Electrokinetic In-Situ Uranium Leaching Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-situ leaching of uranium is limited by low permeability in uranium ore, leading to inefficient mining and high energy consumption, as existing methods struggle to enhance permeability and leaching efficiency, especially in conventional permeable sandstones.
Innovation Solution
An electrokinetic device and method involving an injection well, pumping well, positive electrode, negative electrode, and direct current power supply are used to promote the migration of uranium-carrying ions through the application of an electric field, improving permeability and porosity, and enhancing uranium mining efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional in-situ leaching is used in low-permeability uranium ore (permeability < 0.1 m/d), then mining can proceed, but leaching efficiency is extremely low and energy consumption is high due to continuous pumping required to maintain cone of depression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pumping system with an electrokinetic system. Instead of using mechanical pumps to maintain cone of depression and drive leaching solution through the ore body, the invention applies electric fields to drive ion migration through electroosmosis and electrophoresis. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous high-energy pumping while maintaining effective leaching in low-permeability formations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving mechanism parameter from hydraulic pressure gradient to electric field gradient. By applying voltage between injection and production wells, the system creates electrokinetic flow that overcomes the low permeability barrier. This parameter change enables efficient uranium recovery in formations where conventional hydraulic methods fail due to excessive energy requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If physical methods such as in-situ blasting and hydraulic fracturing are used to enhance permeability, then permeability can be improved, but implementation on site is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical enhancement methods (blasting, hydraulic fracturing) with an electrokinetic system. Instead of physically fracturing the rock to create flow paths, the invention uses electric fields to drive fluid and ion movement through existing pore spaces. This approach achieves effective permeability enhancement without the complexity and safety issues of mechanical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electric field as an intermediary to enhance permeability effects. Rather than directly mechanically altering the rock structure, the electric field mediates the process by driving electroosmotic flow and ion migration, which effectively enhances the movement of leaching solution through the ore body without requiring physical fracturing or blasting.
3Stability of the object's composition
If chemical methods such as surfactants and inorganic acids are used to enhance permeability, then some permeability enhancement can be achieved, but the enhancement ability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrokinetic driving force with chemical leaching processes. By combining electric field-driven electroosmosis with surfactant and acid chemistry, the system achieves synergistic effects that overcome the limited permeability enhancement of chemical methods alone. The electric field amplifies the effectiveness of chemical agents by driving them more forcefully through the ore body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving force parameter from purely chemical (surface tension, pH gradients) to electrochemical (electric field gradient). This parameter change transforms the limited chemical permeability enhancement into a more powerful electrokinetic-driven process, significantly improving the ability to move leaching solutions through low-permeability formations.
4Productivity
If preferential flows exist during in-situ leaching, then leaching agent can flow through the system, but only a small part of orebodies is contacted resulting in long mining cycle and low efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic flow distribution with electrokinetic field distribution. Electric fields naturally distribute more uniformly through the ore body compared to hydraulic flow, which follows preferential pathways. This substitution ensures that the leaching agent reaches a larger portion of the uranium ore, reducing the mining cycle and improving overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies equipotential electrodes (such as mesh or cage electrodes) that create a uniform electric field distribution throughout the ore body. This equipotential approach ensures uniform current density and electroosmotic flow distribution, eliminating preferential flow paths and ensuring comprehensive contact between leaching agent and uranium minerals throughout the entire ore zone.
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
The electrokinetic method effectively reduces chemical clogging, limits pollutant migration, and significantly improves uranium mining efficiency in conventional permeable sandstones by applying an electric field to drive uranium-carrying ions, thereby enhancing permeability and porosity.
Implementation Method 1
The direct current power supply is respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and is configured to apply direct current between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to promote the pooling of uranium-carrying ions towards the pumping well
Implementation Method 2
apply direct current between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to promote the pooling of uranium-carrying ions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electrokinetic device and method for in-situ leaching of uranium. The electrokinetic device for in-situ leaching of uranium includes an injection well, a pumping well, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, leaching solution, and a direct current power supply. Uranium ore is provided between the injection well and the pumping well, the negative electrode is arranged in the injection well, and the positive electrode is arranged in the pumping well. The leaching solution is injected from the injection well, flows through the uranium ore, and then is pumped from the pumping well for uranium extraction. The direct current power supply is respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and is configured to apply direct current between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to promote the pooling of uranium-carrying ions towards the pumping well.