| Abstract |
Factors affecting the potential of using polycrystalline diamond compact (ODC) drill bits in geothermal drilling are discussed. Pertinent results from previous laboratory and field tests are reviewed. The two predominant failure mechanism, abrasive cutter wear and catastrophic loss of cutters, are discussed. A temperature activate mechanism for accelerating cutter wear is identified and the implication for hard rock drilling are investigated. An upper bound on drillable rock strength without causing thermally accelerated wear is established for a variety of operating and environmental conditions. |