| US 7,611,208 B2 | ||
| Methods for constructing underground borehole configurations and related solution mining methods | ||
| Roger L. Day, Rifle, Colo. (US); and James A. Herickhoff, Fort Collins, Colo. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Sesqui Mining, LLC, Fort Collins, Colo. (US) | ||
| Filed on Aug. 17, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/206,659. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/602371, filed on Aug. 17, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/602372, filed on Aug. 17, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/615941, filed on Oct. 06, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/669397, filed on Apr. 08, 2005. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0039842 A1, Feb. 23, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. C01D 7/12 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 299—4 [299/5; 166/303; 166/304; 166/310; 423/206.2; 23/297; 23/298; 23/299; 23/302 T] | 25 Claims |
| 1. A method of solution mining of trona, comprising:
a. injecting an aqueous solution into an underground cavity comprising trona to dissolve the trona;
b. removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA
point temperature in the range of 90° C. to 145° C.; and
c. recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises condensed steam produced
by evaporation of water from a solution to produce sodium products.
|