Development Testing of a Cornering Water-Jet Drill

摘要

A drilling system is being developed which uses high pressure water jets to drill horizontal holes in a coal seam accessed through a vertical borehole. For underground coal gasification, these horizontal holes create linking paths between vertical process wells. Currently, the full-scale cornering drill system is undergoing above-ground evaluation tests in Albuquerque. An elevated test platform is being used to permit observation of the cornering and drilling mechanisms during operation. A simulated coal block serves as a convenient drilling target during these tests. Recorded hole location data have been compared with independently determined measurements. Test results to date indicate satisfactory performance of the major drill components. 10 figs. (ERA citation 07:059918)