US3424254A - Cryogenic method and apparatus for drilling hot geothermal zones - Google Patents
Cryogenic method and apparatus for drilling hot geothermal zones Download PDFInfo
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- US3424254A US3424254A US3424254DA US3424254A US 3424254 A US3424254 A US 3424254A US 3424254D A US3424254D A US 3424254DA US 3424254 A US3424254 A US 3424254A
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- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title description 22
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title description 13
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 18
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 15
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 14
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 9
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004078 cryogenic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000112 cooling gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000254 damaging effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001873 dinitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000266 injurious effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052743 krypton Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DNNSSWSSYDEUBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N krypton atom Chemical compound [Kr] DNNSSWSSYDEUBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N methamphetamine Chemical compound CN[C@@H](C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006060 molten glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052754 neon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GKAOGPIIYCISHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N neon atom Chemical compound [Ne] GKAOGPIIYCISHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052724 xenon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- FHNFHKCVQCLJFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N xenon atom Chemical compound [Xe] FHNFHKCVQCLJFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
- F17C9/02—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B36/00—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
- E21B36/003—Insulating arrangements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/02—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 in situ inhibition of corrosion in boreholes or wells
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
- F17C2201/01—Shape
- F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
- F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
- F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
- F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
- F17C2203/0345—Fibres
- F17C2203/035—Glass wool
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
- F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
- F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
- F17C2205/0323—Valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
- F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
- F17C2221/016—Noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe)
- F17C2221/017—Helium
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
- F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
- F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
- F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
- F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
- F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
- F17C2227/0135—Pumps
Definitions
- This invention relates to a new and novel process for boring holes into hot geothermal zones such as volcanoes and the like. More particularly does this invention relate to a new and novel process by which cold cryogenic fluids are evaporated to provide cooling gases for drill pipe and the cutting edges of boring tools and to remove cuttings from the bottom of the hole and carry them to the earths surface.
- Air as a working medium requires compression and cooling before it can be used to cool the drilling tools, and it must be thoroughly dry to eliminate the possibility of steam pockets being formed from entrained water vapor. Moreover, air provides an oxidizing medium that is injurious to the cutting edges of the boring tool bits at elevated temperatures. Efforts have been made to apply refrigeration and drying methods to these drilling fluids and gases, and inert gases have been substituted for air. However, these applications have always been accompanied by the objectionable requirements of compression, cooling and drying equipment which are both cumbersome and costly.
- Inert cryogens have extremely low temperatures in the liquid state and it is known that these super-cold liquids can be pumped or poured like any other fluid. Furthermore, they can be stored for considerable periods of time in insulated vessels under slight pressure. According to the present invention storage is provided as are means to raise the inert cryogenic fluid to slightly above its critical temperature to "ice volatilize it to gas. The gas is then directed to a receiver tank where it is metered into the drill hole through the boring tool and over the cutting edges of the bit. In addition to providing cooling in the high temperature earth or rock mass so that a solid hole can be formed the gas provides an inert atmosphere around the cutting edges of the drilling tool bit.
- cryogenic drilling method and apparatus that will keep the drill pipe and boring tool cool and also maintain the surrounding rock fromations at a low enough temperature to remain in a solid state.
- Another feature of this invention is to provide cryogenic drilling method and apparatus whereby the drilling tools are kept cool and in which the drilling tool bits are maintained in an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the cutting edges.
- Still another feature of this invention is to provide cryogenic drilling method and apparatus which is of compact design, eflicient, automatic, and which requires no separate auxiliary equipment such as pumps and compressors.
- Yet another feature of this invention is to provide cryogenic drilling apparatus and method which is economical to in stall and operate and which offers ease of maintenance.
- an insulated storage tank 10 is provided to receive and store the liquid cryogenic material.
- the cryogenics which may be considered for use in this method and apparatus include nitrogen, argon, neon, helium, krypton, xenon, and mixtures thereof. It is well known to those skilled in the art that cryogenic materials in the liquid state are supercold but that they can be pumped or poured like any other fluid.
- the temperature in tank 10 is maintained at around minus 292 F. for nitrogen, for example, so that the resultant vapor pressure of gaseous nitrogen over liquid nitrogen will be approximately 60 psi.
- Storage tank 10 has a safety release valve 12. Liquid cryogen is taken out of tank 10 through a line 14 which has a shut-off valve 16.
- a pump 18 specifically adapted to the pumping of cryogenics provides the means by which the liquid is removed from tank 10. From the pump 18 the fluid passes into line 20 having a check valve 22 therein and thence into an evaporator means 24.
