GB2285644A - A mine pollution control system - Google Patents
A mine pollution control system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2285644A GB2285644A GB9400367A GB9400367A GB2285644A GB 2285644 A GB2285644 A GB 2285644A GB 9400367 A GB9400367 A GB 9400367A GB 9400367 A GB9400367 A GB 9400367A GB 2285644 A GB2285644 A GB 2285644A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- underflow
- pollution control
- abandoned
- underflow system
- mine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 230000003472 neutralizing effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 230000003245 working effect Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010865 sewage Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 235000014435 Mentha Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 241001072983 Mentha Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000014569 mints Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002352 surface water Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[K+] KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 230000003190 augmentative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000498 cooling water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002270 dispersing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940072033 potash Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 235000015320 potassium carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- BWHMMNNQKKPAPP-UHFFFAOYSA-L potassium carbonate Substances [K+].[K+].[O-]C([O-])=O BWHMMNNQKKPAPP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D31/00—Protective arrangements for foundations or foundation structures; Ground foundation measures for protecting the soil or the subsoil water, e.g. preventing or counteracting oil pollution
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C1/00—Reclamation of contaminated soil
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C1/00—Reclamation of contaminated soil
- B09C1/02—Extraction using liquids, e.g. washing, leaching, flotation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
- E21C41/00—Methods of underground or surface mining; Layouts therefor
- E21C41/32—Reclamation of surface-mined areas
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
- E21F16/00—Drainage
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C2101/00—In situ
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Paleontology (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
Abstract
An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines wherein the abandoned mineworkings are used to form a flow path to an extraction point from where a portion of the insitue mine pollution is extracted, diluted and where necessary treated. By extracting a portion of the insitue pollution the volume, concentration and migration of the remaining pollutant can be kept within environmental limits. Coastal mines may have an offshore extraction unit with dilution, treatment and dispersion equipment installed on the seabed or sea surface. Cyclic tidal action may be used to assist the underflow system. Seawater may be injected to the underflow system for dilution, treatment or circulation of pollutant. Freshwater may be injected to resist the rise of mine pollutant. Treatment material may be injected to form a neutralising layer. Treatment material may be combined with the underflow. Conduits may be constructed and transfer pumps used to assist the underflow system.
Description
AN UNDERFLOW SYSTEM OF POLLUTION CONTROL FOR ABANDONED MINES
This invention relates to an underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines.
It is well known that in the past mines have been abandoned without further consideration.
In more recent times some older mines have been fitted with pumps to keep minewater which rises under atmospheric pressure in check.
It is however the current practice for abandoned mine shafts to be plugged and sealed without any further access or connection.
A case is known of pipes being installed to divert freshwater away from an abandoned mine to prevent it augmenting the volume of mine water.
Disposal of rising minewater from a land based minehead by pipes laid along the seabed to an offshore outflow has been suggested.
An installation exists in which minewater from a group of mines is collected and conveyed by over land pipeline to a central lagoon for settlement and disposal.
When mines are worked and pumped the nature hydrostatic water table above and in the surrounding workings is considerably reduced.
It has been found on occations that the differential pressure between a closed mine and a working mine has caused seepage into the working mine.
When the majority of mines in a coal field are closed the situation changes. Pollution will increase in concentration and volume. Inflowing strata water will react chemically with the mine worked strata. Hydrostatic pressure will equalise firstly in the mineworkings then rise towards the surface.
This will lift pollutant to eventually contaminate surface waters. Any gas formed in the workings will increase this tendancy.
Pipe tunnels have been constructed a short distance under the sea in the past to accommodate power station cooling water inlet and outlets pipes. An undersea pipe tunnel has also been constructed for a potash tailings discharge pipe.
A piped outlet as above from a working mine drainage system has been considered in the past.
In the USA, lakes and reservoirs have been used with porous bases to recharge the water strata for agricultural and domestic purposes. At Thames Water, pipes into the ground recharge water to the strata for the same purpose.
Constructing of an offshore bored and cased hole connecting directly into the undersea workings is previously unknown.
Injection of water as part of a system to restrict the rise of mine pollutant is previously unknown.
The reduction of pollution migration by pressure reduction in the abandoned mine workings is previously unknown.
An underflow system, offshore pollutant extraction, water injection to resist the spread of mine pollution, also treatment injection for mine pollution control are previously unknown.
The combining of an underflow system as described with a sewage handling system is previously unknown.
This invention concerns an underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines wherein abandoned mine workings are used to form a flow path towards a point at which the pollutant rather than just topping mine water can be extracted.
In the case of coastal mines with under sea workings extraction would be at an offshore point by a submersible pump in a bored and cased hole drilled from the sea surface and penetrating directly into the under sea mine workings.
