US3724898A - Solution mining of salt and storage of industrial fluids - Google Patents

Solution mining of salt and storage of industrial fluids Download PDF

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Publication number
US3724898A
US3724898A US00128768A US3724898DA US3724898A US 3724898 A US3724898 A US 3724898A US 00128768 A US00128768 A US 00128768A US 3724898D A US3724898D A US 3724898DA US 3724898 A US3724898 A US 3724898A
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United States
Prior art keywords
cavity
salt
brine
chlorine
storage
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00128768A
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English (en)
Inventor
C Jacoby
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Akzo Nobel Salt Inc
Original Assignee
International Salt Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Salt Co filed Critical International Salt Co
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Publication of US3724898A publication Critical patent/US3724898A/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/28—Dissolving minerals other than hydrocarbons, e.g. by an alkaline or acid leaching agent
    • E21B43/281—Dissolving minerals other than hydrocarbons, e.g. by an alkaline or acid leaching agent using heat
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01D—COMPOUNDS OF ALKALI METALS, i.e. LITHIUM, SODIUM, POTASSIUM, RUBIDIUM, CAESIUM, OR FRANCIUM
    • C01D3/00—Halides of sodium, potassium or alkali metals in general
    • C01D3/04—Chlorides
    • C01D3/08—Preparation by working up natural or industrial salt mixtures or siliceous minerals