- Pump 18 preferably is of the controlled variable volume type. It will be understood in using liquid nitrogen as an example that the temperatures and pressures herein stated are merely by way of example and are considered non-limiting. It is important that the cryogen be stored as a liquid. In an evaporator device 24, preferably utilizing electric heat, the temperature of the liquid nitrogen is raised to its critical temperature or just above minus 232 F. at which the vapor pressure of the nitrogen gas will be in the order of 492 psi.
- evaporator 24 From evaporator 24 the gas passes through line 26 through a back pressure regulating valve 28 and thence into an insulated receiver vessel 30 equipped with cryogenic temperature and pressure sensors 32 and 34, respectively, which in turn control the operation of the liquid nitrogen feed apparatus and the evaporator temperature.
- the compensating type back pressure regulating valve 28 is electrically operated as by means 36 while the evaporator heat control is established with controls 38, and the variable volume cryogenic pump is regulated with volume control 39.
- the sensors 32 and 34 are connected through pressure and temperature control relay 40 to the various elements on the upstream side of the receiver vessel 30.
- the gas passes from the receiver through an outlet line 42 having a spring loaded check valve 44 and a gas flow control valve 46. From line 42 the gas passes into and through a series of insulated pipes 48, 50, 52 and 54, connected by flexible ball joints 56, and into a drill pipe swivel joint 58. The cold gas then passes down the inside of drill pipe 60 where it becomes further pressurized as it picks up heat from the formations being drilled.
- the drilling components are conventional such as means 62 for rotating the drill, drill seal 64 and the boring tool 66 with drill bits 68.
- Surface casing pipe 70 is cemented or attached to surface rock 72 in the formation while the lower end of the drilling stem, of course, will extend into the hot geothermal zone 74.
- the gas passes through ,drill pipe 60 and boring tool 66, past and around bits 68, it returns to the surface outside the drilling pipe carrying with it the cuttings from the bottom of the drill hole.
- the gas and cuttings are taken out of the hole by a discharge line 76.
- the compressed gas issues from appropriate orifices and expands into a region of lesser pressure outside drill pipe 60 generally designated by the number 78.
- the gas issues from the boring tool it expands and cools the cutting edges of the bits. This high velocity gas also keeps the bits clean and free of damaging effects of oxidation at the temperatures at which the boring tool works.
- a method of drilling through hot geothermal zones such as molten lava and the like with a hollow rotary drill stem having a ported bit at its inner end, comprismg:
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Description
Jan. 28, 1969 w. H u FF 3,424,254 CRYOGENIC METH AND APPARATUS FOR DRILLING HOT GEOTHERMAL ZONES Filed Dec. 29, 1965 MAJOR W. HUFF INVENTOR.
fvww, w 5M- ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3 424,254 CRYOGENIC METHCD AND APPARATUS FOR DRILLING HOT GEOTHERMAL ZONES Major Walter Huff, 3361 Craigend, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Filed Dec. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 517,295 US. Cl. 175-17 Int. Cl. E21b 7/00, 41/00 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a new and novel process for boring holes into hot geothermal zones such as volcanoes and the like. More particularly does this invention relate to a new and novel process by which cold cryogenic fluids are evaporated to provide cooling gases for drill pipe and the cutting edges of boring tools and to remove cuttings from the bottom of the hole and carry them to the earths surface.
In present day rrotary drilling, it is common to circulate water or air through the drill pipe and boring tool as a coolant and to bring the cuttings from the bottom of the hole to the surface after they have been broken up by the boring tool. These known methods are, however, not well suited to drilling materials that are at temperatures above the boiling point of water. They become very inefllcient when the temperature of the material being drilled approaches that of molten glass as would be found in volcanoes and other high temperature rock masses. Much thought has been given by science to the tapping of natural high temperature sources for the provision of heat as a basic power source for electricity and other uses. Water based drilling fluids are objectionable at such high temperatures since they turn to steam and pressures become excessive. Other fluids are either too costly or have properties that support combustion with the attendant possibility of fire. Air as a working medium requires compression and cooling before it can be used to cool the drilling tools, and it must be thoroughly dry to eliminate the possibility of steam pockets being formed from entrained water vapor. Moreover, air provides an oxidizing medium that is injurious to the cutting edges of the boring tool bits at elevated temperatures. Efforts have been made to apply refrigeration and drying methods to these drilling fluids and gases, and inert gases have been substituted for air. However, these applications have always been accompanied by the objectionable requirements of compression, cooling and drying equipment which are both cumbersome and costly.
