US870620A - Mining sulfur. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED Nov. 12, 1907.

H. FRASGH. MINING SULFUR. APPLIOATION PILB'D 01712150.1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

EU n van foz No. 870,620. l PATENTEDNOV. 12, 1907.

H. BRASGH. MINING SULFUR.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.30,1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

H ERMAN FRASCH, OF NEW YORK; N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE FRASCH SULPHUR PROCESS COMPANY, OF KITTERY, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

MrNING SULFUR.

Patented Nov. 12, 1907.

Application filed October 30. 1903. Serial No. 179,232.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN FRAscH, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, and county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mining Sulfur, of which the following is a specification'. i

This invention relates more particularly to the obtainment of sulfur from an underground deposit by melting the sulfur therein and removing it therefrom in the melted condition; but each of the improvements constituting` the invention is intended to be secured for .all `the uses to which the same, with or without modification, may be adapted.

Heretofore I obtained a patent, No. 461,429, dated October 20, 1891, for the process of obtaining sulfur in' the'y aforesaid manner, and a patent, No. 461,430, also dated October 20, 1891, for apparatus to be used in so obtaining the' same. In accordance with what was then considered the best mode of working, water heated to a temperature above the melting point of sulfur was introduced through suitable piping into the underground deposit and afterwards returned by other piping to the surface of the ground at a temperature somewhat lower, but still above the melting point of sulfur. The sulfur, `melted in the underground deposit, was raised to the surface through a proper pipe by the pressure produced 4in the deposit by pumping the hot water thereinto (the return water being held under sufficient pressure) or by the direct lifting action of a pump placed in' the deposit. Subsequently, to wit, on May 27, 1897,

`I filed an application (officially numbered 638,357) for a patent oncertain improvements, which were more particularly designed for the obtainment of sulfur as aforesaid from deposits in porous rodk, flooded with natural water, such as had been encountered in actual working., Without here attempting a full recital, it

. may be observed that saidapplication discloses, among tainable in the porous deposit.

density of said column low enough for its pressure to bev overbalanced by the otherwise inadequate pressure at- The raising of the melted sulfur as set forth in my said application has been found satisfactorytf'and the present invention does not concern itself with that part of the general proce. The melting of the sulfur as set forth in said application, while correct in principle, has been found to admit of some further improvements; and to` it the present invention relates. By melting as described in said application, the expense per ton of sulfur obtained is decreased andthe average yield of sulfur per well increased beyond anything believed to be possible in the case of a water flooded porous deposit with a circulation (that is, with introduction and return) ofhotswater; but, nevertheless, such melting has not, for all wells, given the expected results.' In several instances wells had to be abandoned at a loss; because there was no recovery from them -of sulfur sufficient to compensate forl the expense connected with the installation and working. I have discovered'that the difficulty was lmainly due to the water naturally present in the rock, whose existence I knew about and the effects of -which I partly appreciated and had largely succeeded in cou'nteracting by proceeding as set forth in my said application; although the difficulty seems (as I have also discovered) to be due in part to the existence in or above the deposit of passages so large as to allow much hot water to flow away without proper effect.

In accordance with the present invention, comminuted material (sawdust is considered the best and is more especially claimed, although my claim extends also to suitable comminuted material in general) is in troduced into the ,deposit so as to fill the larger passages in the rock and thus effect the distribution of the hot water more uniformly in the neighborhood of the pipe up which the sulfur is raised. Eurther in accordance with the present invention the rate at which the hot water is sent into the underground deposit and caused to flow away through the rock is increased suiciently beyond the rate mentioned in my said application to my said application, by way of example and as illustrating what was then considered the best mode of working, three heaters for the fusion water are shown and one hundred and twenty five gallons of water. per minute is mentioned as cold water supply for a single heater. To this would be added the water from condensing steam necessary to raise the cold water to the steams temperature, say, a total for the three heaters shown of about 500 gallons (about two'tons in weight) of hot water introduced each minute into the mine (or the rock. In accordance with the present invention, this rate of about 500 gallons (or two tons) per minute is materially increased. The rate of about 1,250 /gallons (say, about five tns) per minute has been found to give satisfactory results; but there is reason to beresults; and it is not intended to restrictythe claim on this feature of the present vinvention to a delivery of prevent the inroads into the melting space of the natu-(Rl rally present water from the surrounding rock. In

underground deposit) and caused to flow away through lieve that-a further increase would give atleast as good 1,250 gallons (5 tons) per minute as either a minimum or a maximum.

