Focused shock drilling exploratory research program: Final report
The program to investigate the feasibility of the focused shock spark drilling technique was formally initiated in February 1985 and the work was completed in April 1988. In its initial phase, the program was set to accomplish five objectives. These were: to develop a basic understanding of the physics of spark drilling; to determine rock fracture characteristics at energy levels ranging from 2 to 25 kilojoules (kJ); to demonstrate the feasibility of focusing and steering the high energy shock waves in water; to develop electrode and insulator material designs for an erodable drill face; and to develop a conceptual design for a fieldable spark drill bit. The results of the three-year investigation are reported in this document. The background and rationale are first given. Then a discussion on the following is given: the two pulsed power facilities built for the project; the phenomenology responsible for fracturing and breaking rock through the electrohydraulic effect; development of a conceptual design for a downhole spark drill; and finally, a number of near-term applications are identified for the electrohydraulic effect.
- Research Organization:
- Tetra Corp., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-85ER13330
- OSTI ID:
- 7043643
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/13330-1; TR-88-009; ON: DE88017243
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
420206* -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
DESIGN
DOCUMENT TYPES
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
DRILLS
ELECTROHYDRODYNAMICS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
EXPLORATION
FAILURES
FLUID MECHANICS
FOCUSING
FRACTURES
HYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
POWER SYSTEMS
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SHOCK WAVES
SPARK DRILLS