This invention overcomes the disadvantages, diificulties and other impractical considerations inherent in conventional methods and apparatus. Inert cryogens have extremely low temperatures in the liquid state and it is known that these super-cold liquids can be pumped or poured like any other fluid. Furthermore, they can be stored for considerable periods of time in insulated vessels under slight pressure. According to the present invention storage is provided as are means to raise the inert cryogenic fluid to slightly above its critical temperature to "ice volatilize it to gas. The gas is then directed to a receiver tank where it is metered into the drill hole through the boring tool and over the cutting edges of the bit. In addition to providing cooling in the high temperature earth or rock mass so that a solid hole can be formed the gas provides an inert atmosphere around the cutting edges of the drilling tool bit. It then expands into a zone of lesser pressure outside the drilling stem and is carried back to the surface along with the drilling tool cuttings. This unique method of tapping the hitherto unutilized source of heat that resides in volcanoes and other high temperature earth and rock masses provides a new, novel and operable system for obtaining power from nautral sources.
Accordingly it is a prime feature of this invention to provide cryogenic drilling method and apparatus that will keep the drill pipe and boring tool cool and also maintain the surrounding rock fromations at a low enough temperature to remain in a solid state. Another feature of this invention is to provide cryogenic drilling method and apparatus whereby the drilling tools are kept cool and in which the drilling tool bits are maintained in an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the cutting edges. Still another feature of this invention is to provide cryogenic drilling method and apparatus which is of compact design, eflicient, automatic, and which requires no separate auxiliary equipment such as pumps and compressors. Yet another feature of this invention is to provide cryogenic drilling apparatus and method which is economical to in stall and operate and which offers ease of maintenance.
These and other objects, advantages and features will become apparent in the following description of the invention. Reference will be had to the appended drawing which shows schematically the equipment required and the steps involved in the utilization of cryogenic fluid.
Referring now to the drawing it will be seen that an insulated storage tank 10 is provided to receive and store the liquid cryogenic material. The cryogenics which may be considered for use in this method and apparatus include nitrogen, argon, neon, helium, krypton, xenon, and mixtures thereof. It is well known to those skilled in the art that cryogenic materials in the liquid state are supercold but that they can be pumped or poured like any other fluid. The temperature in tank 10 is maintained at around minus 292 F. for nitrogen, for example, so that the resultant vapor pressure of gaseous nitrogen over liquid nitrogen will be approximately 60 psi. Storage tank 10 has a safety release valve 12. Liquid cryogen is taken out of tank 10 through a line 14 which has a shut-off valve 16. A pump 18 specifically adapted to the pumping of cryogenics provides the means by which the liquid is removed from tank 10. From the pump 18 the fluid passes into line 20 having a check valve 22 therein and thence into an evaporator means 24. Pump 18 preferably is of the controlled variable volume type. It will be understood in using liquid nitrogen as an example that the temperatures and pressures herein stated are merely by way of example and are considered non-limiting. It is important that the cryogen be stored as a liquid. In an evaporator device 24, preferably utilizing electric heat, the temperature of the liquid nitrogen is raised to its critical temperature or just above minus 232 F. at which the vapor pressure of the nitrogen gas will be in the order of 492 psi. From evaporator 24 the gas passes through line 26 through a back pressure regulating valve 28 and thence into an insulated receiver vessel 30 equipped with cryogenic temperature and pressure sensors 32 and 34, respectively, which in turn control the operation of the liquid nitrogen feed apparatus and the evaporator temperature. The compensating type back pressure regulating valve 28 is electrically operated as by means 36 while the evaporator heat control is established with controls 38, and the variable volume cryogenic pump is regulated with volume control 39. The sensors 32 and 34, of course, are connected through pressure and temperature control relay 40 to the various elements on the upstream side of the receiver vessel 30.
