Is it optimal to tow air guns shallow to enhance low frequencies?

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. A13-A18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Landrø ◽  
Lasse Amundsen
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Surface Effect ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Source Spectrum ◽  
Local Characteristic ◽  
Source Depth ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Seismic Acquisition

In marine seismic acquisition, it used to be commonly accepted that it is optimal to tow the source deep to enhance the low-frequency content in the seismic data. However, Mayne and Quay found in 1971 that the low-frequency response of air guns actually improves as the source depth decreases. We evaluated a simple ad hoc theory that demonstrates that two effects are counteracting each other: The free-surface effect favors deep-towed sources, whereas the bubble time period (increasing with decreasing source depth) favors shallower tow depths. From a fjord test, we found that combining several source depths in an air gun array might flatten and improve the low-frequency part of the source spectrum. The experiment confirms that various source depths result in local, characteristic maxima in the low-frequency spectrum, corresponding to the bubble time period of the air gun.

scholarly journals Low-frequency acoustic signal created by rising air-gun bubble

Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. P119-P128
Author(s):  
Daniel Wehner ◽  
Martin Landrø
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Signal ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Frequency Signal ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Air Bubble ◽  
Rising Bubble ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Different Depths

In the seismic industry, there is increasing interest in generating and recording low frequencies, which leads to better data quality and can be important for full-waveform inversion. The air gun is a seismic source with a signal that consists of the (1) main impulse, (2) oscillating bubble, and (3) rising of this air bubble. However, there has been little investigation of the third characteristic. We have studied a low-frequency signal that could be created by the rising air bubble and find the contribution to the low-frequency content in seismic acquisition. We use a simple theory and modeling of rising spheres in water and compute the acoustic signal created by this effect. We conduct tank and field experiments with a submerged buoy that is released from different depths and record the acoustic signal with hydrophones along the rising path. The experiments simulate the signal from the rising bubble separated from the other two effects (1 and 2). Furthermore, we use data recorded below a single air gun fired at different depths to investigate if we can observe the proposed signal. We find that the rising bubble creates a low-frequency signal. Compared with the main impulse and the oscillating bubble effect of an air-gun signal, the contribution of the rising bubble is weak, on the order of 1/900 depending on the bubble size. By using large air-gun arrays tuned to create one big bubble, the contribution of the signal can be increased. The enhanced signal can be important for deep targets or basin exploration because the low-frequency signal is less attenuated.

scholarly journals On low frequencies emitted by air guns at very shallow depths — An experimental study

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. P61-P71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Wehner ◽  
Martin Landrø ◽  
Lasse Amundsen
Keyword(s):  
Large Volume ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Seismic Source ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Frequency Signal ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Seismic Acquisition ◽  
Marine Seismic

In marine seismic acquisition, the enhancement of frequency amplitudes below 5 Hz is of special interest because it improves imaging of the subsurface. The frequency content of the air gun, the most commonly used marine seismic source, is mainly controlled by its depth and the volume. Although the depth dependency on frequencies greater than 5 Hz has been thoroughly investigated, for frequencies less than 5 Hz it is less understood. However, recent results suggest that sources fired very close to the sea surface might enhance these very low frequencies. Therefore, we conduct dedicated tank experiments to investigate the changes of the source signal for very shallow sources in more detail. A small-volume air gun is fired at different distances from the water-air interface, including depths for which the air bubble bursts directly into the surrounding air. The variations of the oscillating bubble and surface disturbances, which can cause changes of the reflected signal from the sea surface, are explored to determine whether an increased frequency signal below 5 Hz can be achieved from very shallow air guns. The results are compared with field measurements of a large-volume air gun fired close to the sea surface. The results reveal an increased signal for frequencies below 5 Hz of up to 10 and 20 dB for the tank and field experiments, respectively, for the source depth at which the air gun bubble bursts directly into the surrounding air. For large-volume air guns, an increased low-frequency signal might also be achieved for sources that are slightly deeper than this bursting depth. From these observations, new design considerations in the geometry of air-gun arrays in marine seismic acquisition are suggested.

Estimation of bubble time period for air-gun clusters using potential isosurfaces

Geophysics ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. P1-P7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Barker ◽  
Martin Landrø
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Incompressible Flow ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Arbitrary Number ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Frequency Output ◽  
Equilibrium Radius ◽  
Relative Change

We evaluated a method of estimating the relative bubble time period of air-gun clusters with an arbitrary number of guns. This was done by assuming incompressible flow and representing the bubbles as isosurfaces of the potential field to account for coalescence. The kinetic energy at the equilibrium radius was then compared to the equivalent energy of the single gun to estimate the relative change. The results agreed well with two-gun cluster measurements, but the lack of data does not allow us to compare with clusters containing more guns than that. We found that more compact configurations, such as a triangle instead of three guns in a line, gave a more rapid increase in the bubble time period as the gun separation decreased. This indicated that compact configurations were attractive for enhancing the low-frequency output from an air-gun cluster.

