Reformability evaluation of blasting-enhanced permeability in in situ leaching mining of low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposits

A Review of In Situ Leaching (ISL) for Uranium Mining

“…As a result, a key element determining the usability of this mining method and a major barrier to its widespread adoption is the permeability of the uranium deposit [122]. In situ leaching techniques are typically considered unsuitable for uranium deposits with low inherent permeability (<0.5 m/d) [123]. To address this challenge, many scholars have concentrated their studies on permeability modification techniques for low-permeability uranium deposits, thereby broadening the application of in situ leaching [123][124][125][126].…”

“…In situ leaching techniques are typically considered unsuitable for uranium deposits with low inherent permeability (<0.5 m/d) [123]. To address this challenge, many scholars have concentrated their studies on permeability modification techniques for low-permeability uranium deposits, thereby broadening the application of in situ leaching [123][124][125][126]. While hydraulic fracturing, a widely used approach for enhancing permeability in oil and gas reservoirs [127,128], has been proven ineffective for uranium deposits [124], blasting-enhanced permeability (BEP) has emerged as a promising and effective technique for this specific context [125].…”

Experimental and Numerical Simulation Research on Controllable Shock Wave-Induced Shale Fracturing under Repeated Action

“…On the other hand, physical stimulation involves applying pressure to induce damage and fractures in the reservoir, thereby increasing its permeability . This pressure can be either static or dynamic. , For instance, hydraulic fracturing, as a representative of static methods, applies high-pressure water flow to the reservoir to create large fractures along the maximum principal stress direction, − gathering oil and gas within a hundred-meter range . Hydraulic fracturing creates large and singular fractures, which can enhance the permeability of the reservoir, − yet it remains unfavorable for extensive permeation of gas. , Additionally, hydraulic fracturing is associated with long construction periods, high resource consumption, and environmental pollution. , For a long time, measures such as high-energy gas fracturing and deep hole presplitting blasting have been taken to increase reservoir permeability through dynamic shock wave methods, − which can promote the generation of more small fractures and are more conducive to the large-scale migration of reservoir fluids.…”

“… 26 This pressure can be either static or dynamic. 27 , 28 For instance, hydraulic fracturing, as a representative of static methods, 29 applies high-pressure water flow to the reservoir to create large fractures along the maximum principal stress direction, 30 − 32 gathering oil and gas within a hundred-meter range. 33 Hydraulic fracturing creates large and singular fractures, which can enhance the permeability of the reservoir, 34 − 36 yet it remains unfavorable for extensive permeation of gas.…”

The chemical damage of sandstone after sulfuric acid-rock reactions with different duration times and its influence on the impact mechanical behaviour

“…The common method to improve the permeability of low-permeability reservoirs is reservoir stimulation, including the hydraulic fracturing method [ [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] ], pressure-relief method [ [15] , [16] , [17] ], chemical stimulation method [ [18] , [19] , [20] ], high/low-thermal shock method [ 21 , 22 ] and blasting method [ 23 , 24 ], which have been applied in unconventional oil/gas development fields. For the LPSUD, reservoir stimulation methods of blasting-enhanced permeability (BEP) [ 25 , 26 ] and acidizing-enhanced permeability (AEP) [ [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] ] have carried out several pilot tests in China and the injection rate of wells has improved by 118% [ 31 ].

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