Plasma deep drilling technology
Encyclopedia
In the recent past, there were several attempts to develop new drilling technology
which would be able to substitute conventional contact-based rotary systems. These concepts were based on different principles such as water jet
, hydrothermal spallation
or laser
. Worldwide there are several research teams which work continually on research and development of new deep drilling technology. Until now, no one from these attempts has been proved to be effective in extreme deep drilling conditions. One of them was also technology of plasma in several different variants.
established in the premises of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava.
is an electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing plasma discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air or gas. An arc discharge is characterized by a lower voltage than a glow discharge, and relies on thermionic emission of electrons from the electrodes supporting the arc. The electric arc is influenced by different factors: the gas flow, inner and outer magnetic fields, construction elements of the chamber which confine the arc, the elements being often under electric voltage, differing from that of the arc. Thus, there is a strong need for deep understanding of a wide spectrum of the processes taking place in the discharge chamber in order to develop highly effective plasma torches that we have proposed to use as a source of the thermal plasma.
, oil and gas
or carbon capture and storage
applications but also for underground mining. This new non-contact drilling method combined with the development of current mining techniques may bring smart technology for underground mining industry. The most promising project connects advantages of plasma drilling and raise boring
technologies.
New drilling technologies
The latest study of Massachusetts Institute of Technology "The Future of Geothermal Energy – Impact of Enhanced Geothermal Systems on the United States in the 21st Century" points out the essential importance of developing an economical deep geothermal boring technology. With current boring...
which would be able to substitute conventional contact-based rotary systems. These concepts were based on different principles such as water jet
Water jet cutter
A water jet cutter, also known as a waterjet, is a tool capable of slicing into metal or other materials using a jet of water at high velocity and pressure, or a mixture of water and an abrasive substance. The process is essentially the same as water erosion found in nature but greatly accelerated...
, hydrothermal spallation
Spallation
In general, spallation is a process in which fragments of material are ejected from a body due to impact or stress. In the context of impact mechanics it describes ejection or vaporization of material from a target during impact by a projectile...
or laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
. Worldwide there are several research teams which work continually on research and development of new deep drilling technology. Until now, no one from these attempts has been proved to be effective in extreme deep drilling conditions. One of them was also technology of plasma in several different variants.
High-energetic electrical plasma
High-energetic electrical plasma is one of the most promising technologies which are currently being developed in deep drilling applications. It has lower energy efficiency than some of the other technologies, but has several other advantages. The most important are utilization in water environment or producing boreholes with wide range of diameters. The research team from Slovakia is developing drilling concept based on electrical plasma principle suitable for several drilling applications. The core of the research is held in Research Centre for Deep DrillingResearch Centre for Deep Drilling
Research Centre for Deep Drilling is high-tech laboratory focused on research and development of new deep drilling concept based on electrical plasma. It was established by Geothermal Anywhere company in the premises of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava, Slovakia...
established in the premises of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava.
Physical principle of electrical plasma
An electric arcElectric arc
An electric arc is an electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing plasma discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air. A synonym is arc discharge. An arc discharge is characterized by a lower voltage than a glow discharge, and relies on...
is an electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing plasma discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air or gas. An arc discharge is characterized by a lower voltage than a glow discharge, and relies on thermionic emission of electrons from the electrodes supporting the arc. The electric arc is influenced by different factors: the gas flow, inner and outer magnetic fields, construction elements of the chamber which confine the arc, the elements being often under electric voltage, differing from that of the arc. Thus, there is a strong need for deep understanding of a wide spectrum of the processes taking place in the discharge chamber in order to develop highly effective plasma torches that we have proposed to use as a source of the thermal plasma.
Plasma deep drilling technology in mining applications
Plasma deep drilling technology may be suitable not only for geothermalGeothermal power
Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines the temperature of matter. Earth's geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of minerals...
, oil and gas
Oil and gas
Oil and gas are two commonly associated fossil fuels. The phrase may refer to:*Oil and gas field*Oil and gas law in the United States-See also:* Gasoline* Heating oil* Hydrocarbon exploration* Natural gas* Petroleum industry* Petroleum...
or carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage , alternatively referred to as carbon capture and sequestration, is a technology to prevent large quantities of from being released into the atmosphere from the use of fossil fuel in power generation and other industries. It is often regarded as a means of mitigating...
applications but also for underground mining. This new non-contact drilling method combined with the development of current mining techniques may bring smart technology for underground mining industry. The most promising project connects advantages of plasma drilling and raise boring
Raise borer
A raise borer is a machine used in underground mining, to excavate a circular hole between two levels of a mine without the use of explosives.The raise borer is set up on the upper level of the two levels to be connected, on an evenly laid platform...
technologies.
Advantages of Plasma deep drilling technology
- Higher drilling energy efficiency
- Continuous drilling process without replacement of mechanical parts
- Constant casing diameter
- Effective transport of disintegrated rock
See also
- Drilling rigDrilling rigA drilling rig is a machine which creates holes or shafts in the ground. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to drill water wells, oil wells, or natural gas extraction wells, or they can be small enough to be moved manually by one person...
- Enhanced geothermal system
- List of plasma (physics) applications articles
- Plasma (physics)Plasma (physics)In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. Heating a gas may ionize its molecules or atoms , thus turning it into a plasma, which contains charged particles: positive ions and negative electrons or ions...
- Oil wellOil wellAn oil well is a general term for any boring through the earth's surface that is designed to find and acquire petroleum oil hydrocarbons. Usually some natural gas is produced along with the oil. A well that is designed to produce mainly or only gas may be termed a gas well.-History:The earliest...