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A system for solution mining a salt deposit and simultaneously storing an industrial fluid, while conserving system heat input and minimizing earth surface polluting impurity extractions from an underground salt deposit.
  • the invention provides an improved method for conserving system input heat, and utilizing it to improve a solution mining operation in an underground salt mineral deposit; whereby to produce a purified brine at reduced cost.
  • the system provides an improved underground storage system for industrial fluid commodities such as liquid chlorine; carbon tetrachloride; carbon bisulfide, and the like.
  • This invention relates to the mining of soluble minerals and concomitant storage of fluid commodities; and more particularly to the mining of sodium chloride or other such soluble mineral salt deposits including impurities; the absolute and relative solubilities of which vary with temperature and/or pressure changes. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved process for simultaneously beneficiating and mining salt from a rock salt deposit, as discussed for example in commonly assigned US. Pat. Nos. 2,555,340; 2,876,182 and 3,348,883.
  • sources of salt such as mined rock salt, usually consists of sodium chloride to the extent of about 90 to 99 percent; the balance being impurities such as sulphates, silicates, carbonates, etc.; calcium sulphate being the principal impurity.
  • impurities such as sulphates, silicates, carbonates, etc.
  • calcium sulphate being the principal impurity.
  • impure salts have been refined" in some instances by treatment of saline solutions obtained directly from wells, or from water-solutions produced by dissolving previously mined impure rock salt substances in water or other suitable solvents, by the use of vacuum-evaporator systems.
  • rock salt in situ is an exceptionally high rate heat conductive medium compared to the other geological formations environmental thereto.
  • a typical rock salt solution mining operation in a horizontally disposed rock salt deposit employing heated water as the mining solvent is inherently beset with huge and expensive operational heat input losses, due to the rapid dissipation of heat from the solvent solution through the relatively broad surface areas of the floor and ceiling of the solution cavity.
  • Such heat losses typically account for enormous operating heat supply requirements, such as may render an operation marginally profitable or unprofitable; and it is specifically an ob ject of the present invention to provide an improved operative system and technique for such purposes; whereby to realize substantial product improvement and plant completion investment and operating economies.
  • Another object is to provide an improved system as aforesaid whereby to better conserve the heat involved in a solution mining operation, while usefully and simultaneously storing a liquid or gas commodity.
  • FIGURE illustrates diagrammatically by way of a vertical sectional view, a geological formation including a typical salt bed in process of being mined in accordance with the present invention.
  • the invention is embodied in a system for simultaneously mining a purified sodium chloride salt product from an underground deposit of relatively impure rock salt or the like, while simultaneously storing a reserve supply of liquid chlorine.
  • the invention is illustrated as being employed in conjunction with a solution mining system wherein a reserve supply of liquid chlorine is disposed to cover the bottom of the solution cavity while a heat insulating pneumatic pad of air (or nitrogen, Freon, krypton, xenon, neon, argon, benzine or other light hydrocarbons, or the like) is maintained on top of the solvent circulating within the cavity, so as to heat-insulate the solvent from the roof of the cavity.
  • a reserve supply of liquid chlorine is disposed to cover the bottom of the solution cavity while a heat insulating pneumatic pad of air (or nitrogen, Freon, krypton, xenon, neon, argon, benzine or other light hydrocarbons, or the like) is maintained on top of the solvent circulating within the cavity, so as to heat-insulate the solvent
  • the invention may be usefully applied to the mining of other forms of soluble mineral deposits, such as sodium borate, potash, and the like; and to the storage of liquid commodities other than chlorine, such as carbon tetrachloride, carbon bisulphide, or the like.
  • the mining solvent preferably comprises water or dilute brine which is heated at the earth surface plant
  • the'pads of air and chlorine or the like function as efficient heat insulating devices operating to conserve the heat of the solvent supply.
  • the inverse solubility characteristic of sodium chloride vs. calcium sulphate (a common impurity) is thus utilized to improved advantage to minimize dissolution of impurities into the product brine at the situs of the solution mining action.
  • the cavity is maintained under sufficient pressure so as to keep the chlorine or other commodity in liquid state; whereby the cavity also provides an ideal reserve chlorine supply storage facility.
  • the solution mining cavity is illustrated by way of example in the drawing herewith at 10, and is interconnected with the well head and surface plant facility as illustrated diagrammatically at 12 by means of a single well bore 14.
  • the well bore is lined by means of an outer casing 16 inside of which progressively reduced diameter tubings 18-20-22 are hung.
  • the outer casing 16 is preferably anchored to the bore hole wall as by means of concrete or the like as indicated at 24.
  • the central tube 22 extends at its nether end beyond the lower level of the casing 20 and is fitted at its upper end with a supply conduit and control valve arrangement as indicated at 26, whereby liquid chlorine or the like (as explained hereinabove) may be pumped into the cavity under pressure so as to provide the liquid chlorine pad across the bottom of the solution cavity.
  • the casing 18 terminates at its lower end at a level somewhat higher than the lower end of the casing 20, and thus the annular space between the casings 18 and 20 provides the passageway for inlet of solvent (such as hot water or heated dilute brine). The solvent is thereby circulated throughout the solution cavity to provide a concentrated brine solution which then exits from the solution cavity upwardly through the annular space provided between the tubing 22 and the casing 20.
  • solvent such as hot water or heated dilute brine
  • Supply of solvent to the system is provided for at the surface plant facility and is controlled by an inlet control valve unit as illustrated at 28; while the brine product exits from the casing 20 through means of an outlet conduit and control valve arrangement as illustrated at 30.
  • the outer casing 16 terminates at its lower end at an elevation somewhat higher than the bottom level of the casing 18, and thus the annular space between the casings l6 and 18 provides a passageway for supply of air (or other gaseous material) whereby to maintain the upper heat insulating pad within the cavity above the body of solvent as it circulates throughout the cavity in contact with the peripheral walls thereof. Control of the supply and level of air or other gas in the cavity is maintained by means of an inlet conduit and control valve as shown at 32.
  • the chlorine or similar commodity is maintainable in the cavity under pressure pending its recovery and use, it functions in the meantime as a heat insulating blanket between the floor of the cavity and the body of solvent and brine as it circulates around the cavity walls; while the pneumatic pad heat-insulates the brine from the roof of the cavity.
  • the height of rock salt wall or face exposed to the solvent is readily controlled by adjustments of the pneumatic and chlorine levels; and thus it will be understood that the mining operation may be readily controlled through simple adjustments of the valve devices at the surface plant facility. In this manner the rate of flow of materials through the system, as well as the temperatures and pressures thereon, may be effectively monitored to maintain the optimum processing conditions for full utilization of the inverse solubility phenomenon as explained hereinabove.
  • a salt mine comprising,
  • a salt mine according to claim 2 wherein the liquid commodity ischlorine and the means for supplying chlorine to the cavity isa central pipe and concentric with it are annular passageways for flowing hot water to the cavity and brine away from the cavity.
  • a method of mining salt from the sides of a cavity in a salt deposit without removing salt from the top and bottom thereof which comprises,
  • a cavity in a salt deposit in any suitable order chlorine and water or brine, and a fluid of low conductivity which is lighter than the water or brine and chlorine whereby to fill the cavity with three layers of fluids, comprising liquid chlorine at the bottom; brine at an intermediate level, and the lightweight fluid in the upper portion of the cavity; adding water or unsaturated brine to the cavity at a temperature substantially higher than that of the salt deposit surrounding said cavity and removing a brine of higher concentration from the cavity, whereby the cavity is enlarged at the sides thereof from which the salt has been solution mined.
  • first heat insulating layer covering and in contact with the floor area of said cavity and a second heat insulating layer covering and in contact with the roof area of said cavity and continuously introducing a liquid solvent for said salt into said cavity while simultaneously continuously withdrawing said solvent with the salt dissolved therein from said cavity
  • said first heat insulating layer consisting of a storage liquid which is a nonsolvent for the salt and is more dense than said solvent
  • said second heat insulating layer consisting of a gas, and said solvent being introduced from a surface facility at a temperature substantially higher than that of said cavity

