions, from the horizontally positioned body of outer pipe.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each riser of the plurality of risers is about 1 meter to about 2 meters in height and spaced on the body of the outer pipe about 30 meters to about 40 meters from an adjacent riser of the plurality of risers.

4. The system of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the one or more pipe assemblies comprise a plurality of pipe assemblies each comprising:a first pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies and comprising a first outer pipe, a first riser of the plurality of risers secured to a body of the first outer pipe, and a second riser of the plurality of risers secured to a body of the first outer pipe and spaced from the first riser at a first distance; anda second pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies and comprising an additional outer pipe and an additional riser of the plurality of risers secured to a body of the additional outer pipe, wherein the additional riser is spaced from the first riser at a second distance substantially equal to the first distance and spaced from the second riser at a third distance substantially equal to the first distance.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first pipe assembly and the second pipe assembly are positioned on a substantially horizontal plane.

6. The system of any of claims 2-5, wherein the one or more pipe assemblies comprises at least one lower pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies and at least one upper pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies spaced about 3 meters to about 9 meters from the at least one lower pipe assembly.

7. The system of any of claims 2-6, wherein the second perforated section of each riser of the plurality of risers comprises a plurality of rows of perforations, each row of perforations of the plurality of rows of perforations comprising multiple perforations.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the multiple perforations are radially spaced around the riser at a substantially equal distance from adjacent perforations of the multiple perforations.

9. The system of any of claims 2-8, wherein each pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies comprises an isolation assembly having a proximal member and a distal member, the isolation assembly configured to seal the body of the outer pipe with one or more risers of the plurality of risers between the proximal member and the distal member effective to isolate flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe, through the first perforated section of the inner pipe, into the one or more risers, and through the second perforated section of the one or more risers.

10. The system of any of claims 2-9, further comprising a collection system at a distal end of the one or more pipe assemblies and configured to collect excess solution from the one or more pipe assemblies.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the outer pipe of each pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies is positioned such that the one or more second perforated sections is positioned on a portion of the outer pipe that is substantially horizontal in the collection of materials and the solution pumped through the one or more first perforated sections of the inner pipe is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections of the body of the outer pipe into the collection of materials over the collection pad.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe comprise a first row of perforations aligned longitudinally along the outer pipe, the outer pipe being positioned in the collection of materials such that the first row of perforations is positioned substantially halfway between a top of the outer pipe and a bottom of the outer pipe.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe comprises a second row of perforations aligned longitudinally along the outer pipe about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees from the first row of perforations, the outer pipe being positioned in the collection of materials such that the second row of perforations is positioned between the first row of perforations and the top of the outer pipe.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the outer pipe is positioned in the collection of materials such that no perforations are positioned between the first row of perforations and the bottom of the outer pipe.

15. The system of any of claims 11-14, wherein each pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies comprises an isolation assembly having a proximal member and a distal member, the isolation assembly configured to seal the outer pipe with a portion of the second section of perforations between the proximal member and the distal member effective to isolate flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe, through the first perforated section of the inner pipe, and through the portion of the second perforated section of the outer pipe.

16. A method of recovering a target material from a collection of materials over a collection section through a leaching process, the method comprising:positioning one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection section, each pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assembliescomprising an outer pipe, an inner pipe having one or more first perforated sections, and one or more second perforated sections in the outer pipe; andpumping solution from a pump system through the one or more first perforated sections of the inner pipe such that the solution is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections into the collection of materials.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:positioning one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection section comprises positioning the one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal on a first portion of the collection materials and then disposing a second portion of the collection materials on the first portion of the collection materials and the one or more pipe assemblies;each pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies comprises a body that is substantially horizontal in the collection of materials and a plurality of risers secured to the body and substantially perpendicular to the body, each riser of the plurality comprising one second perforated section of the one or more second perforated sections in fluid communication with at least a portion of the outer pipe; andperforations are absent from horizontally positioned body of the outer pipe.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each riser of the plurality of risers is about 1 meter to about 2 meters in height and spaced on the body of the outer pipe about 30 meters to about 40 meters from an adjacent riser of the plurality of risers.