What controls the initial peak of an air-gun source signature?

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. P27-P45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leighton M. Watson ◽  
Jonatan Werpers ◽  
Eric M. Dunham
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Rise Time ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Operating Pressure ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Initial Peak

Seismic air guns are broadband sources that generate acoustic waves at many frequencies. The low-frequency waves can be used for imaging, whereas the high-frequency waves are attenuated and/or scattered before they can reflect from targets of interest in the subsurface. It is desirable to reduce the amplitude of the high-frequency acoustic waves because they are thought to be disruptive, and potentially damaging, to marine life and are not useful for geophysical purposes. The high-frequency acoustic waves are primarily associated with the initial expansion of the air-gun bubble and associated peak in the acoustic pressure time series, which is commonly referred to as the source signature of the air gun. We have developed a quasi-1D model of a seismic air gun coupled to a spherical bubble that accounts for gas dynamics and spatially variable depressurization inside the firing chamber to investigate controls on the initial peak of the source signature. The model is validated against data collected during field tests in Lake Seneca, New York. Simulations and field data show that the initial peak is primarily dependent on the operating pressure. A lower gun pressure results in a smaller peak amplitude and a slower rise time. The slope, the amplitude of the initial peak divided by the rise time, is used as a proxy for environmental impact and can decrease by as much as 50% when the air-gun pressure is reduced from 2000 to 1000 psi. The low frequencies are controlled by the total discharged mass, which is dependent upon the gun volume and pressure. Decreasing the operating pressure while simultaneously increasing the gun volume will reduce the high frequencies while maintaining the desirable low-frequency signals.

Lessons Learned From the World's Largest Continuous Onshore and Offshore 3D Seismic Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saif Ali Al Mesaabi ◽  
Guillaume Marie Cambois ◽  
James Cowell ◽  
David Arnold ◽  
Mohamed Fawzi Boukhanfra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
The Status ◽  
Seismic Acquisition ◽  
Abu Dhabi Emirate ◽  
Legacy Data

Abstract In 2017 ADNOC decided to cover the entire Abu Dhabi Emirate, onshore and offshore, with high- resolution and high-fold 3D seismic. Acquisition of the world's largest continuous seismic survey started in late 2018 and is around 77% complete at the time of writing. Data processing is well under way and interpretation of the first delivered 3D cubes is ongoing. Now is an opportune time to review the status of this gigantic project and draw preliminary lessons. Comparison with legacy data shows a massive improvement in deep imaging, which was one of the main objectives of this survey. The basement can clearly be interpreted, while it is hardly visible on legacy data being covered with high energy multiples. A thorough analysis demonstrated that increased offset is the main reason for the uplift. The large fold and the low frequency sweep also help recover signal down to 3 Hz. This extends the bandwidth in the low frequencies by one to two octaves compared to legacy data, which tremendously benefits structural interpretation and stratigraphic inversion.

scholarly journals Earless toads sense low frequencies but miss the high notes

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1864) ◽  
pp. 20171670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly C. Womack ◽  
Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard ◽  
Luis A. Coloma ◽  
Juan C. Chaparro ◽  
Kim L. Hoke
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Sensory Pathways ◽  
Airborne Sound ◽  
Vibrational Sensitivity ◽  
Species Specific

Sensory losses or reductions are frequently attributed to relaxed selection. However, anuran species have lost tympanic middle ears many times, despite anurans' use of acoustic communication and the benefit of middle ears for hearing airborne sound. Here we determine whether pre-existing alternative sensory pathways enable anurans lacking tympanic middle ears (termed earless anurans) to hear airborne sound as well as eared species or to better sense vibrations in the environment. We used auditory brainstem recordings to compare hearing and vibrational sensitivity among 10 species (six eared, four earless) within the Neotropical true toad family (Bufonidae). We found that species lacking middle ears are less sensitive to high-frequency sounds, however, low-frequency hearing and vibrational sensitivity are equivalent between eared and earless species. Furthermore, extratympanic hearing sensitivity varies among earless species, highlighting potential species differences in extratympanic hearing mechanisms. We argue that ancestral bufonids may have sufficient extratympanic hearing and vibrational sensitivity such that earless lineages tolerated the loss of high frequency hearing sensitivity by adopting species-specific behavioural strategies to detect conspecifics, predators and prey.

