Dynamic Rock-Breaking Process of TBM Disc Cutters and Response Mechanism of Rock Mass Based on Discrete Element

Rock-breaking efficiency of full-face rock tunnel boring machine (TBM) is closely related to the performance of the disc cutter and the characteristics of the rock mass. In the point of view of mesomechanics, the particle flow code (PFC) is used to establish a numerical model of the rock mass and the disc cutter, and the process of TBM disc cutter intrusion into the rock mass is analyzed. The dynamic response mechanism and crack evolution process of the rock mass under the action of the disc cutter are studied on the basis of micromechanics, and the relationship between the rock mass crack, penetration, and cutting force during the intrusion of the disc cutter is revealed. The sensitivity analysis is carried out on the confining pressure conditions and the influence parameters of the disc cutter spacing. The results show that the rock breaking by disc cutter undergoes the transformation characteristics of compaction, shearing, and tension failure modes, and the failure process of the rock mass is the joint action of tension and shear. In the whole process of rock breaking, the disc cutter has the phenomenon of repeated loading-unloading alternation and leaping rock breaking; after the penetration of the disc cutter reached 9.0 mm, penetration creaks begin to appear on the surface of the rock mass; the penetration was obviously reduced with the increase of confining pressure, and it is mainly the penetration cracks on the surface; after the disc cutter spacing reaches 100.0 mm, there is no penetration crack between the two disc cutters. The research conclusion can provide a reference for the disc cutter optimization design.

Simulation and Experimental Study on Characteristics of Multiorifice Nozzle in Radial Jet Drilling

The radial jet drilling (RJD) is a key technology to improve the development efficiency of low-permeability oil and gas resources. In order to seek a reasonable hydraulic engineering parameter combination of hydraulic radial jet drilling, to obtain the optimal hydraulic energy distribution, a jet radial horizontal drilling simulation experiment system of the casing windowing is designed. A sequence of experimental investigations focused on engineering parameters of pump displacement, rotating speed, and frequency of high-pressure plunger pump is performed, and the operability and the feasibility of the experiment are verified. To evaluate the maximum drillable length and the self-propelled force of a jet nozzle, a 3D numerical model based on ANSYS-CFX is developed to evaluate the effects of the inlet flow displacement, the flow rates ratio K , and the angle ratio F : B of the forward orifice and backward orifice of the jet nozzle on its maximum drillable length and self-propelled force by sensitivity analysis. Finally, the comparison of numerical simulation results (Ln), mathematical results (Lm), and experiment results (Le) of the maximum drillable length are presented. It is observed that the simulation results are consistent with the experiment results with an average accuracy of 97.07%. Therefore, the proposed numerical model has a good performance in predicting the maximum drillable length of the multiorifice nozzle. The research results can provide theoretical guidance for improving the rock breaking and drilling capability of radial jet drilling technology.

Vibration Effect Induced by Rock Breaking Technology Based on Dry Ice and Energy-gathered Agent in Trench Excavation

Rock breaking technology based on dry ice and energy-gathered agent has been developed and successfully applied in trench excavation for construction of oil pipeline. The vibration velocity waveform induced by this technology was monitored in site test to determine the attenuation law of vibration velocity with hypocentral distance. The results show that this rock breaking technology is effective method of trench excavation. It does not excessively damage the adjacent rock mass, ensuring the integrity of ditch walls. The vibration velocity induced by this technology is decay with the increase of hypocentral distance. At the hypocentral distance of 10m, the vibration velocity reduces to less than 20mm/s, which meets the requirements of the safety standard of blasting vibration in general buildings engineering. The results of this experiment have an important guiding effect on the field engineering practice and application of rock breaking technology based on dry ice and energy-gathered agent.