The offshore extraction unit, services, dilution, treatment and dispersion equipment may be accommodated either in a subsea unit or on a surface platform.
Power and control may be at the point of extraction or supplied remotely.
Sea water is used as a dilutant, neutraliser and dispersant at the offshore unit. Sea water may also be injected into the underflow system from an offshore or land based injection unit.
Sufficient pollutant is extracted to keep the pollutant concentration and volume in check.
By extraction of pollutant a small differential pressure is established between the underflow, the surrounding strata and mines in close proximity, such that the flow direction is into the underflow system and therefore upward flow towards the surface waters is restricted.
Cyclic tidal pressure may be utilised to assist the underflow system.
Prior to closure and flooding of the mine workings the permeability between adjacent mines can be improved by the construction of conduits and transfer pump installations.
At the time of closure vertical conduits and transfer equipment can be constructed into the mine shaft prior to sealing.
After closure such installation is limited to that which can be achieved by drilling from the surface.
Injection of surface water to the surface water strata level or at the level of the top coal seam workings can recharge the strata before minewater pollution rises to it. The top coal seam workings may also be used to create an anti pollution barrier.
In the case of widely spaced mines or inland coalfields, overland pipes or vehicles may be used to convey the pollutant to an advantage point for treatment and disposal or alternatively injecting into an underflow system at a convenient point.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG 1 Shows a side view of a typical coastal coalfield with undersea workings and an adjacent mine.
FIG 2 Shows a plan view of a typical coastal coal field.
FIG 3 Shows a typical subsea installed extraction and dispersal unit.
FIG 4 Shows a typical offshore platform extraction and dispersal unit.
FIG 5 Shows a typical mine shaft which prior to sealing has been fitted with conduits and transfer equipment.
FIG 1. Shows a diagramatic side view of a coastal coalfield with coastline 1 a water source 2 and abandoned coastal mineshaft 3 abandoned mine workings 4 which form a pollution underflow path shown cross hatched 5 undersea workings 6 from an extension to the underflow path 5.
An adjacent abandoned mine has shaft 7 and mine workings 8 pollution may seep through the strata at 9. Flow from the adjacent mine can be assisted by constructed conduit 10 and transfer pump 11 in transfer bore 12.
An offshore extraction unit 13 comprises a bored and cased hole 14 which penetrates directly into the abandoned undersea workings 6.
Submerged pump 15 is powered by a generator on a buoy 16 as shown in Fig 3 or an offshore platform as shown in Fig 4.
In Fig 1 the natural geological water table is shown by a large broken line at 18. During mineworking water is extracted such that the piesometric pressure is reduced down to the small broken line at 19.
Fig 2 Shows a diagramatic plan view of a coastal coalfield with coast line 1. Water from scource 2 is stored at 20 filtered at 21 transported by pipe 22 to injection point 23.
Injected water is confined to the intended strata by concrete sealing 24 compacted rubble 25 and clay sealing 26. Water may also be injected to the strata via a drilled and cased hole 27.
Treatment materials mixed at 28 are transported by pipe 29 to injection point 30.
Seawater can be injected to the underflow system at injection point 43 situated either offshore or on shore.
Fig 3 Shows a subsea installed extraction unit 13 with bored and cased hole 14 penetrating directly into the undersea workings 6 submerged pump 15 is powered form buoy 16 via power and control line 31 supported by catenery buoy 32. Control of the extraction unit 13 is by control pod 33.
A seawater pump 34 provides seawater for primary dilution.
The extracted and diluted pollutant is discharged through diffuser unit 35 for further dilution by the sea.
Fig 4 Shows an alternative offshore extraction unit 17 in the form of a offshore platform with riser pipe 36.
Seawater lift pump 37 raises dilution water. Also on the platform is a generator in housing 38. Pumps and pipework are in housing 39 pollutant may be aerated at 40 and dispersed by diffuser 41.
Fig 5 Shows a typical abandoned mineshaft such as at 3 or 7 equiped for pollution control by water injection at 23 and treatment injection at 30. Underflow path 5 has a sleeve valve 42 and transfer pump 11 in bore 12.
The mine shaft is plugged in the normal way by concrete 24 at each level. Voids are filled with compacted rubble 25 sealing against gas is by clay sea 26.
FIGS 1.2.5. Also show a diagrammatic view of the underlfow system as applied to widely spaced or inland mines wherein pollutant rather than rising minewater is extracted at a land based point. Extracted pollutant from inland or widely spaced mines is treated or diluted at the minehead. Alternatively it can be transported by pipeline or vehicle, for injection to a treatment station or injected into the underflow system of another mine.
Claims (21)
1 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines wherein the abandoned mine workings are used to form a flow path to an extraction point where a portion of the pollution in the abandoned mine is extracted diluted dispersed and when necessary treated.
By extracting a portion of the insitue pollution, the volume, concentration and migration of the remaining pollutant can be kept within environmental limits.
2 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as described in claim 1 wherein the extraction unit includes an offshore bored and cased hole penetrating directly into the undersea mineworkings. A submerged pump in the casing extracts pollutant which is then treated when necessary, diluted and then dispersed.
3 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mine as described in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the extraction unit, power supply, treatment, dilution and dispersion are accommodated on the seabed.
4 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as described in claim 1, claim 2 wherein an offshore platform houses the extraction unit, power supply, treatment, dilution, dispersion and control equipment.
5 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as described in claim 1 wherein conduits are constructed to assist the flow of pollutant towards the extract point.
6 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as described in claim 1 wherein a bored hole such as a mine shaft is used for the installation of conduits and transfer equipment.
7 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as in claim 1 wherein the abandoned mine is inland.
8 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7 wherein freshwater is injected to resisted the rise of minewater pollution.
9 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein treatment material is injected to form a neutralising layer.
10 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein treatment material is combined with the underflow.
11 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein seawater is collected and injected into the underflow system for dilution, ciculation or treatment.
12 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 and any succeeding claims wherein an underflow system is used in conjunction with an outflow pipe laid along the seabed.
13 An underflow system of pollution control wherein an existing outflow pipe is used as part of the system.
14 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein an underwater diffuser is used to assist dispersion of the pollutant.
15 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein the extracted pollutant is aerated prior to dilution and dispersion.
16 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein cyclic tidal pressure is used to assist the underflow system.
17 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mints as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein power is supplied from a remote scource.
18 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein mine pollution sewage or the like are handled in a combined system.
19 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claimed in claim 1 or any succeeding clains wherein the offshore extraction unit is used to drain a mine so that it can be returned to use.
20 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines as claim 1 or any succeeding claims wherein the system is designed and constructed to allow the working of another mine in close proximity.
21 An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines generally as described in claim 1 or any succeeding claims or as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9400367A GB2285644A (en) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-01-11 | A mine pollution control system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939325123A GB9325123D0 (en) | 1993-12-08 | 1993-12-08 | An underflow system of pollution control for abandoned mines |
| GB9400367A GB2285644A (en) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-01-11 | A mine pollution control system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9400367D0 GB9400367D0 (en) | 1994-03-09 |
| GB2285644A true GB2285644A (en) | 1995-07-19 |
Family
ID=26303986
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9400367A Withdrawn GB2285644A (en) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-01-11 | A mine pollution control system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2285644A (en) |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2278379A (en) * | 1993-05-05 | 1994-11-30 | Stanley Ball | A mine pollution control unit |
-
1994
- 1994-01-11 GB GB9400367A patent/GB2285644A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2278379A (en) * | 1993-05-05 | 1994-11-30 | Stanley Ball | A mine pollution control unit |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9400367D0 (en) | 1994-03-09 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CN105041271B (en) | A kind of buck exploiting ocean natural gas hydrates method and sub-sea production systems | |
| CN100480475C (en) | Controllable one-well lamina precipitation construction method | |
| US6840710B2 (en) | Underground alluvial water storage reservoir and method | |
| US3535884A (en) | Offshore drilling and production structure | |
| US4429740A (en) | Combination gas producing and waste-water disposal well | |
| US6263971B1 (en) | Multiphase production system suited for great water depths | |
| US3552903A (en) | Subsea production satellite | |
| US2747840A (en) | Apparatus for developing underwater reservoirs | |
| EP1210499B1 (en) | Method and system for processing of drilling fluid | |
| US3657895A (en) | Offshore platform | |
| RU2382144C1 (en) | Method of draining of tubelike mineral deposit | |
| US20020180215A1 (en) | Method of producing electricity through injection of water into a well | |
| GB2285644A (en) | A mine pollution control system | |
| CN104695902A (en) | Hydraulic flushing system | |
| TW201544660A (en) | Water intake method and water intake tunnel system of deep ocean water | |
| GB1367881A (en) | Hydraulic engineering installations | |
| RU2465405C2 (en) | Drainage method of open pit edges by means of systems of combined drainage devices | |
| US5518341A (en) | Production fluid assembly for remote offshore facilities storage | |
| RU2149249C1 (en) | Underwater drilling device | |
| RU2218519C1 (en) | Method and device for transportation of liquid | |
| RU2167826C2 (en) | Plant for defferization of underground waters in bed | |
| RU2142538C1 (en) | Pumping station | |
| KR100935439B1 (en) | Environmental-friendly trenchless excavation submarine conduit line burying method and system | |
| CN209838382U (en) | Deep sea natural gas hydrate water-riser-free exploration system | |
| RU79614U1 (en) | UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION FOR HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |