Drillability and mechanical parameters of laser hot cracking sandstones

Authors

YANG Lei, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resource & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaFollow
YANG Bengao, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resource & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaFollow
LIU Junjun, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resource & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
ZHOU Xuemin, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
XIE Jing, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resource & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
WANG Chen, Henan Pingbao Coal Co., Ltd., Xuchang 461714, China
GUO Chenchen, Henan Pingbao Coal Co., Ltd., Xuchang 461714, China
GAO Mingzhong, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resource & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

Abstract

Over recent years, shallow coal resources that can be easily mined have been gradually exhausted. As a result, conventional drilling techniques tend to face challenges such as low rock-breaking efficiency, high drilling costs, and environmental pollution in the exploration and exploitation of deep coal resources. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce a new auxiliary rock-breaking technique for drilling. Focusing on the new laser-assisted rock-breaking technology, this study systematically conducted mechanical and drillability tests on sandstones after laser irradiation for different durations, aiming to explore the temporal and spatial evolution of the temperature field of hard sandstones, the propagation of cracks on the sandstone surfaces, and the mechanical parameters and drilling efficiency of sandstones under laser irradiation. The results are as follows. (1) With an increase in laser irradiation time, the number of cracks on the sandstone surface gradually increased from two to five, with the cracking area increasing from 6.78 mm² to 36.85 mm². (2) The evolution of the temperature field exhibited the Gaussian distribution, presenting a circular decrement from the hot-melt zone to the low-heat zone. After 15 s of laser irradiation, the thermal equilibrium was reached, with the evolution of the temperature field tending to be stabilized. (3) After 50 s of laser irradiation, the compressive strength and elastic modulus of sandstones decreased by up to 74.6% and 92.7%, respectively, and the axial peak strain increased from 0.52% to 1.65%. These results indicate that sandstones shifted from an elastic state to a semiplastic/plastic state after laser irradiation. (4) After 50 s of laser irradiation, the penetration rate of sandstones increased from 0.09 mm/s to 4.30 mm/s, and the weight loss ratio increased from 2.73% to 27.36%. (5) Appropriately setting laser parameters could improve rock-breaking efficiency and reduce drilling costs. The penetration rate and weight loss ratio of sandstones increased the most after 20 s of laser irradiation, when fast and economical rock-breaking could be achieved. This study preliminarily demonstrates the efficiency and feasibility of the laser-assisted rock-breaking technique, thus providing a theoretical basis for efficient rock-breaking in deep drilling.

Keywords

drilling rock-breaking, sandstone, laser-assisted rock breaking, rock-breaking efficiency

DOI

10.12363/issn.1001-1986.23.06.0367

Recommended Citation

YANG Lei, YANG Bengao, LIU Junjun, et al. (2023) "Drillability and mechanical parameters of laser hot cracking sandstones," Coal Geology & Exploration: Vol. 51: Iss. 8, Article 19.
DOI: 10.12363/issn.1001-1986.23.06.0367
Available at: https://cge.researchcommons.org/journal/vol51/iss8/19

Reference

[1] GAO Mingzhong,YANG Bengao,XIE Jing,et al. The mechanism of microwave rock breaking and its potential application to rock–breaking technology in drilling[J]. Petroleum Science,2022,19(3):1110−1124.

[2] GAO Mingzhong,HAO Haichun,XUE Shouning,et al. Discing behavior and mechanism of cores extracted from Songke–2 well at depths below 4,500 m[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,2022,149:104976.

[3] TANG Maoying,GAO Mingzhong,LI Shuwu,et al. Failure behavior and energy evolution characteristics of deep roadway sandstone under different microwave irradiation modes[J]. Journal of Central South University,2023,30(1):214−226.

[4] GAO Mingzhong,LI Hongmei,ZHAO Yun,et al. Mechanism of micro–wetting of highly hydrophobic coal dust in underground mining and new wetting agent development[J]. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology,2023,33(1):31−46.

[5] GAO Mingzhong,XIE Jing,GAO Ya’nan,et al. Mechanical behavior of coal under different mining rates:A case study from laboratory experiments to field testing[J]. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology,2021,31(5):825−841.