In order to increase the rate of delivery of hot water into the deposit Without increasing the size of the mine i piping, it is found expedient to supply such water to the mine piping at a pressure abovel that which corre- -sponds with its temperature when it leaves the heaters;

is applied when the underground porous deposit does not admit a pressure therein equal even to the pressure corresponding with the temperature of the hot Water,

when added to the pressure of a water column the length of the mine piping.

Other parts, improvements or combinations are lincluded in the invention as hereinafter set forth.

' lhe invention includes 4the apparatus herein set forth, its parts, improvements and combinations as specified. I

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification: Figures l and 2 are diagrams pf a sulfur-mining plant, Fig. 1 being partly in verticalvsection and` partly in elevation and 2 in plan. Fig. 1a is a'detail view,'showing a valve on the sulfur pipe, and Fig. 1b a detail view, showing a part of a water heater.

The feathered arrows show the flow of steam or air, the unfeathered arrows without cross-bar the flow of water, and the unfeathered arrows with crossbar the i iow of melted sulfur, the same being mingled with air. So far as concerns the well itself, a single line of mine piping could be used alternately to introduce the hot waterrwithout return, into the underground deposit and`to convey the melted sulfur to the surface of the ground;, but it is better to use at least two lines of piping, one Vfor conveying the hot water and the other for raising the melted sulfur, and, when not so employed and it is so desired, for conveying hot water to the deposit; and it is still better to use two lines of hot water piping in addition to the sulfur pipe.

The pipe A is sunk through the ground to the rock; and a hole in continuation of the pipe bore is drilled into or through the sulfur-bearing deposit C, the rock B immediately below the pipe A being strengthened (when'considered necessary or expedientlby cement. In an application ofFebruary`6, 1905, which is oicially numbered 244,508, and is in part a continuation of my hereinabove mentioned application of May 27 1897, I have more fully described such strengthening of the rock; `and I have also specified. the same in claims which I have made in said application 244,508. When the well hole is ready, the inner hot Water pipe D, the sulfur pipe E and a pipe F for discharging compressed air'into the lower part of the column of melted sulfur are inserted. The hot water pipe D (as shown) has a plug D with a perforation therein through which the sulfur pipe E passes. On said plug D the collar E of said pipe E rests. The lower end of the pipe E (as shown) opens into a strainer D formed by an extension of the pipe D. The wall of the pipe D just above the plug D is perforated for the escape of hot Water into the mine. The wall of the straineii'D/ is perforated so as to let in the melted sulfur, but to keep out solid particles. Y

The piping is best made of iron or steel with a protecting layer of a metal, such as zinc or aluminium,- which is not corroded by sulfur, over those portions of the piping liable to be in lcontact with the melted sulfur. i

As so far described, the well is the same as shown in my said application 638,357. It could, of course, be otherwise constructed, so far as the present invention is concerned; since this latter contemplates any proper piping for conveying the h'ot water'into the mine without return and for removing the melted sulfur' therefrom. A feature of the prese'ntinvention consists, however, in introducing hot water which flows away underground partly through the sulfur pipe and partly through a separate hot water piping, the introduction of hot water through the sulfur'pipe being, of course,

when desired, to the sulfur pipe. The branch e' serves to convey the melted sulfur and is closed by a stopcock e (Fig. la), when the sulfur pipe is used for introducing hot water into the deposit. The stop-cock Aon the branch e may be of any suitable description.

Its construction is no part of the present invention. I have, however, devised a valve which is specially adapted for pipes which convey melted sulfur, the same forming the subject of my application No. 179,231, filed of even date herewith; and Fig. 1a exhibits such valve in elevation.

At' d and a are valved branches for supplying hot water to the mine pipes D and A, respectively. The pipe A may advantageously be ten inches in interior diameter, the pipe D six inches, the ypip-e E three inches, and the pipe F one inch. The length of the pipes'will, of course, depend upon the depth of the Y sulfur deposit below the surface of the ground.

So far as concerns the heating of the water to above the melting point of sulfur, any suitable heaters may be used; but it is considered advantageous and a special improvement to employ those in which live steam of appropriate temperature is condensed in the water to be heated. "Six heaters G of this description are shown. Each of them receives the live steam from the steam main K through a valved branch 2 and the water to be heated from the cold water main L through a valved branch 3. The water is, of course, delivered under sufficient pressure to force itself into the heaterv against the pressure of the live steam therein. This may be advantageously 9 0 pounds t'o the square inch above atmospheric premure, or even more, if steam of the higher pressure and temperature be found not to make the fusion water so hot that it would render the sulfur in the pipe E pasty and thereby interfere with its flow. Steam of between and 100 pounds pressure has been successfully used. Each heater G has appliances inside for bringing the water and steam 'into intimate contact with each other, so that the water attains the steams temperature. Preferably the appliances of my said application of May 27, 1897, No. 638,357, would be used. vThey consist (see Fig. 1b) of a stack of pans g (a few of which only are shown) set one upon another and held apart by the legs, by

they are supported. In the bottom oi each pan are perforations surrounded by low rims, so that each from the other matters of said application oiMay 27,

1897, said-means have been made the subject of a divisional application which was filed February 6, l1905, and has been oicially numbered 244,510.

