Introduction
Drilling construction in a complex and changeable geological environment often faces many challenges. Once the stratum’s type original stable equilibrium state is disturbed by the drilling operation, it will quickly break down, causing the hole wall to lose its original support and constraints and become extremely unstable. Common hole wall problems include collapse, block drop, instability, water gushing, diameter reduction, and over-diameter. If these problems are not properly handled, they can severely impede the progress of drilling operations and sometimes even cause accidents within the hole. It can lead to the scrapping of the borehole, significantly affecting drilling quality, reducing efficiency, and increasing costs.
To effectively cope with these challenges, down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology came into being. With its unique wall protection mechanism, this technology has become a powerful tool to solve the problem of wall protection in drilling in complex strata. Through the impact crushing of the DTH hammer and the timely wall protection of the follow-up casing, the down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology can drill holes stably and efficiently in complex strata, ensure the quality of drilling, reduce construction risks, and improve overall construction efficiency. Therefore, the effective application of down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology in complex formations is crucial for enhancing the overall efficiency of drilling operations.
Understand the down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology
The down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology mainly includes eccentric casing system drilling technology and symmetric casing system drilling technology.
The eccentric casing system primarily consists of a DTH hammer, eccentric casing drilling tools, a casing shoe, and a casing. In this system, regardless of the specific eccentric casing drilling tool used, the tool drills a hole larger than the outer diameter of the casing. When drilling to the predetermined formation, the eccentric casing drilling tool can be converged so that its maximum outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the casing shoe and casing. It allows the tool to be withdrawn from the casing, leaving the casing in place to support the hole wall.
The spline of the center drill bit in the symmetric casing system is connected to the hammer, while the casing shoe is connected to the casing through a thread. During drilling, the drill rig provides axial thrust to the drilling tools via the drill pipe and simultaneously drives the hammer, center drill bit, and annular drill bit to rotate. The circlip between the annular drill bit and the casing shoe ensures that the annular drill bit rotates while the casing shoe and casing remain stationary. The axial force transmission primarily relies on the center drill bit, annular drill bit, and the shoulder ring of the casing shoe. After the casing is drilled, the drill rod, DTH hammer, and center drill bit can be lifted out together by slightly reversing the drill rod. The annular bit remains in the hole temporarily, with the outer casing providing wall protection.
Select the appropriate drill rig and rock drilling tools
Selecting the proper drill rig and rock drilling tools is the key to the efficient application of down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology.
- DTH drill rig: select the appropriate drill rig model according to the project scale, rock hardness, drilling depth, and other factors to ensure the drill rig performance is stable and reliable. At the same time, we should pay attention to the maintenance and care of the drill rig to ensure that it always maintains a good working condition during the work process.
- DTH hammer: the DTH hammer is the core component of down-the-hole drilling technology, and its performance directly affects the drilling efficiency and quality. Choosing the appropriate DTH hammer model to ensure that it matches the drill rig, regularly check the wear of the DTH hammer, and replace the seriously worn parts in time.
- Casing: the casing is used to protect the hole wall and prevent the hole wall from collapsing. Select the appropriate casing material and specifications to ensure that the casing can withstand sufficient pressure and has good sealing performance. At the same time, we should pay attention to the connection method and sealing treatment of the casing to ensure safety and stability during the drilling process.
- Drill pipe: the drill pipe is a key component connecting the drill rig and the DTH hammer, and its quality and performance directly affect the drilling efficiency and quality. Select high-quality drill pipe materials to ensure that the drill pipe has sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand various complex working conditions during drilling.
Optimization of drilling process parameters
The selection of drilling process parameters influences the effect of down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology. In practical applications, it is necessary to reasonably set process parameters such as drilling speed, drilling pressure, and rotation speed according to the rock type, drilling depth, hole diameter, and other factors. Optimizing process parameters can improve drilling efficiency, reduce drill bit wear, and lower drilling costs.
Strengthen site management and monitoring
The efficient application of down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology requires strengthening on-site management and monitoring. During the drilling operation, it is necessary to pay close attention to the operating status of the drilling rig, the wear of the rock drilling tools, the changes in the rock in the hole, and other information to promptly discover and solve problems. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen on-site safety management to ensure the safety of the operators.
Focus on environmental protection and energy-saving
While efficiently applying down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology, we also should pay attention to environmental protection and energy saving. During the drilling operation, measures are taken to reduce the emission of noise, dust, and other pollutants to protect the surrounding environment. At the same time, the drilling process is optimized to reduce energy consumption and emissions and to realize green and low-carbon drilling operations.
Conclusion
After examining the efficient application of down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology, it is clear that the key to successful implementation lies in meticulous preliminary planning, precise operation execution, and ongoing optimization and improvement. From selecting appropriate drilling tools and optimizing drilling parameters to enforcing strict quality control and risk management, every step needs to be perfect to ensure the maximum effectiveness of the technology.
Looking to the future, with the continuous advancement of science and technology and the increasing complexity of engineering needs, down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology will face more challenges and opportunities. We look forward to continuously promoting down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology in a more efficient, intelligent, and environmentally friendly direction through continuous technological innovation, talent training, and cross-border cooperation. At the same time, we should also realize that the successful application of technology lies not only in the technology itself but in how we closely integrate it with engineering practice to achieve a harmonious coexistence of technology and engineering. Here, we call on the majority of engineering technicians and researchers to continue to explore the mysteries of down-the-hole hammer drilling with casing technology and jointly promote the innovation and development of this technology.