Progress and development of particle jet drilling speed-increasing technology and rock-breaking mechanism for deep well

Increasing drilling speed and efficiency of hard formation for deep and ultra-deep well is one of the international recognized drilling problems and key technologies to be tackled urgently. Particle jet impact drilling technology is an efficient non-contact rock-breaking method to overcome slow drilling speed, which has great development and application potential in drilling speed-increase of hard formation and deep well. High efficiency drilling technology and rock-breaking speed-increase mechanism in high temperature, high pressure and high hardness formations of deep and ultra-deep wells were mainly focused and keynoted in this paper. With extensive investigation of domestic and foreign literature, the working principle, key technical devices, deep-well-rock mechanical characteristic, unconventional constitutive model and rock-breaking mechanism of particle jet impact drilling technology were analyzed, which proved the feasibility and high efficiency for deep and hard stratum, and also, dynamic failure mechanism of rock needs to be elaborated by constructing the constitutive model with high temperature and pressure. Meanwhile, the major problems to be solved at present and development direction future were summarized, which mainly included: miniaturization of drilling equipment and individualization of drilling bit; optimization of jet parameters and the evaluation method of rock-breaking effect; establishment of mechanical property and unconventional constitutive model of deep-well-rock; rock-breaking mechanism and dynamic response under particle jet coupling impact. The research can help for better understanding of deep-well drilling speed-increasing technology and also promote the development and engineering application of particle jet impact drilling speed-increase theory and equipment.

Dynamic research and experimental analysis of a longitudinal–torsional coupled impactor

The rock breaking efficiency of drill bit is deeply affected with the increase of drilling depth. The increase length of the drill string leads to torsional stiffness decrease, which may even result in the stick-slip phenomena. In order to improve the rock breaking efficiency and reduce the stick-slip, this paper proposed a longitudinal–torsional coupled impactor. The internal working mechanism was carried out by theoretical analysis and experimental test. Moreover, comparing the computation and test results, the following conclusions can be obtained and verified. This innovative design can provide appropriate longitudinal-torsional coupled impact to drill bit during drilling process, and the movement of the hammer and pendulum is periodic. With the increasing flow rate of drilling fluid, this tool can generate corresponding larger impact force, torque and higher impact frequency. The theoretical analysis results are consistent with the experimental test results, which verify the reliability of the innovative design and the accuracy of theoretical analysis. This paper can provide reference for the innovative design of downhole drilling tool, the development of drilling dynamics and the improvement of drilling efficiency especially in the conditions of complex and ultra-deep wells.

Liquid CO2 Phase-Transition Rock Fracturing: A Novel Technology for Safe Rock Excavation

In order to determine the applicability of liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing technology in rock mass excavations, the principles of CO2 phase-transition fracturing were analyzed, and field tests of liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing were performed. An “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) camera shooting + Microstructure Image Processing System (MIPS) analyzing” method was used to acquire the rock mass characteristics. Further, the Hilbert–Huang Transform (HHT) energy analysis principle was adopted to analyze the characteristics of fracturing vibration waves. The experimental results showed that during the process of fracturing, there were both dynamic actions of rock breakage due to excitation stress wave impacts, and quasi-static actions of rock breakage caused by gasification expansion wedges. In semi-infinite spaces, rock-breakage zones can mainly be divided into crushing zones, fracture zones, and vibration zones. At the same time, under ideal fracturing effects and large volumes, the fracturing granularity will be in accordance with the fractal laws. For example, the larger the fractal dimensions, the higher the proportion of small fragments, and vice versa. Moreover, the vibration waves of the liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing have short durations, fast attenuation, and fewer high-frequency components. The dominant frequency band of energy will range between 0 and 20 Hz. The liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing technology has been observed to overcome the shortcomings of traditional explosive blasting methods and can be applied to a variety of rock types. It is a safe and efficient method for rock-breaking excavations; therefore, the above technology effectively provides a new method for the follow-up of similar engineering practices.

Study on Composite Design Suitable for High Hardness and Strong Abrasive Formation

PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact bit) composite is the most important cutting element of petroleum bit, which performance directly affects the service effect and service life of the bit. During the drilling process, the cutter will produce a large amount of friction heat when cutting the rock, resulting in a sharp increase in the internal temperature of the cutter. When the temperature reaches a certain value, thermal wear and tear are very easy to occur, which will not only cause diamond delamination but also reduce the wear resistance of the cutter. Under the action of impact load, impact failure is more likely to occur, which greatly reduces the service life of the cutter and the rock-breaking efficiency of the drill bit. Therefore, this paper studies the composite interface suitable for high-temperature drilling through the changes of cutting tooth temperature field and stress field with different interface shapes, which shows that the non-planar interface is more suitable for improving the cutting tooth life of composite under the action of comprehensive stress field.