Underground Cavity Backfilling with Brine Separation Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for backfilling underground cavities filled with brine are economically and constructively inefficient, particularly due to the use of materials with high pollutant loads, and fail to effectively separate and reuse brine for soda production while preventing contamination.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the placement of a solid phase backfill material in the lower section of an underground cavity, with a liquid phase brine removal from the upper section, forming a separating layer, and utilizing a mixing station to combine brine from one cavity with solid waste to create backfill material, which is then used to extract brine from another cavity, ensuring the brine's purity for soda production by maintaining a controlled separating layer thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If brine is removed from underground cavities for soda production, then economic value is recovered, but contamination risks increase during the backfilling process
Solution Approach 1:
The underground cavity is divided into two distinct sections: a lower backfilling section where solid backfill material is placed, and an upper brine removal section where brine is extracted through separate piping. This spatial segmentation prevents mixing between backfill material and brine, allowing simultaneous backfilling and brine recovery without contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
A separating layer is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the backfill material and the brine. This layer acts as a protective interface that prevents direct contact and potential contamination between the two substances while still allowing the process to proceed efficiently.
2Ease of manufacture
If dusty backfill materials or waste are used, then construction costs are reduced, but pollutant load and environmental risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Waste materials that would normally be considered harmful or unwanted are converted into useful backfill material. The dusty backfill materials or waste products are utilized in the lower section of the cavity, transforming potential pollutants into a constructive element that supports the brine-separating structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality requirements are applied to different zones: the lower section accepts lower-quality waste materials for backfilling, while the upper section maintains high purity requirements for brine extraction. This localized quality differentiation allows cost-effective waste utilization without compromising brine quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dual-cavity pipe system is implemented, then brine purity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two functional operations—backfilling and brine removal—that would traditionally require separate sequential processes are merged into a single simultaneous operation. The dual-cavity pipe system enables both functions to occur at the same time, improving efficiency despite the increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The underground cavity structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a backfilling zone and a brine extraction zone. The pipe system is designed to perform dual functions of material injection and fluid extraction through a unified configuration.
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 efficiently backfills underground cavities while maintaining brine purity for soda production, reducing contamination risks and operational costs by utilizing a dual-cavity pipe system to manage the separating layer and brine flow effectively.
Implementation Method 1
Other parts of the liquid phase of the mixture accumulate above the backfill and form a separating layer between the backfill on the one hand and the brine on the other hand
Implementation Method 2
The backfill material is introduced into the other cavern through the inner pipe. As a result, brine is pressed out of the other cavern through the outer pipe
Data Source
AI summary
In a method according to the invention for backfilling underground cavities filled with, for example, NaCl brine, while simultaneously recovering NaCl brine located in the underground cavities (1, 2), backfill material consisting of a solid phase and a liquid phase is introduced into a lower section (11) of an underground cavity (1), and NaCl brine is extracted from an upper section (13) of the underground cavity (1), wherein a gap exists between the lower section (11) or the backfill forming there from the solid phase and a part of the liquid phase on the one hand, and the upper section (13) or theOn the other hand, the NaCl brine forms a separating layer (16) from the liquid phase of the backfill material not required during the formation of the backfill. At the same time, NaCl brine from the upper section (13) of one underground cavity (1) is introduced into an upper section (20) of another underground cavity (2), and separating layer brine is taken from a separating layer (18) of the other underground cavity (2). In a mixing station (3), powdery backfill materials or...Waste and NaCl brine taken from the upper section (13) of one underground cavity (1) are mixed with the backfill material, and a portion of the NaCl brine taken from the upper section (13) of the other underground cavity (1) is diverted for processing (15), wherein whenever the separating layer (18) in the further underground cavity (2) reaches a predeterminable minimum thickness, the process is changed accordingly and runs in reverse until the separating layer (16) in the first underground cavity (1) reaches the predeterminable minimum thickness.