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
US00128768A 1971-03-29 1971-03-29 Solution mining of salt and storage of industrial fluids Expired - Lifetime US3724898A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12876871A 1971-03-29 1971-03-29

Publications (1)

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US3724898A true US3724898A (en) 1973-04-03

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US00128768A Expired - Lifetime US3724898A (en) 1971-03-29 1971-03-29 Solution mining of salt and storage of industrial fluids

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3724898A (ref)
FR (1) FR2132135B1 (ref)
GB (1) GB1396381A (ref)
IT (1) IT959490B (ref)
NL (1) NL7200734A (ref)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3914945A (en) * 1973-06-06 1975-10-28 Solvay Process for disposing of the effluents from the distillers of ammonia-soda plants
FR2571093A1 (fr) * 1984-09-28 1986-04-04 Armines Procede d'extraction hydraulique par sondage en terrain aquifere.
US4596490A (en) * 1984-03-15 1986-06-24 Texas Brine Corporation Underground storage chambers and methods therefore
US4906135A (en) * 1988-02-04 1990-03-06 Brassow Carl L Method and apparatus for salt dome storage of hazardous waste
US5004298A (en) * 1988-06-02 1991-04-02 Geostock S.A.R.L. Method of rapidly abandoning large cavities washed-out in rock salt
US5135734A (en) * 1988-10-26 1992-08-04 Solvay & Cie (Societe Anonyme) Process for removing a residue containing sodium sulphate
US5310282A (en) * 1993-02-16 1994-05-10 Voskamp Thomas A Hydrocarbon recovery from drilling mud stored in salt cavity
US5431482A (en) * 1993-10-13 1995-07-11 Sandia Corporation Horizontal natural gas storage caverns and methods for producing same
US5669734A (en) * 1995-11-29 1997-09-23 Texas Brine Corporation Process for making underground storage caverns
RU2221148C2 (ru) * 2001-12-26 2004-01-10 Смирнов Вячеслав Иванович Способ захоронения жидких отходов в виде рассола, содержащегося в подземной соляной камере
RU2303133C1 (ru) * 2006-01-31 2007-07-20 Государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования СИБИРСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ИНДУСТРИАЛЬНЫЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ Способ транспортировки отходов производства в подземные выработки
US20090013697A1 (en) * 2003-09-04 2009-01-15 David Charles Landry Simultaneous Underground Cavern Development and Fluid Storage
CN101881151A (zh) * 2010-07-02 2010-11-10 太原理工大学 一种快速溶解的盐岩溶腔建造方法
US20120207552A1 (en) * 2011-02-10 2012-08-16 Cellular Concrete Solutions Llc Submerged void fillng
CN101749004B (zh) * 2009-12-25 2013-03-13 中国科学院地质与地球物理研究所 含夹层盐岩地下油气库水溶造腔控制方法
CN106481360A (zh) * 2016-05-11 2017-03-08 江苏井神盐化股份有限公司 一种双井不对称采卤快速建造盐穴储库工艺
RU2628559C2 (ru) * 2014-07-15 2017-08-18 ООО "ПТЦ "Геосалт" Способ захоронения шламовых отходов в эксплуатируемой подземной соляной камере
US20230294920A1 (en) * 2022-03-17 2023-09-21 Aramco Services Company Method to enhance subsurface gas storage in salt caverns
US12612254B2 (en) 2023-03-17 2026-04-28 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method of enhancing methane storage capacity in salt caverns

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1960932A (en) * 1933-07-21 1934-05-29 Solvay Process Co Method of mining
US2772868A (en) * 1954-01-18 1956-12-04 Phillips Petroleum Co Apparatus for control of roof location in the formation of underground caverns by solution mining
US3151462A (en) * 1960-03-30 1964-10-06 Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co Method of storing liquid chlorine
US3236564A (en) * 1964-07-16 1966-02-22 Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co Mining method

