Plasma deep drilling technology
Plasma deep drilling technology is one of several drilling technologies that may be able to replace conventional, contact-based rotary systems. These new technologies include plasma deep drilling, water jet, hydrothermal spallation and laser. Companies that embrace plasma-drilling method include GA Drilling, headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia.
High-energy plasma
[edit | edit source]High-energy plasma is a technology that targets deep drilling applications. It addresses issues related to drilling in water environments or boreholes with varying diameters.
Physical principle of electrical plasma
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An electric arc is a breakdown of a gas that produces a plasma discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air or another 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 factors such as: the gas flow, inner and outer magnetic fields, and construction elements of the chamber that confines the arc. The development of plasma torches to be used as a source of the thermal plasma demands a deep understanding of the discharge chamber processes.
Advantages
[edit | edit source]- Higher drilling energy efficiency
- Continuous drilling without replacement of mechanical parts
- Constant casing diameter
- Effective transport of disintegrated rock
See also
[edit | edit source]- GA Drilling
- New drilling technologies
- Drilling rig
- List of mining journals
- Underground rocket
- Quaise
- Oil well
- Research Centre for Deep Drilling