The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 1982
Filed:
Oct. 31, 1977
Bert J Warner, Dallas, TX (US);
Melwyn L Mathis, Arlington, TX (US);
Warren F Johnson, Dallas, TX (US);
Mobil Oil Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for mixing a gaseous oxidant (e.g., oxygen) and a lixiviant (e.g., an aqueous carbonate solution) at a downhole location before the oxygen-saturated lixiviant is injected into a formation to be leached. The invention involves establishing a mixing zone in the well by positioning a mixing means, comprising a housing, in the well at the downhole location. Lixiviant is flowed down the well and through a restrictive opening in the housing to substantially increase the flow velocity of the lixiviant. At the same time, gaseous oxidant is fed to the housing and is trapped therein by the increased velocity of the lixiviant and by packing material in said housing. The lixiviant flows through the trapped oxidant which, in turn, dissolves into the lixiviant to saturate same. Additional packing material is provided in the housing to remove undissolved oxidant from the saturated lixiviant before it is injected into a formation to be leached.