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR364055A (fr) * 1906-03-12 1906-08-13 Philippe Genreau Emploi de l'air comprimé, du pétrole, des huiles de schiste comme matelas protecteur du plafond d'une chambre de corrosion dans une exploitation par dissolution
US3326606A (en) * 1965-03-16 1967-06-20 Continental Oil Co Method of washing caverns in salt formation
US3421794A (en) * 1966-09-27 1969-01-14 Int Salt Co Solution mining and refining minerals

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1960932A (en) * 1933-07-21 1934-05-29 Solvay Process Co Method of mining
US2772868A (en) * 1954-01-18 1956-12-04 Phillips Petroleum Co Apparatus for control of roof location in the formation of underground caverns by solution mining
US3151462A (en) * 1960-03-30 1964-10-06 Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co Method of storing liquid chlorine
US3236564A (en) * 1964-07-16 1966-02-22 Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co Mining method

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3914945A (en) * 1973-06-06 1975-10-28 Solvay Process for disposing of the effluents from the distillers of ammonia-soda plants
US4596490A (en) * 1984-03-15 1986-06-24 Texas Brine Corporation Underground storage chambers and methods therefore
FR2571093A1 (fr) * 1984-09-28 1986-04-04 Armines Procede d'extraction hydraulique par sondage en terrain aquifere.
US4906135A (en) * 1988-02-04 1990-03-06 Brassow Carl L Method and apparatus for salt dome storage of hazardous waste
US5004298A (en) * 1988-06-02 1991-04-02 Geostock S.A.R.L. Method of rapidly abandoning large cavities washed-out in rock salt
US5135734A (en) * 1988-10-26 1992-08-04 Solvay & Cie (Societe Anonyme) Process for removing a residue containing sodium sulphate
US5310282A (en) * 1993-02-16 1994-05-10 Voskamp Thomas A Hydrocarbon recovery from drilling mud stored in salt cavity
US5431482A (en) * 1993-10-13 1995-07-11 Sandia Corporation Horizontal natural gas storage caverns and methods for producing same
US5669734A (en) * 1995-11-29 1997-09-23 Texas Brine Corporation Process for making underground storage caverns
RU2221148C2 (ru) * 2001-12-26 2004-01-10 Смирнов Вячеслав Иванович Способ захоронения жидких отходов в виде рассола, содержащегося в подземной соляной камере
US20090013697A1 (en) * 2003-09-04 2009-01-15 David Charles Landry Simultaneous Underground Cavern Development and Fluid Storage
RU2303133C1 (ru) * 2006-01-31 2007-07-20 Государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования СИБИРСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ИНДУСТРИАЛЬНЫЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ Способ транспортировки отходов производства в подземные выработки
CN101749004B (zh) * 2009-12-25 2013-03-13 中国科学院地质与地球物理研究所 含夹层盐岩地下油气库水溶造腔控制方法
CN101881151A (zh) * 2010-07-02 2010-11-10 太原理工大学 一种快速溶解的盐岩溶腔建造方法
CN101881151B (zh) * 2010-07-02 2012-12-26 太原理工大学 一种快速溶解的盐岩溶腔建造方法
US20120207552A1 (en) * 2011-02-10 2012-08-16 Cellular Concrete Solutions Llc Submerged void fillng
US9175452B2 (en) * 2011-02-10 2015-11-03 Cellular Concrete Solutions, LLC Submerged void filling
RU2628559C2 (ru) * 2014-07-15 2017-08-18 ООО "ПТЦ "Геосалт" Способ захоронения шламовых отходов в эксплуатируемой подземной соляной камере
CN106481360A (zh) * 2016-05-11 2017-03-08 江苏井神盐化股份有限公司 一种双井不对称采卤快速建造盐穴储库工艺
US20230294920A1 (en) * 2022-03-17 2023-09-21 Aramco Services Company Method to enhance subsurface gas storage in salt caverns
US12397994B2 (en) * 2022-03-17 2025-08-26 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method to enhance subsurface gas storage in salt caverns
US12428231B2 (en) 2022-03-17 2025-09-30 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method of enhancing carbon dioxide storage capacity in salt caverns
US12612254B2 (en) 2023-03-17 2026-04-28 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method of enhancing methane storage capacity in salt caverns

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2132135B1 (ref) 1976-03-05
NL7200734A (ref) 1972-10-03
FR2132135A1 (ref) 1972-11-17
DE2215144B2 (de) 1975-07-24
DE2215144A1 (de) 1972-10-26
IT959490B (it) 1973-11-10
GB1396381A (en) 1975-06-04

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