New downhole cable emplacement method developed for LLNL's Nuclear Test Program
This report describes the characteristics and advantages of the cable downhole system (CDS), a new method of emplacing diagnostic cables for underground testing of nuclear devices. The CDS has been developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for its nuclear test program at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). In the conventional procedure, a crane lowers the cables down the hole, which ranges in depth from 600 to 2300 ft. This method requires many labor craft disciplines, considerable standby time, and a large amount of hardware installation. Completing the whole operation can take 10 or more working days. Although this method of operation is inefficient, it has evolved over many years and has proven safe and reliable. The new cable downhole system controls the tension on each cable as the nuclear device is lowered into the emplacement hole with all cables attached. The system consists of units of tensioners, called skids, which are assembled into appropriate field configurations. Each skid is a self-contained platform holding 10 tensioners when completely assembled. During the downhole operation, a computer monitors and controls the performance of the tensioners. One hundred cables can be lowered or retracted with the current system. The CDS is safe, reliable, and has a number of advantages over the conventional downhole method.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6486009
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-53566; ON: DE85001950
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
450201* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives-- Containment
CABLES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
EXPLOSIONS
INSTALLATION
MATERIALS TESTING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEVADA TEST SITE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR REACTION ANALYSIS
POSITIONING
TESTING
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS