초록 ▼

Embodiments of the inventive technology may provide a leaked fluid detection and response system in one aspect, and in another aspect, an environmental enclosure for at least a component of such leaked fluid detection system. Various embodiments of the leaked fluid detection and response system may

Embodiments of the inventive technology may provide a leaked fluid detection and response system in one aspect, and in another aspect, an environmental enclosure for at least a component of such leaked fluid detection system. Various embodiments of the leaked fluid detection and response system may provide wireless communication of detected leaks and a PLC that automates response and provides information regarding the presence of a leak. Enclosures may, in various embodiments, comprehensively surround enclosed components, thermally insulate enclosed components, include a leaked fluid capture basin, be aerodynamically streamlined, and/or be vermin-tight.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus comprising: at least one well fluid leak detector established to generate information regarding the presence of a leak of well fluid from an in-situ leach mining wellhead;a communication system configured to convey said information

1. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus comprising: at least one well fluid leak detector established to generate information regarding the presence of a leak of well fluid from an in-situ leach mining wellhead;a communication system configured to convey said information;a programmable logic controller configured to act according to said information;a response system coordinated with said programmable logic controller to automatically act in the event of detection of said well fluid leak;an environmental enclosure that comprehensively surrounds said well fluid leak detector and said wellhead, wherein said enclosure rests on a ground surface at a ground and atmosphere interface and comprises an affirmatively thermally insulative material;a leaked fluid capture basin established as a bottom part of said enclosure;at least one opening through said leaked fluid capture basin, said at least one opening sized to accommodate a well fluid entrance conduit portion of said wellhead and a well fluid exit conduit portion of said wellhead, wherein well fluid enters said enclosure through said well fluid entrance conduit portion and exits said enclosure through said well fluid exit conduit portion;wherein said leaked fluid capture basin is sealed against said well fluid entrance conduit portion and said well fluid exit conduit portion to capture well fluid that leaks from said wellhead, andwherein said at least one well fluid leak detector is established within said environmental enclosure;said apparatus further comprising:a functionality verification system that comprises: a leak simulator configured to simulate a leak without leaking a fluid; from said wellhead; anda communication system functionality validator; said apparatus further comprising: at least one power supply that powers said at least one well fluid leak detector, said communication system, said programmable logic controller, said functionality verification system, and said response system. 2. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said well fluid comprises a well fluid selected from the group consisting of: barren lixiviant, lixiviant, in-situ mining fluid, in-situ leach mining fluid, in-situ recovery mining fluid, in-situ uranium mining fluid, slurry mining fluid, slurry uranium mining fluid, disposal well fluid, uranium mining disposal well fluid, production well fluid, uranium mining production well fluid, injection well fluid, uranium mining injection well fluid, water and hot mineralized water. 3. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said at least one well fluid leak detector comprises at least one probe pair. 4. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said at least one probe pair comprises at least one probe pair established substantially on the outer surface of said wellhead. 5. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said at least one probe pair comprises at least one probe pair hanging into said leaked fluid capture basin. 6. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said wellhead is subject to thermal stresses induced by temperature extrema more than 20 degs C. apart. 7. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said information is conveyed in the event of said leak. 8. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said information is conveyed in the event of a non-leaking condition. 9. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said communication system is at least partially wireless. 10. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said response system comprises a human notification system. 11. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said human notification system effects a sensible indication in the event of a leak. 12. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said human notification system comprises a wireless communication system. 13. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said human notification system comprises a leak location identifier. 14. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said response system comprises an automatic shutdown system. 15. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said programmable logic controller comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: leak data recorder, leak time recorder, leak location recorder, and a recorder that records time of acknowledgement of receipt of notification by a human. 16. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said at least one well fluid leak detector comprises a detector selected from the group consisting of float type fluid leak detector, conductive mesh type detector and conductive tape type detector. 17. An above-ground, well fluid leak detection and response apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said leak simulator is configured to electrically simulate said leak. 18. A well fluid leak detection and response method comprising the steps of: establishing at least one well fluid leak detector to generate information regarding the presence of a leak of well fluid from an in-situ leach mining wellhead;enclosing said at least one well fluid leak detector and said wellhead within an environmental enclosure that is affirmatively thermally insulated;resting said environmental enclosure on a ground surface at a ground and atmosphere interface;sealing all openings of said environmental enclosure through which well fluid conduit passes;establishing a leaked fluid capture basin as a part of said environmental enclosure and below said wellhead;establishing a communication system to convey said information;configuring a programmable logic controller to act according to said information;coordinating a response system with the programmable logic controller to automatically act in the event of detection of said well fluid leak;configuring a functionality verification system to: simulate a leak from said wellhead without leaking a fluid from said wellhead;validate communication system functionality; andpowering said at least one well fluid leak detector, said communication system, said programmable logic controller, the functionality verification system and said response system. 19. A well fluid leak detection and response method as described in claim 18 further comprising the step of aerodynamically streamlining said environmental enclosure. 20. A well fluid leak detection and response method as described in claim 18 wherein said step of simulating a leak from said wellhead comprises the step of electrically simulating said leak. 21. A well fluid leak detection and response method comprising the steps of: establishing an environmental enclosure at a ground and atmosphere interface to surround a wellhead by resting said environmental enclosure on said ground, wherein said environmental enclosure is affirmatively thermally insulated;leaking well fluid from a leak of said wellhead;detecting presence of said leak with at least one fluid leak detector;capturing said leaked well fluid with a leaked fluid capture basin that forms part of said environmental enclosure;conveying, with a communication system, information relative to presence of said leak to outside of said environmental enclosure;using a programmable logic controller to act according to said information;automatically acting with a response system in the event of detection of said leak, wherein said response system is coordinated with said programmable logic controller;verifying system functionality by simulating a leak without leaking a fluid from said wellhead, and validating communication system functionality; andpowering the at least one well fluid leak detector, the communication system, the programmable logic controller, the functionality verification system and the response system. 22. A well fluid leak detection and response method as described in claim 21 wherein said mining wellhead comprises an in-situ leach mining wellhead. 23. A well fluid leak detection and response method as described in claim 21 wherein said step of conveying, with a communication system, information relative to presence of said leak to outside of said environmental enclosure comprises the step of wirelessly conveying radio frequency information.