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}
}