19. The method of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the one or more pipe assemblies comprise a plurality of pipe assemblies and positioning the plurality of pipe assemblies substantially horizontal on a first portion of the collection materials and then disposing a second portion of the collection materials on the first portion of the collection materials and the plurality of pipe assemblies comprises:positioning a first pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies on the first portion of the collection materials, the first pipe assembly comprising a first outer pipe, a first riser of the plurality of risers secured to a body of the first outer pipe, and a second riser of the plurality of risers secured to a body of the first outer pipe and spaced from the first riser at a first distance;positioning a second pipe assembly of the plurality of pipe assemblies on the first portion of the collection materials, the second pipe assembly comprising an additional outerpipe and an additional riser of the plurality of risers secured to a body of the additional outer pipe, wherein the additional riser is spaced from the first riser at a second distance substantially equal to the first distance and spaced from the second riser at a third distance substantially equal to the first distance; anddisposing the second portion of the collection materials on the first portion of the collection materials, the first pipe assembly, and the second pipe assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first pipe assembly and the second pipe assembly are positioned on the first portion of the collection material on a substantially horizontal plane.

21. The method of any of claims 17-20, wherein positioning one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection pad comprises:positioning a lower pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection pad; andpositioning an upper pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the collection material about 3 meters to about 8 meters above the lower pipe assembly.

22. The method of any of claims 17-21, wherein the second perforated section of each riser of the plurality of risers comprises a plurality of rows of perforations, each row of perforations of the plurality of rows of perforations comprising multiple perforations.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the multiple perforations are radially spaced around the riser at a substantially equal distance from adjacent perforations of the multiple perforations.

24. The method of any of claims 17-23, further comprising moving an isolation assembly in the outer pipe to selectively seal one or more risers of the plurality of risers between a proximal member and a distal member of the isolation assembly, thereby isolating flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe, through the first perforated section of the inner pipe, into the one or more risers, and through the second perforated section of the one or more risers.

25. The method of any of claims 17-24, further comprising collecting excess solution from the one or more pipe assemblies at a distal end of the one or more pipe assemblies.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein:positioning one or more pipe assemblies substantially horizontal in the collection of materials over the collection section comprises drilling one or more horizontal holes into the collection of materials and disposing the one or more pipe assemblies in the substantially horizontal holes in the collection of materials;the outer pipe of each pipe assembly of the one or more pipe assemblies comprises the one or more second perforated sections positioned on a portion of the outer pipe that is substantially horizontal in the collection of materials, wherein the solution pumped through the one or more first perforated sections of the inner pipe is discharged through the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe into the collection of materials over the collection pad.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein:the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe comprise a first row of perforations aligned longitudinally along the outer pipe; anddisposing the one or more pipe assemblies in the substantially horizontal holes in the collection of materials includes disposing the one or more pipe assemblies in the substantially horizontal holes with the first row of perforations is positioned substantially halfway between a top of the outer pipe and a bottom of the outer pipe.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein:the one or more second perforated sections of the outer pipe comprises a second row of perforations aligned longitudinally along the outer pipe about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees from the first row of perforations; anddisposing the one or more pipe assemblies in the substantially horizontal holes comprises disposing the one or more pipe assemblies in the substantially horizontal holes in the collection of materials with the second row of perforations positioned between the first row of perforations and the top of the outer pipe.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the outer pipe is positioned in the collection of materials such that no perforations are positioned between the first row of perforations and the bottom of the outer pipe.

30. The method of any of claims 26-29, further comprising moving an isolation assembly in the outer pipe to selectively seal a portion of the second sections of perforations between a proximal member and a distal member of the isolation assembly, thereby isolating flow of the solution pumped into the inner pipe, through the first perforated section of the inner pipe, and through the portion of the second perforated sections.

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