The gas passes from the receiver through an outlet line 42 having a spring loaded check valve 44 and a gas flow control valve 46. From line 42 the gas passes into and through a series of insulated pipes 48, 50, 52 and 54, connected by flexible ball joints 56, and into a drill pipe swivel joint 58. The cold gas then passes down the inside of drill pipe 60 where it becomes further pressurized as it picks up heat from the formations being drilled. It will be seen that the drilling components are conventional such as means 62 for rotating the drill, drill seal 64 and the boring tool 66 with drill bits 68. Surface casing pipe 70 is cemented or attached to surface rock 72 in the formation while the lower end of the drilling stem, of course, will extend into the hot geothermal zone 74. As the gas passes through ,drill pipe 60 and boring tool 66, past and around bits 68, it returns to the surface outside the drilling pipe carrying with it the cuttings from the bottom of the drill hole. The gas and cuttings are taken out of the hole by a discharge line 76. In the boring tool 66 and bits 68 the compressed gas issues from appropriate orifices and expands into a region of lesser pressure outside drill pipe 60 generally designated by the number 78. As the gas issues from the boring tool it expands and cools the cutting edges of the bits. This high velocity gas also keeps the bits clean and free of damaging effects of oxidation at the temperatures at which the boring tool works.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of this invention. Numerous modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and hence it is not desired to limit the invention to exact construction, operation and method shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of this invention.
What is claimed is:
1. A method of drilling through hot geothermal zones such as molten lava and the like with a hollow rotary drill stem having a ported bit at its inner end, comprismg:
cooling, cleaning and providing an inert atmosphere in and around the drill stem, and solidifying the portions of the geothermal zone contiguous the drill stem, by flowing a super cold, inert, cryogenic gas, first through and then back along the outer surfaces of the drill stem;
rotating said drill stem While moving it endwise into the thus solidified geothermal zone; and
removing the used gases and the cuttings from the drill hole.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the cryogenic gas in the liquid state within an insulated tank; removing such liquid from said tank at a controlled rate; and heating said liquid to change its state to that of a supercold gas.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 616,496 12/1898 Russell 17517 2,621,022 12/1952 Bardill 17517 2,861,780 11/1958 Butler 17517 2,905,444 9/1959 Shepard 17517 2,915,285 12/1959 Deily 175-17 3,100,528 8/1963 Plummer 166-42 3,301,326 1/1967 McNamer 166-39 X OTHER REFERENCES Drilling, publication, April 1962, pp. 51, and 56.
NILE C. BYERS, JR., Primary Examiner.
US. Cl. X.R. 166-39
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US51729565A | 1965-12-29 | 1965-12-29 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3424254A true US3424254A (en) | 1969-01-28 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US3424254D Expired - Lifetime US3424254A (en) | 1965-12-29 | 1965-12-29 | Cryogenic method and apparatus for drilling hot geothermal zones |
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Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3612192A (en) * | 1969-04-14 | 1971-10-12 | James C Maguire Jr | Cryogenic drilling method |
US3650337A (en) * | 1969-07-31 | 1972-03-21 | Aerojet General Co | Cryogenically cooled drill |
US3738424A (en) * | 1971-06-14 | 1973-06-12 | Big Three Industries | Method for controlling offshore petroleum wells during blowout conditions |
US3883177A (en) * | 1974-01-23 | 1975-05-13 | Petru C Baciu | Diamond drill and rock fragment excavation device |
US4191266A (en) * | 1977-03-04 | 1980-03-04 | Wouter H. van Eek | Process and installation for drilling holes in the earth's crust under freezing conditions |
US4593763A (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1986-06-10 | Grayco Specialist Tank, Inc. | Carbon dioxide well injection method |
US20050173156A1 (en) * | 2004-02-09 | 2005-08-11 | Ch2M Hill, Inc. | Horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method |
WO2005077051A2 (en) * | 2004-02-09 | 2005-08-25 | Ch2M Hill, Inc. | Horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method |
WO2006105014A2 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2006-10-05 | University Of Scranton | Cryogenic pulsejet |
US20070108200A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2007-05-17 | Mckinzie Billy J Ii | Low temperature barrier wellbores formed using water flushing |
US20070131415A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-06-14 | Vinegar Harold J | Solution mining and heating by oxidation for treating hydrocarbon containing formations |
US20080185184A1 (en) * | 2007-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | Maguire James Q | Cryogenic drilling method |
US7735935B2 (en) | 2001-04-24 | 2010-06-15 | Shell Oil Company | In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation containing carbonate minerals |
