Solution mining and a crystallizer for use therein

Abstract

In solution mining, holes are drilled parallel to the ground in the ore body to form a series of zigzag channels. These holes are connected to respective holes from the surface to provide a feed and delivery path and a solvent is circulated through the system so as to dissolve the ore and carry the ore to the surface. The flow of the solvent through the holes forms circular caverns at the intersection of the horizontal hole as well as meanders by eroding the holes so as to gradually extract the ore on each side of the hole. At the surface the ore is extracted in a series of crystallizers each formed by a vessel with an exterior cooling system and an internal wiping system providing shear inside the vessel. The solvent is topped up, reheated and returned to the paths to continue the process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.