Electric induction heating of underground ore deposits
OwnerSidney T. Fisher, Charles B. Fisherinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of extracting metal from an underground ore body. The body is heated by electric induction to a temperature sufficient to break up the metallic ore compound and liquefy the metal. The metal flows into production wells where it is collected and transported to the surface, as by rapid solidification into powder or pellets in a pressurized gas stream. The electric induction is conveniently effected by passing alternating current through a conductor encompassing that portion of the ore body to be heated.
Claims8
A method of extracting metal from an underground ore body, comprising the electric induction heating in situ of a selected portion of the ore body by means of alternating current of selected voltage, current, waveform and frequency, passed through a conductive path substantially encompassing said selected portion, to a temperature sufficient to permit uncombined metal therein to liquefy, and collecting the metal from at least one well into which it flows.
A method of heating in situ a selected portion of an underground ore body, comprising:
- a. disposing at least one electrical conductor in at least one underground path whose shape and location are chosen to form, when voltage is applied across the ends of said conductor, an electric circuit substantially encompassing said portion;
- and
- b. passing alternating electric current through said conductor of a magnitude and frequency and for a time selected to heat said portion by induction to a desired temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.