Adjustable Well Pattern Layout for Faster Sandstone Uranium Leaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of achieving an 80% uranium recovery rate within 6 years in in-situ leaching mining areas is hindered by issues such as blockage, low uranium concentration, and decreased pumping and injection flow, particularly in uranium and coal superposed areas, necessitating a method to extend the mining area's service life and expedite resource recovery.
Innovation Solution
A rapid mining method involving a high-density adjustable well pattern, digital well construction, pumping/injection centralized filtration, intensified leaching through strong oxidation and complexation reactions, high-intensity extraction using submersible pumps, and pressurized injection with uniform regulation to enhance uranium recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional in-situ leaching mining is used in uranium and coal superposed areas, then coal resources can be preserved for future exploitation, but uranium recovery rate decreases and service life extends beyond 6 years
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic well pattern adjustment by transforming well functions during different production stages. In the early stage, injection wells are positioned at corners and pumping wells at centers of grid squares. In the middle and late stages, well functions are dynamically transformed: corner injection wells become pumping wells, and center pumping wells become injection wells. This dynamic adjustment optimizes leaching solution flow paths, reduces dead corners, and maintains high uranium recovery rates throughout the extended service life period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting well diameters based on position. Edge injection wells have a first well diameter, while non-edge injection wells and pumping wells have a second well diameter that is larger than the first. This parameter differentiation optimizes injection efficiency and leaching solution distribution, enabling high recovery rates to be maintained over the extended 8-10 year service life.
2Productivity
If mining speed is increased to recover uranium faster, then service life is shortened, but leaching dead corners increase and recovery rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic well function transformation ensures that as the mining progresses and recovery speed increases, the well pattern adapts to eliminate emerging dead corners. By transforming well functions at appropriate stages, the system maintains optimal leaching solution circulation paths, ensuring that high productivity does not compromise the overall recovery rate even as the mining area extends its service life.
3Productivity
If well diameter is increased to improve injection efficiency, then pumping and injection flow increases, but device complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating well diameters based on specific positions within the well pattern. Edge injection wells use a first well diameter, while non-edge injection wells and pumping wells use a larger second well diameter. This localized differentiation optimizes injection efficiency and flow distribution in different areas of the mining zone without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire system, achieving high productivity with controlled device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method accelerates uranium resource recovery by reducing leaching dead angles, maintaining aquifer permeability, and optimizing well patterns, thereby shortening the mining area's service life and improving recovery rates.
Implementation Method 1
carrying out pumping/injection centralized filtration by the filter on the in-situ leaching mining area
Implementation Method 2
carrying out intensified leaching through a strong oxidation reaction and a strong complexation reaction in the production stage
Implementation Method 3
carrying out high-intensity extraction through a high-lift and large-flow submersible pump operation mode in the production stage
Implementation Method 4
carrying out high-intensity injection through a pressurized injection and uniform injection regulation and control mode in the production stage
Data Source
AI summary
A rapid mining method for sandstone-type uranium resources in a uranium and coal superposed area, which relates to the technical field of mining engineering is provided. The method includes: arranging a high-density adjustable well pattern in an in-situ leaching mining area; determining a length and a position of a filter located on the in-situ leaching mining area through a digital well construction technology; and in a production stage, carrying out operations such as pumping/injection centralized filtration, intensified leaching, high-intensity extraction, high-intensity injection, and change of layout of the high-density adjustable well pattern to rapidly obtain sandstone-type uranium resources in a uranium and coal superposed area. A recovery speed of the sandstone-type uranium resources can be improved, and service life of the in-situ leaching mining area can be shortened.