A Each heater discharges the hot water through a valved branch pipe 4 into the iirsthot water main M. From this main the pumps N are supplied, each through a- -valved branch 5. As shown, n is the pump cylinder,

n the steam cylinder, and n the rod between the pistons oi a pump. The pumps N deliver the hot water each through a valved branch 6 into the second hot water main P, 'which supplies it through the branches #and a to theihot water mine piping D and -A and also through the branch e to the sulfur pipe E, when this is not being used for elevation of sulfur andI it is desired to send hot water down it into the deposit.-

By the operation ofthe pumps N, the water which 'left the heaters G at the temperature corresponding with its pressure, namely, at ,the temperature of the live steam `in the heaters G, to the' pressure of which steam it was subjected, is supplied to the mine piping at a higher pressure.` Thus more. hot water is delivered through given mine piping than would be the case if such water was'delivered to said piping at the pressure 'corresponding with its temperature o n leaving the heaters G. i' I With pipes A and D of ten-inch and six-inch bores, respectively, the rate at which the hot water is' sent in'tolthe underground deposit by the pumps N through said pipes `and caused to -iiow away underground can .be increased sufficiently beyond the rate mentioned in my said application to prevent inroads from the surrounding rock of the waterl naturally present therein and thereby to increase materially the amount oi sulfur'which` can 'be obtained from a 'well.-.having hot water pipes of the respective bores named.

The hot water may be sent by the pumps N into the deposit G at the rate of about 1,250 gallons (about five tons in weight) per minute; vand its introduction at this rate has resulted in obtaining a much larger average yield of sulfur from wells than was obtained when the hot water was introduced at the lesser rate mentionedy in mysaid application. T he difference is evidently not due merely to theamount of hot water inf troduce'd; for in such case the wells would in the end yield on the average a's. much sulfur with the slower as with the more rapid introduction of the hot water. A time element is involved, the-effect of'which could not be, as in fact it was not, anticipated.

Should it appear that the sulfur is not melting properly (as shown, for example, by the slackening of the yield of melted sulfur), or that the vhot water is notl "suiiiciently distributed in the neighborhood ofthe well `(asshown by the free working of the pumps N and 1 the appearance of the water glasses attached'to the heaters G) and especially if, as is most apt 'to be the case, the process appears to be working improperly in both these respects,l sawdust is pumped into the mine Piping- For this purpose a mixing tank Q is shown, having a stirrer q, a water supply 7, and a discharge pipe 8 leading to the inlet of one of the pumps N. The stirrer q is lessimportant than the other parts, as the stirring .supply 7 may deliver water at about 212 F.; but it is not essential that the tank be open; nor is any particular temperature essential for the water which is introduced intoithe tank Q for mixing with the sawdust..

The mixture oi sawdust and water from the tank Q is fed by the pump N which receives it-into a larger volume of water of a temperature above the melting point of sulfur which is being introduced into the underground deposit.v

The delivery df sawdust into the mine 'cavity is not a part of the ordinary working, but is effected at and during such times as it may appear to be called for. When introduced, a feed of about 100 pounds of sawdust per minute would represent a practical rate.

On September 19,1906, patents respectively numbered' 799,642 and 800,127 were granted on my said application of May 27, 1897, No. 638,357, and on a division of the same which was filed November 23, 1903, and officially numbered 182,359.

I claim as my invention or discovery.:

1. The improved process of fusion mining in porous' in the deposit, substantially as described.

2. The improved process of fusion mining in porous deposits, which process is characterized not only by the introduction of fusion fluid into'an underground porous deposit of fusible material and by the removal of the melted material therefrom, but also by the introduction of comminuted material mixed'with water into said deposit ln order thereby to restrict the freedom of movementof said fusion fluid described.

3. In mining by fusion, the improvement consisting in introducing into an underground porous deposit comminuted material in adniixture with water heated above the melting point ofthe material to be mined, and in removing the melted material, substantially as described.

4. In mining by fusion, the'improvement consisting in melting the material in an undergrund porous deposit by hot water introduced without return into said deposit at u rate suiciently above five hundred gallons a minute to prevent inroads into theV melting space of naturally present water from-the surrounding rock, and in removing the melted material, substantially as described.

5. I'n mining byfuson, the improvement consisting in melting the material in an underground porous deposit by hot water introduced into said deposit, for such introduction supplying said hot water to the mine piping at a pressure above that corresponding with its-:temperature on leaving the heaters, causing the supplyof so introduced water to flow awnyunderground and so to hold back naturally present water, und removing the melted material, substantially as described.r d

6. In mining by fusion, the limprovementconsisting ln eecting the vmelting byhotwater introduced into an underground deposit which does not naturally admit of 'a pressure therein equal to that corresponding with the temperature of the hot wateren leaving the heaters when added to the-pressure of a water column the length of the mine piping', for such introduction supplying said hot water to the mine piping at a pressure above that correinvthe'deposit, substantially as sponding with' its temperature on leaving the heaters,

introducingv hot water into an underground porous deposit in order to melt the material therein. applying additional pressure to said water after heating and before its intro duction into the deposit in order further to increase the rate of its delivery thereinto, causing the supply of 'so introduced water to dow away underground and so to hold back naturally present water, and removing the melted material. substantialy as described.

8. lnmining by fusion, the improvement consisting in introducing hot water without return and comminuted material in admixture therewith into the underground deposit, and for such introduction supplying said hot water to the mine piping at a pressure above that corresponding with its temperature on leaving the heaters, and

in removing the melted material, substantially as described.

9. The improved process of fusion mining in porous deposits, which process is characterized not only by the introduction of fusion fluid into an underground porous deposit of fusible material and by the removal of the melted material therefrom, but also by the introduction into said porous deposit of water without return and 'of comminuted material in admix'ture therewith, substantially as described. Y I

10. In mining by fusion. the improvement consisting in introducing hot Water without return and commlnuted material in admixture therewith-into an underground porous deposit. applying additional pressure to saidwater4 between the beaters and the mine piping. and removing the melted material. substantially as described.

11. In mining by fusion,v .the improvement consisting in heating water to a temperature above the melting point of the material to be mined by condensation of live steam therein under pressure, introducing the so heated water into an underground porous deposit, for such introduction supplying the so heated water to the mine piping at apressure above that of said live steam, causing the supply of so introduced water to dow away underground and so to hold back naturally present water. and removing the melted material, substantially as described.

12. In mining by fusion, the improvement consisting in heating water to a temperature` above the melting point of the material to be mined by condensation of live steam therein under pressure, introducing the so heated water into an underground porous deposit which does not naturally admit of a pressure therein equal to that of said steam when added to the pressure of a water column the length of the mine piping, for such introduction supplying the so heated water to the mine piping at a pressure above that of said-live steam. lcausing the supply of so introduced water to flow away underground and so to hold back naturally present water, and removing the melted material, substantially as described.

13. In mining by fusion, the improvement consisting in melting the material in the` underground deposit by hot water introduced partly through the pipe up which the melted material is raised in intervals between such-rais ing and partly through separate hot water piping, causing both supplies of' hot water to dow away un erground and so to hold back naturally present water, and raising the melted material, the introduction of th'e hot water through the iirst mentioned pipe being stopped when the melted material is to be raised and the raising of said material being eiectedduring such stoppage, substantially as described.

l-l. Apparatus for mining by fusion `having a pipe up which the melted material is' raised 'provided with a branch for`delivering said material and a branch for receivlng hot water for fusion. and separate 'hot water piping, said pipe and piping lead-ing to an underground porous deposit and means being provided for closing the latter against return of water to the surface of the ground, substantialy as described.

15. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having three pipes sions() leading from hot water heaters to an underground deposit, one of which pipes is provided with a branch for delivery of melted material and also with means for shutting off -the hot, water connection during such delivery, the apparatus as a whole being arranged to confine the water from all the pipes to the deposit and lso cause the supply from all of them to howv away underground, sub

stantially as described.

16. Apparatus for mining by'tusion, having means'for introducing comminuted material into an underground deposit, and alsohaving means for introducing fusion fluid into said deposit and forremoving melted material therefrom, substantially as described. Y

'17. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having means for introducing comminuted material in admixture with water into an underground deposit, and also having means for introducing fusion iuld into said deposit and for removing melted material therefrom, substantially as described. 18- Apparatus for mining by fusion, having means for introducing water at the fusing temperature into an underground deposit. and also means for allowing comminuted material to be mixed with said water, in combination with means for removing melted material from said deposit, substantially as described. f

19. The combination of mine piping, means for supplying a mining fluid to the said mine piping, means for removing mined material, a mixing tank, a water'supplyfor said tank, and connections between the said tank and the said mine piping,.substantially as described.

