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 Water jet may refer to: * A jet of water under pressure, like in an ornamental fountain * Pump-jet, a marine propulsion mechanism for jetskis and other types of boats * Water jet cutter, a tool for cutting and the machining of engineering material ...

, hydrothermal spallation and

laser A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". The fir ...

. Companies that embrace plasma-drilling method include GA Drilling, headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia.

High-energy plasma

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

electric arc An electric arc, or arc discharge, is an electrical breakdown of a gas that produces a prolonged electrical discharge. The electric current, current through a normally Electrical conductance, nonconductive medium such as air produces a plasma (p ...

is a breakdown of a gas that produces a

plasma Plasma or plasm may refer to: Science * Plasma (physics), one of the four fundamental states of matter * Plasma (mineral), a green translucent silica mineral * Quark–gluon plasma, a state of matter in quantum chromodynamics Biology * Blood pla ...

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 A glow discharge is a plasma formed by the passage of electric current through a gas. It is often created by applying a voltage between two electrodes in a glass tube containing a low-pressure gas. When the voltage exceeds a value called the str ...

, 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

# Higher drilling energy efficiency # Continuous drilling without replacement of mechanical parts # Constant casing diameter # Effective transport of disintegrated rock

References

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2006) "The Future of Geothermal Energy"

Celim Slovakia (2011) "Arc Discharge, Plasma Torch (different approaches)"

Pierce, K.G., Livesay, B.J., Finger J.T. (1996) "Advanced Drilling System Study"
Drilling technology Geothermal drilling Geothermal energy Mining engineering Plasma technology and applications

High-energy plasma

Physical principle of electrical plasma

Advantages

See also

References