Thermal limitations on the use of PDC bits in geothermal drilling

Conference · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6771016

Glowka, D A

Factors affecting the potential for using polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits in geothermal drilling are discussed. Pertinent results from previous laboratory and field tests are reviewed. The two predominant failure mechanisms, abrasive cutter wear and catastrophic loss of cutters, are discussed. A temperature activated mechanism for accelerating cutter wear is identified, and the implications for hard-rock drilling are investigated. An upper bound on drillable rock strength without causing thermally-accelerated wear is established for a variety of operating and environmental conditions.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6771016
• Report Number(s): SAND-84-0757C; CONF-840809-2; ON: DE84010269
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150901* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Drilling Technology & Well Hardware
CARBON
CRYSTALS
CUTTING TOOLS
DIAMONDS
DRILL BITS
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
FIELD TESTS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
MINERALS
NONMETALS
POLYCRYSTALS
TESTING
TOOLS
WEAR
WELL DRILLING
WELLS