20. The combination of mine piping, heaters, connections between the said heaters and the said mine piping, means for raising m'elted material through thev said mine piping, a mixing tank provided with a stirrer, a water supply for said tank, and connections between 'the said tank and the said mine piping, substantially as described.

21. The combination of mine piping, means for raising melted material through said mine piping, a mixing tank, heaters. and connections between saidl mine piping and said mixing tank and heaters, substantially as described.

22. The combination with mine piping leading to an underground deposit of material to be mined, means for supplying fusion uid to said piping, means for raising the melted material, andi means whereby said deposit is closed against the return of the fusion duid, of means for supplying comminuted material to said piping, substantially as'described.

23. The combination of imine piping, means for raising melted material through said mine piping, a mixing tank, heaters, and pumps between said mine piping and said mixing tank and heaters, substantially as described.

24. The combination with mine piping leading to a porous deposit. means for raising melted material through against return of water to the surface of the ground, of heaters, and pumps between said heaters and said mine piping, substantially as described. Y

25. The combination 'with mine piping, means for raising melted material through said piping, and means for supplying hot water under pressure to said piping,` of a mixing tank, and a pumpreceivng material from said tank and discharging it into said mine piping, substantially as described. Y

'said piping, and means whereby said deposit is closed 26. The combination of hot water heaters, mine piping,

means for raising melted material through said mine piping, pumps between said heaters and said mine plplngji and a mixing tank delivering material to a pump connected with said piping, substantially as described.

27. Apparatus for mining by fusion, in which water is heated by condensation of live steam in contact therewith, having pumps between such steam-condensing water heaters' and the mine piping for'forcing the so heated water through said piping into'an underground deposit, and also having means for raising melted material from said /de -posit, and means whereby said deposit is closed against the return of the hot water to the surface of the ground, substantially as described.

28. Apparatus for mining by fusion having mine piping leading to an underground porous deposit, means for raising melted material from said deposit, means whereby said deposit is closed against the return ot'water to as described. 85

troducing a mining duid into a porous underground de- -the surface of the ground, and means which supply water heated `above the melting point of the material to be .ground deposit of the material to be mined, means being providedfor raising the melted material through that one of said pipes whichopens into the deposit at the lowest level, and this last mentioned pipe being provided with a branch for delivery of the melted material raised through the same and also with means for shutting oif the water connection during such delivery, the apparatus as a whole being arranged to confine the water from all the pipes to,

the deposit and` so cause the supply from all of them to dow away underground, substantially as described.` 4 30. Alpparatus Vformining by duid, having means for introducing a mining duid in'to a porous underground de posit of material to be mined, means for removing the mined material `irom said deposit, and means for introducing into the deposit comminuted material for choking passages therein and thus restricting the ireedoln of movement of said mining duid, substantially as described.

31. Apparatus for mining by duid, having means for in#A troducing a mining duid into a porous underground deposit of material to be mined, means for removing the mined material from said deposit, and meanshfor introducing into the deposit at different levels comminuted material for choking passages therein and thus restricting the freedom of movement of said mining duid, substantially 32. Apparatusfor mining by duid, having means for inposit of material to'be mined, meansy for removing the' mined minerai from said deposit by the pressure in saidy deposit,` and means for introducing into the deposit comminuted 'material for choking passages therein and thus restricting' the freedom of movement of said mining duid, substantially as described.

33. The process of mining by duid, characterized not only by the introduction of mining duid into aporous underground deposit of material to be mined and by the removal of the mined material, but also by the introduction into saiddeposit of comminuted material for choking passages therein and thusrestricting the freedom of movement of said mining duid, substantially as described.

34. The process of mining by duid, characterized not only by the introduction of mining duid into a porous underground deposit of material to be mined land by the removal of the mined material, b ut also by the introduction into said deposit atdiderent levels of comminuted material for choking passages therein and thus restricting the treedoin of movement of said mining duid, substantially as described. v

35. hcprocess of mining by duid, characterized not only*by`the introduction of mining duid into a 'porous .underground deposit of material to be mined and by the removal of the mined material, but also by the introduction into said deposit of comminuted material in the naturel of sawdust for choking passages therein and thus restricting the freedom ofmovement of said mining duid,

'substantially as described.

36. The process of mining by duid, characterized not and 'thus restricting the freedom of movement of said mining duid, substantially as described.

in testimony whereof I have signed my' name Ato this specification in the-presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERMAN FRASCH.

Witnesses? r W. L'OTHMAN, i J. C. UPDEGRovE.

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