[6] GAO Mingzhong，XIE Jing，GUO Jun，et al. Fractal evolution and connectivity characteristics of mining−induced crack networks in coal masses at different depths[J]. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo–Energy and Geo–Resources，2021，7(1)：1−20.

[7] GAO Mingzhong，ZHOU Xuemin，WANG Xuan，et al. Mechanical behavior of coal under true triaxial loading test connecting the effect of excavation−and mining−induced disturbances[J]. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo−Energy and Geo−Resources，2023，9(1)：1−15.

[8] 汪海阁,黄洪春,毕文欣,等. 深井超深井油气钻井技术进展与展望[J]. 天然气工业,2021,41(8):163−177.

WANG Haige,HUANG Hongchun,BI Wenxin,et al. Deep and ultra–deep oil/gas well drilling technologies:Progress and prospect[J]. Natural Gas Industry,2021,41(8):163−177.

[9] JAMALI S,WITTIG V,BÖRNER J,et al. Application of high powered laser technology to alter hard rock properties towards lower strength materials for more efficient drilling,mining,and geothermal energy production[J]. Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment,2019,20:100112.

[10] YANG Bengao,GAO Mingzhong,XIE Jing,et al. Exploration of weakening mechanism of uniaxial compressive strength of deep sandstone under microwave irradiation[J]. Journal of Central South University,2022,29(2):611−623.

[11] YANG Bengao，XIE Jing，YANG Yiming，et al. Anisotropy and size effect of the fractal characteristics of rock fracture surfaces under microwave irradiation：An experimental research[J/OL]. Fractals，2022：1−16[2023-07-23]. DOI：10. 1142/S0218348X23401230.

[12] 张毅,李皋,王希勇,等. 川西须家河组致密砂岩高温后微组构特征及对力学性能的影响[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报,2021,40(11):2249−2259.

ZHANG Yi,LI Gao,WANG Xiyong,et al. Microfabric characteristics of tight sandstone of Xujiahe Formation in western Sichuan after high temperature and the effect on mechanical properties[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering,2021,40(11):2249−2259.

[13] 马卫国,杨增辉,易先中,等. 国内外激光钻井破岩技术研究与发展[J]. 石油矿场机械,2008,37(11):11−17.

MA Weiguo,YANG Zenghui,YI Xianzhong,et al. Current progresses on laser drilling technology[J]. Oil Field Equipment,2008,37(11):11−17.

[14] 徐依吉,周长李,钱红彬,等. 激光破岩方法研究及在石油钻井中的应用展望[J]. 石油钻探技术,2010,38(4):129−134.

XU Yiji,ZHOU Changli,QIAN Hongbin,et al. The study of laser rock breaking method and its application in well drilling[J]. Petroleum Drilling Techniques,2010,38(4):129−134.

[15] 闫静,王德贵,左永强,等. 激光钻井技术进展及其关键技术[J]. 机械工程师,2021(1):88−90.

YAN Jing,WANG Degui,ZUO Yongqiang,et al. Development status and key technologies of laser drilling technology[J]. Mechanical Engineer,2021(1):88−90.

[16] DANESHPOUR S,DYCK J,VENTZKE V,et al. Crack retardation mechanism due to overload in base material and laser welds of Al alloys[J]. International Journal of Fatigue,2012,42:95−103.

[17] LI Zifeng. Criteria for jet cavitation and cavitation jet drilling[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,2014,71:204−207.

[18] 罗鸣,冯永存,桂云,等. 高温高压钻井关键技术发展现状及展望[J]. 石油科学通报,2021,6(2):228−244.

LUO Ming,FENG Yongcun,GUI Yun,et al. Development status and prospect of key technologies for high temperature and high pressure drilling[J]. Petroleum Science Bulletin,2021,6(2):228−244.

[19] KARIMINEZHAD H,AMANI H,MOOSAPOOR M. A laboratory study about laser perforation of concrete for application in oil and gas wells[J]. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering,2016,32:566−573.

[20] FU Fuxing,ZHANG Yanli,CHANG Gengrong,et al. Analysis on the physical mechanism of laser cladding crack and its influence factors[J]. Optik,2016,127(1):200−202.

[21] ZHENG Y L,ZHANG Q B,ZHAO J. Effect of microwave treatment on thermal and ultrasonic properties of gabbro[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering,2017,127:359−369.

[22] BAKHTBIDAR M,HAFIZI R,BAKHTBIDAR M,et al. Effectiveness assessment of a new advanced laser perforation technique for improving well productivity[J]. Optics and Laser Technology,2020,129:106301.

[23] HU Mingxuan,BAI Yang,CHEN Haowei,et al. Engineering characteristics of laser perforation with a high power fiber laser in oil and gas wells[J]. Infrared Physics & Technology,2018,92:103−108.

[24] 郭辰光,孙瑜,岳海涛,等. 激光辐照热裂破岩规律及力学性能[J]. 煤炭学报,2022,47(4):1734−1742.

GUO Chenguang,SUN Yu,YUE Haitao,et al. Law and mechanics of thermal cracking of rock by laser irradiation[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2022,47(4):1734−1742.

[25] NDEDA R A,SEBUSANG S E,MARUMO R,et al. Numerical model of laser spallation drilling of inhomogeneous rock[J]. IFAC–PapersOnLine,2017,50(2):43−46.

[26] LI Qin,ZHAI Yuli,HUANG Zhiqiang,et al. Research on crack cracking mechanism and damage evaluation method of granite under laser action[J]. Optics Communications,2022,506:127556.

[27] KUANG Lianfei,SUN Lipeng,YU Dongxu,et al. Experimental investigation on compressive strength,ultrasonic characteristic and cracks distribution of granite rock irradiated by a moving laser beam[J]. Applied Sciences,2022,12(20):10681.

[28] GUO Chenguang,SUN Yu,YUE Haitao,et al. Experimental research on laser thermal rock breaking and optimization of the process parameters[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,2022,160:105251.

[29] 李美艳,韩彬,张世一,等. 不同介质条件下激光照射岩石实验研究[J]. 应用激光,2017,37(5):709−714.

LI Meiyan,HAN Bin,ZHANG Shiyi,et al. Experimental study of laser irradiation of rocks under different media conditions[J]. Applied Laser,2017,37(5):709−714.

[30] DENG Rong,LIU Jianping,KANG Minqiang,et al. Simulation and experimental research of laser scanning breaking granite[J]. Optics Communications,2022,502:127403.

[31] MAO Shuai,SHI Xiangchao,MENG Yingfeng,et al. Experimental investigation of rock drillability for three rock types under varying wellbore pressure conditions[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering,2018,51(8):2439−2445.

[32] 毛帅. 提高岩心可钻性评价实用性研究[D]. 成都：西南石油大学，2018.

MAO Shuai. Improve the practicability study of the core drillability evaluation[D]. Chengdu：Southwest Petroleum University，2018.

[33] 王泽桂. 激光照射花岗岩温度演变及热裂特性研究[D]. 徐州：中国矿业大学，2022.

WANG Zegui. Study on temperature evolution and thermal cracking characteristics of granite irradiated by fiber laser[D]. Xuzhou：China University of Mining and Technology，2022.

[34] CHEN Ke,HUANG Zhiqiang,DENG Rong,et al. Research on the temperature and stress fields of elliptical laser irradiated sandstone,and drilling with the elliptical laser–assisted mechanical bit[J]. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,2022,211:110147.

[35] 冯上鑫,王善勇. 旋切作用下岩石破碎机理及岩石可钻性的试验研究[J]. 煤炭学报,2022,47(3):1395−1404.

FENG Shangxin,WANG Shanyong. Experimental study of rock–bit interaction mechanism for rock drillability assessment in rotary drilling[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2022,47(3):1395−1404.

[36] 朱传庆,陈驰,杨亚波,等. 岩石热导率影响因素实验研究及其对地热资源评估的启示[J]. 石油科学通报,2022,7(3):321−333.

ZHU Chuanqing,CHEN Chi,YANG Yabo,et al. Experimental study into the factors influencing rock thermal conductivity and their significance to geothermal resource assessment[J]. Petroleum Science Bulletin,2022,7(3):321−333.