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. 11, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1998
Michael W Baum, Price, UT (US);
Gary L Barker, Price, UT (US);
William H Hensley, Memphis, TN (US);
Donald Simpson, Tucson, AZ (US);
Kenneth Henderson, Joseph, UT (US);
Mueller Industries, Inc., Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and in-situ method for immobilizing mine drainage from spent mine works. This apparatus and preferred method are readily adapted for use in any mine, but particularly well-suited for mines which are located on steep hills or mountain sides having limited infrastructure to permit access for utilities and construction equipment. The present invention utilizes known technology for erecting a bulkhead in the portal of a mine drift, providing a distribution system for controlling drainage of mine water collected behind the bulkhead, mixing the mine water with a constituent to form a slurry, and introducing the slurry into the sealed mine. The present invention has the advantage of neutralizing the mine water to make discharges, if any, acceptable; precipitating dissolved metal out of the mine water within the sealed mine; and further sealing fissures that create seepage from the sealed mine.