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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Development testing of a cornering water-jet drill

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5034489

A drilling system is being developed which uses high pressure water jets to drill horizontal holes in a coal seam accessed through a vertical borehole. For underground coal gasification, these horizontal holes create linking paths between vertical process wells. Currently, the full-scale cornering drill system is undergoing above-ground evaluation tests in Albuquerque. An elevated test platform is being used to permit observation of the cornering and drilling mechanisms during operation. A simulated coal block serves as a convenient drilling target during these tests. Recorded hole location data have been compared with independently determined measurements. Test results to date indicate satisfactory performance of the major drill components. 10 figs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5034489
Report Number(s):
SAND-82-0970C; CONF-820840-9; ON: DE82020354
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English