US11029062B2 (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2021-06-08 | Strabo Engineering, LLC | Geothermal heat mining system |
US11821312B2 (en) | 2018-12-21 | 2023-11-21 | Terra Sonic International, LLC | Drilling rig and methods using multiple types of drilling for installing geothermal systems |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US616496A (en) * | 1898-12-27 | Boring-tool | ||
US2621022A (en) * | 1945-02-09 | 1952-12-09 | John D Bardill | Method of drilling overburden, unconsolidated rock formation or placer ground with low-temperature freezing fluids |
US2861780A (en) * | 1956-06-20 | 1958-11-25 | Jimmy L Butler | Means for cooling the cutters of drill bits |
US2905444A (en) * | 1957-07-26 | 1959-09-22 | Jr Alva P Shepard | Core barrel |
US2915285A (en) * | 1956-05-23 | 1959-12-01 | Jersey Prod Res Co | Coring subterranean formations |
US3100528A (en) * | 1961-02-06 | 1963-08-13 | Big Three Welding Equipment Co | Methods for using inert gas |
US3301326A (en) * | 1963-12-31 | 1967-01-31 | Eline Acid Co | Method for selectively increasing the porosity and permeability of subterranean geologic formations |
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1965
- 1965-12-29 US US3424254D patent/US3424254A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (7)
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US616496A (en) * | 1898-12-27 | Boring-tool | ||
US2621022A (en) * | 1945-02-09 | 1952-12-09 | John D Bardill | Method of drilling overburden, unconsolidated rock formation or placer ground with low-temperature freezing fluids |
US2915285A (en) * | 1956-05-23 | 1959-12-01 | Jersey Prod Res Co | Coring subterranean formations |
US2861780A (en) * | 1956-06-20 | 1958-11-25 | Jimmy L Butler | Means for cooling the cutters of drill bits |
US2905444A (en) * | 1957-07-26 | 1959-09-22 | Jr Alva P Shepard | Core barrel |
US3100528A (en) * | 1961-02-06 | 1963-08-13 | Big Three Welding Equipment Co | Methods for using inert gas |
US3301326A (en) * | 1963-12-31 | 1967-01-31 | Eline Acid Co | Method for selectively increasing the porosity and permeability of subterranean geologic formations |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3612192A (en) * | 1969-04-14 | 1971-10-12 | James C Maguire Jr | Cryogenic drilling method |
US3650337A (en) * | 1969-07-31 | 1972-03-21 | Aerojet General Co | Cryogenically cooled drill |
US3738424A (en) * | 1971-06-14 | 1973-06-12 | Big Three Industries | Method for controlling offshore petroleum wells during blowout conditions |
US3883177A (en) * | 1974-01-23 | 1975-05-13 | Petru C Baciu | Diamond drill and rock fragment excavation device |
US4191266A (en) * | 1977-03-04 | 1980-03-04 | Wouter H. van Eek | Process and installation for drilling holes in the earth's crust under freezing conditions |
US4593763A (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1986-06-10 | Grayco Specialist Tank, Inc. | Carbon dioxide well injection method |
US7735935B2 (en) | 2001-04-24 | 2010-06-15 | Shell Oil Company | In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation containing carbonate minerals |
US20050173156A1 (en) * | 2004-02-09 | 2005-08-11 | Ch2M Hill, Inc. | Horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method |
WO2005077051A2 (en) * | 2004-02-09 | 2005-08-25 | Ch2M Hill, Inc. | Horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method |
US7000711B2 (en) | 2004-02-09 | 2006-02-21 | Ch2M Hill, Inc. | Horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method |
WO2005077051A3 (en) * | 2004-02-09 | 2006-04-06 | Ch2M Hill Inc | Horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method |
WO2006105014A2 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2006-10-05 | University Of Scranton | Cryogenic pulsejet |
US20090050367A1 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2009-02-26 | Spalletta Robert A | Cryogenic Pulsejet |
US7681672B2 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2010-03-23 | The University Of Scranton | Cryogenic pulsejet and method of use |
WO2006105014A3 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2007-01-11 | Univ Scranton | Cryogenic pulsejet |
US20070108200A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2007-05-17 | Mckinzie Billy J Ii | Low temperature barrier wellbores formed using water flushing |
US20070137857A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2007-06-21 | Vinegar Harold J | Low temperature monitoring system for subsurface barriers |
US7500528B2 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2009-03-10 | Shell Oil Company | Low temperature barrier wellbores formed using water flushing |
US20070131415A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-06-14 | Vinegar Harold J | Solution mining and heating by oxidation for treating hydrocarbon containing formations |
US20080185184A1 (en) * | 2007-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | Maguire James Q | Cryogenic drilling method |
US11821312B2 (en) | 2018-12-21 | 2023-11-21 | Terra Sonic International, LLC | Drilling rig and methods using multiple types of drilling for installing geothermal systems |
US11029062B2 (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2021-06-08 | Strabo Engineering, LLC | Geothermal heat mining system |
US11428441B2 (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2022-08-30 | Strabo Engineering, LLC | Geothermal heat mining system |
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