Asymptotic derivation of a refined equation for an elastic beam resting on a Winkler foundation

2021 ◽  
pp. 108128652110238
Author(s):  
Barış Erbaş ◽  
Julius Kaplunov ◽  
Isaac Elishakoff
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Moving Load ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Elastic Beam ◽  
Winkler Foundation ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Beam Equations ◽  
Dimensional Equation ◽  
Phase And Group Velocities ◽  
Group Velocities

A two-dimensional mixed problem for a thin elastic strip resting on a Winkler foundation is considered within the framework of plane stress setup. The relative stiffness of the foundation is supposed to be small to ensure low-frequency vibrations. Asymptotic analysis at a higher order results in a one-dimensional equation of bending motion refining numerous ad hoc developments starting from Timoshenko-type beam equations. Two-term expansions through the foundation stiffness are presented for phase and group velocities, as well as for the critical velocity of a moving load. In addition, the formula for the longitudinal displacements of the beam due to its transverse compression is derived.

A waveform inversion technique for measuring elastic wave attenuation in cylindrical bars

Geophysics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 854-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Ming Tang
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Wave ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Finite Size ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Multiple Reflections ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Attenuation Values

A new technique for measuring elastic wave attenuation in the frequency range of 10–150 kHz consists of measuring low‐frequency waveforms using two cylindrical bars of the same material but of different lengths. The attenuation is obtained through two steps. In the first, the waveform measured within the shorter bar is propagated to the length of the longer bar, and the distortion of the waveform due to the dispersion effect of the cylindrical waveguide is compensated. The second step is the inversion for the attenuation or Q of the bar material by minimizing the difference between the waveform propagated from the shorter bar and the waveform measured within the longer bar. The waveform inversion is performed in the time domain, and the waveforms can be appropriately truncated to avoid multiple reflections due to the finite size of the (shorter) sample, allowing attenuation to be measured at long wavelengths or low frequencies. The frequency range in which this technique operates fills the gap between the resonant bar measurement (∼10 kHz) and ultrasonic measurement (∼100–1000 kHz). By using the technique, attenuation values in a PVC (a highly attenuative) material and in Sierra White granite were measured in the frequency range of 40–140 kHz. The obtained attenuation values for the two materials are found to be reliable and consistent.

Methods to isolate retrograde and prograde Rayleigh-wave signals

2019 ◽  
Vol 219 (2) ◽  
pp. 975-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Gribler ◽  
T Dylan Mikesell
Keyword(s):  
Rayleigh Wave ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Fundamental Mode ◽  
Poisson Ratio ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Wave Dispersion ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Retrograde Motion ◽  
Mode Identification ◽  
Time Frequency

SUMMARY Estimating shear wave velocity with depth from Rayleigh-wave dispersion data is limited by the accuracy of fundamental and higher mode identification and characterization. In many cases, the fundamental mode signal propagates exclusively in retrograde motion, while higher modes propagate in prograde motion. It has previously been shown that differences in particle motion can be identified with multicomponent recordings and used to separate prograde from retrograde signals. Here we explore the domain of existence of prograde motion of the fundamental mode, arising from a combination of two conditions: (1) a shallow, high-impedance contrast and (2) a high Poisson ratio material. We present solutions to isolate fundamental and higher mode signals using multicomponent recordings. Previously, a time-domain polarity mute was used with limited success due to the overlap in the time domain of fundamental and higher mode signals at low frequencies. We present several new approaches to overcome this low-frequency obstacle, all of which utilize the different particle motions of retrograde and prograde signals. First, the Hilbert transform is used to phase shift one component by 90° prior to summation or subtraction of the other component. This enhances either retrograde or prograde motion and can increase the mode amplitude. Secondly, we present a new time–frequency domain polarity mute to separate retrograde and prograde signals. We demonstrate these methods with synthetic and field data to highlight the improvements to dispersion images and the resulting dispersion curve extraction.

Optimally Sensitive and Efficient Compact Loudspeakers for Low Audio Frequencies

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Ronald M. Aarts
Keyword(s):  
Optimality Criterion ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Audio Signal ◽  
Design Procedure ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Force Factor ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Limited Frequency ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

Conventionally, the ultimate goal in loudspeaker design has been to obtain a flat frequency response over a specified frequency range. This can be achieved by carefully selecting the main loudspeaker parameters such as the enclosure volume, the cone diameter, the moving mass and the very crucial “force factor”. For loudspeakers in small cabinets the results of this design procedure appear to be quite inefficient, especially at low frequencies. This paper describes a new solution to this problem. It consists of the combination of a highly non-linear preprocessing of the audio signal and the use of a so called low-force-factor loudspeaker. This combination yields a strongly increased efficiency, at least over a limited frequency range, at the cost of a somewhat altered sound quality. An analytically tractable optimality criterion has been defined and has been verified by the design of an experimental loudspeaker. This has a much higher efficiency and a higher sensitivity than current low-frequency loudspeakers, while its cabinet can be much smaller.

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