A new seismic probe for coal seam hazard detection

Conference · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:7230928

Peters, W R; Owen, T E; Thill, R E

An experimental hole-to-hole seismic probe system has been developed for use in coal measure geology as a means of determining the structural conditions of coal seams. The source probe produces a 500-joule electric arc discharge whose seismic wavelet has a spectrum in the 200 to 2,000 Hz frequency range. Low compliance hydrophones contained in the source probe as well as in a separate seismic detector probe are matched to the frequency range of the source. Both probes are constructed with 5.72 cm diameter housings. The transducers in the probes are equipped with fluid-inflatable boots to permit operation in either wet or dry boreholes. Preliminary tests in vertical boreholes drilled 213 m apart in sedimentary rock formations show reliable operation and useful seismic propagation measurements along horizontal and oblique paths up to 232 m in length. Because the seismic wavelet has an accurately repeatable waveshape, multiple shots and signal averaging techniques can be used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and extend the transmission distances.

• OSTI ID: 7230928
• Report Number(s): CONF-851054-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580203 -- Geophysics-- Geophysical Survey Methods-- (1980-1989)
ACCURACY
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
COMMUNICATIONS
CONTROL
CURRENTS
DATA TRANSMISSION
DRILLING
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
FREQUENCY CONTROL
FREQUENCY RANGE
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC SURVEYS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
HZ RANGE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MINERAL RESOURCES
PROBES
RELIABILITY
RESOURCES
ROCK DRILLING
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEISMIC ARRAYS
SEISMIC DETECTORS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SEISMIC WAVES
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
SONIC PROBES
SURVEYS
TRANSDUCERS
WAVE PROPAGATION