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Title: Seal/lubricant systems for geothermal drilling equipment

Abstract

The development and testing of seals and lubricants for journal-type roller-cone rock bits for drilling into geothermal reservoirs at temperatures over 260/sup 0/C (500/sup 0/F) are described. The conditions experienced by seals and lubricants subjected to geothermal drilling are reviewed along with the basic design requirements for roller-cone bit seals and journal bearing lubricants. Two unique test facilities are described: a seal test machine which simulates pressures, temperatures, and mechanical eccentricities, and a lubricant tester capable of evaluating load-bearing ability at temperature and pressure. Three candidate elastomeric compounds demonstrated 288/sup 0/C (550/sup 0/F) capability and several others demonstrated 260/sup 0/C (500/sup 0/F) or greater capability. Successful elastomeric seal candidates were proprietary compounds based on EPDM, Kalrez, and/or Viton polymers. Three mechanical seals for reservoir temperatures over 288/sup 0/C (550/sup 0/F) are presented. Lubricant screening tests on more than 50 products are summarized, and several newly developed lubricants which meet both the compatibility and lubrication requirements are described. Several seal/lubricant systems are recommended for laboratory or field geothermal drilling tests in roller-cone drill bits. The future availability of drill bits for geothermal use is discussed, as well as the potential spinoffs of the program findings for nongeothermal roller-cone bits.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Terra Tek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5231616
Report Number(s):
SAND-80-7101
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP00789
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; DRILL BITS; LUBRICANTS; SEALS; GEOTHERMAL WELLS; DRILLING EQUIPMENT; AVAILABILITY; DESIGN; ELASTOMERS; FIELD TESTS; HIGH TEMPERATURE; PERFORMANCE TESTING; TEST FACILITIES; EQUIPMENT; POLYMERS; TESTING; WELLS; Geothermal Legacy; 150901* - Geothermal Engineering- Drilling Technology & Well Hardware

Citation Formats

Hendrickson, R R, and Winzenried, R W. Seal/lubricant systems for geothermal drilling equipment. United States: N. p., 1980. Web. doi:10.2172/5231616.
Hendrickson, R R, & Winzenried, R W. Seal/lubricant systems for geothermal drilling equipment. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5231616
Hendrickson, R R, and Winzenried, R W. 1980. "Seal/lubricant systems for geothermal drilling equipment". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5231616. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5231616.
@article{osti_5231616,
title = {Seal/lubricant systems for geothermal drilling equipment},
author = {Hendrickson, R R and Winzenried, R W},
abstractNote = {The development and testing of seals and lubricants for journal-type roller-cone rock bits for drilling into geothermal reservoirs at temperatures over 260/sup 0/C (500/sup 0/F) are described. The conditions experienced by seals and lubricants subjected to geothermal drilling are reviewed along with the basic design requirements for roller-cone bit seals and journal bearing lubricants. Two unique test facilities are described: a seal test machine which simulates pressures, temperatures, and mechanical eccentricities, and a lubricant tester capable of evaluating load-bearing ability at temperature and pressure. Three candidate elastomeric compounds demonstrated 288/sup 0/C (550/sup 0/F) capability and several others demonstrated 260/sup 0/C (500/sup 0/F) or greater capability. Successful elastomeric seal candidates were proprietary compounds based on EPDM, Kalrez, and/or Viton polymers. Three mechanical seals for reservoir temperatures over 288/sup 0/C (550/sup 0/F) are presented. Lubricant screening tests on more than 50 products are summarized, and several newly developed lubricants which meet both the compatibility and lubrication requirements are described. Several seal/lubricant systems are recommended for laboratory or field geothermal drilling tests in roller-cone drill bits. The future availability of drill bits for geothermal use is discussed, as well as the potential spinoffs of the program findings for nongeothermal roller-cone bits.},
doi = {10.2172/5231616},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5231616}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980},
month = {Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980}
}