| Title | An Innovative Method for Drilling Well-Bores: Apparatus for Drilling Deeper and Wider Wellbores (ADDWW) |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lakic, Nikola |
| Year | 2012 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | In-ground drilling; drilling method; deep wellbore; wide wellbore; motorized drill head; excavations; cooling system; heat exchanger; apparatus for drilling deeper and wider wellbores; self contained in-ground geothermal generator |
| Abstract | Existing drilling technologies have limitations relevant to the depth and diameter of the well bore. In this regard, well bores having a wider diameter cannot be drilled as deep as a well bore with a smaller diameter. Accordingly, there exists a need for a drilling apparatus and a method for drilling a relatively deeper well bore having a relatively wider diameter and reduced drilling cost when compared to conventional drilling technologies. The Apparatus for Drilling, Deeper and Wider Wellbores (ADDWW) can solve those limitations. A method for drilling deeper and wider well bores consist of an apparatus having a motorized drill head for cutting and shredding ground material; a separate excavation line for transporting cuttings up to the ground surface; a separate line for delivering filtered fluid to the bottom of the well bore; and a separate close loop engine cooling line. The excavation line consists of multiple connected segments of a stationary (not rotating) main pipe with a rotating continues screw in side configured to move mud and cuttings upward. The diameter of the excavation line and the rate of flow of the mud and cuttings through it and the diameter of the fluid delivery line and the rate of fluid flow through it are in balance requiring only a limited fluid column at the bottom of the well-bore. The excavation process continues regardless of depth and diameter of the drill head (well-bore) and therefore this method eliminates well known drilling limitations relative to depth and diameter of the well- bore. |