Ronald O Hughes
Engineers in Green River, WY
License number
Utah 164091-2202
Issued Date
Jun 11, 1982
Expiration Date
Dec 31, 2004
Category
Engineer/Land Surveyor
Type
Professional Engineer
Address
Address
Green River, WY
Professional information
Impurities Removal From Waste Solids In The Production Of Soda Ash, Sodium Bicarbonate And/Or Other Derivatives
US Patent:
2011027, Nov 10, 2011
Filed:
May 3, 2011
Appl. No.:
13/099501
Inventors:
Ronald O. HUGHES - Green River WY, US
Jessica A. MOTE - Lyman WY, US
Alain VANDENDOREN - Wezembeek-Oppem, BE
James D. PHILLIP - Green River WY, US
David W. SMITH - Rock Springs WY, US
Jessica A. MOTE - Lyman WY, US
Alain VANDENDOREN - Wezembeek-Oppem, BE
James D. PHILLIP - Green River WY, US
David W. SMITH - Rock Springs WY, US
Assignee:
SOLVAY CHEMICALS, INC. - Houston TX
International Classification:
C01D 7/00, C01D 7/24, C01D 5/14
US Classification:
423184, 423208, 4232061
Abstract:
A method for removing impurities from a waste solid to provide at least a portion of a suitable crystallizer feed to a process for making crystalline sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, and/or other derivatives. The method comprises: contacting the waste solid with a leach solution to dissolve at least one impurity and dissolving the resulting leached residue. Leaching may include heap percolation. The leach solution may comprise a crystallizer purge liquor, a process waste effluent, a mine water, or mixtures thereof. The method may further comprise adding a magnesium compound to the resulting leached residue during or after its dissolution to remove another impurity. The waste solid preferably comprises a pond solid containing such impurities. The pond solid may be recovered from a pond receiving crystallizer purge liquor(s) and/or other process waste effluent(s). The pond solid may contain sodium carbonate, any hydrate thereof, sodium bicarbonate, and/or sodium sesquicarbonate. The impurities to be removed may comprise sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, silicates, and/or organics.
Traveling Undercut Solution Mining Systems And Methods
US Patent:
2011012, Jun 2, 2011
Filed:
Jul 29, 2009
Appl. No.:
13/056081
Inventors:
Ronald O. Hughes - Green River WY, US
Jean-Paul Detournay - Brussels, BE
Alain Vandendoren - Green River WY, US
Larry C. Refsdal - Green River WY, US
Joseph A. Vendetti - Green River WY, US
Michael C. Montoya - Green River WY, US
Jean-Paul Detournay - Brussels, BE
Alain Vandendoren - Green River WY, US
Larry C. Refsdal - Green River WY, US
Joseph A. Vendetti - Green River WY, US
Michael C. Montoya - Green River WY, US
Assignee:
SOLVAY CHEMICALS, INC. - Houston TX
International Classification:
E21B 43/28
US Classification:
299 4
Abstract:
In-situ solution mining method of an ore bed, particularly containing trona, which comprises exposing to a solvent an ore region inside a borehole drilled in the ore, and dissolving a desired solute within the exposed region to provide a liquor and create a voided ‘undercut’, such undercutting making the ore susceptible to gravitational loading and crushing. Unexposed ore falls into the undercut by gravity without breaking the ore roof resulting in exposure of fresh ore to the solvent and in preventing solvent exposure to contaminating material near the roof. The desired solute is eventually dissolved away in the entire bed from its floor up to its roof. Solvent injection may be delivered through a conduit positioned inside the borehole, and may be moved by retracting or perforating the conduit. The method may employ an advancing undercut initiated up-dip and traveling down-dip, or a retreating undercut initiated down-dip and traveling up-dip.
Use Of Ventilation Air Methane Exhausted During Mining Of Non-Combustible Ore In A Surface Appliance
US Patent:
2012026, Oct 18, 2012
Filed:
Apr 13, 2012
Appl. No.:
13/446952
Inventors:
Ronald HUGHES - Green River WY, US
Bryan M. MORTIMER - Highlands Ranch CO, US
David M. HANSEN - Green River WY, US
Bryan M. MORTIMER - Highlands Ranch CO, US
David M. HANSEN - Green River WY, US
Assignee:
SOLVAY CHEMICALS, INC. - Houston TX
International Classification:
F23L 7/00
US Classification:
431 2
Abstract:
Utilization of mine methane produced by mining a non-combustible ore, such as trona, as an energy source for heat, steam, and/or power generation. Such utilization is beneficial for a surface appliance which is close to surface outlet(s) of mine methane recovery system(s). A method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated during mining of a non-combustible ore uses the combustion of co-produced mine methane. The mine methane is recovered in a mine ventilation air exhaust with very low methane content and may be additionally recovered in a drainage gas, such as gob gas, with much higher methane content. The surface appliance may be selected from the group consisting of calciner, dryer, boiler, kiln, furnace, engine, turbine, power generation unit, co-generation unit, and any combinations thereof. Benefits may include reduction in energy purchases, reduction in greenhouse emissions, and/or gain through sale of carbon credits to the carbon market by registering carbon reductions.
Mining Method For Co-Extraction Of Non-Combustible Ore And Mine Methane
US Patent:
2009031, Dec 24, 2009
Filed:
Jun 19, 2009
Appl. No.:
12/487802
Inventors:
Larry REFSDAL - Green River WY, US
Ronald O. HUGHES - Green River WY, US
Bryan M. MORTIMER - Green River WY, US
Richard A. HODGSON - The Woodlands TX, US
Joseph A. VENDETTI - Green River WY, US
Ronald O. HUGHES - Green River WY, US
Bryan M. MORTIMER - Green River WY, US
Richard A. HODGSON - The Woodlands TX, US
Joseph A. VENDETTI - Green River WY, US
Assignee:
SOLVAY CHEMICALS, INC. - Houston TX
International Classification:
E21C 41/16, E21B 43/00, E21B 43/28
US Classification:
299 5, 299 10, 1662441
Abstract:
Mining method for co-extraction of non-combustible ore and mine methane A method for co-extracting non-combustible ore (e.g., trona) and methane from an underground formation comprising at least one methane-bearing layer and a non-combustible ore bed having a rock roof, comprising: