Materials and seal systems for the improvement of unsealed and sealed geothermal rock bits

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6579287

Hendrickson, R R; Winzenried, R W; Jones, A H

Research to facilitate the upgrading of conventional unsealed and sealed roller-cone rock bits for geothermal service is presented. Experimental and conventional unsealed bits were subjected to laboratory drilling tests at 250/sup 0/C (482/sup 0/F). Bearing life was extended 50% for the experimental bits. Seals and lubricants were developed specifically for sealed, journal-type rock bits. These were evaluated in specially constructed seal and lubricant test machines. Results indicate the elastomeric seals are capable of 200/sup 0/C (392/sup 0/F) service. Three mechanical seal systems were built and evaluated. Three lubricants demonstrated 316/sup 0/C (600/sup 0/F) capability. Development is continuing on elastomeric seals, mechanical seals, and lubricants. Detailed descriptions of previous work, and the unique test equipment are presented.

• Research Organization: Terra Tek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6579287
• Report Number(s): SAND-80-7136
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
DRILL BITS
LUBRICANTS
MATERIALS TESTING
SEALS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
ROCK DRILLING
WELL DRILLING
AGING
BEARINGS
ELASTOMERS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
SERVICE LIFE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
POLYMERS
TESTING
WELLS
150901* - Geothermal Engineering- Drilling Technology & Well Hardware