Development of a Drilling and Coring Test-bed for Lunar Subsurface Exploration and Preliminary Experiments

Drill sampling has been widely employed as an effective way to acquire deep samples in extraterrestrial exploration. A novel sampling method, namely, flexible-tube coring, was adopted for the Chang＇e mission to acquire drilling cores without damaging stratification information. Since the extraterrestrial environment is uncertain and different from the terrestrial environment, automated drill sampling missions are at risk of failure. The principles of drilling and coring for the lunar subsurface should be fully tested and verified on earth before launch. This paper proposes a test-bed for conducting the aforementioned experiments on earth. The test-bed comprises a rotary-percussive drilling mechanism, penetrating mechanism, drilling medium container, and signal acquisition and control system. For granular soil, coring experiments indicate that the sampling method has a high coring rate greater than 80%. For hard rock, drilling experiments indicate that the percussive frequency greatly affects the drilling efficiency. A multi-layered simulant composed of granular soil and hard rock is built to test the adaptability of drilling and coring. To tackle complex drilling media, an intelligent drilling strategy based on online recognition is proposed to improve the adaptability of the sampling drill. The primary features of this research are the proposal of a scheme for drilling and coring a test-bed for validation on earth and the execution of drilling experiments in complex media.

Investigation of active vibration drilling using acoustic emission and cutting size analysis

This paper describes an investigation of active bit vibration on the penetration mechanisms and bit-rock interaction for drilling with a diamond impregnated coring bit. A series of drill-off tests(DOTs) were conducted where the drilling rate-of-penetration(ROP) was measured at a series of step-wise increasing static bit thrusts or weight-on-bits(WOBs). Two active DOTs were conducted by applying 60 Hz axial vibration at the bit-rock interface using an electromagnetic vibrating table mounted underneath the drilling samples, and a passive DOT was conducted where the bit was allowed to vibrate naturally with lower amplitude due to the compliance of the drilling sample mountings. During drilling, an acoustic emission(AE) system was used to record the AE signals generated by the diamond cutter penetration and the cuttings were collected for grain size analysis. The instrumented drilling system recorded the dynamic motions of the bit-rock interface using a laser displacement sensor, a load cell, and an LVDT(linear variable differential transformer) recorded the dynamic WOB and the ROP, respectively. Calibration with the drilling system showed that rotary speed was approximately the same at any given WOB, facilitating comparison of the results at the same WOB. Analysis of the experimental results shows that the ROP of the bit at any given WOB increased with higher amplitude of axial bit-rock vibration, and the drill cuttings increased in size with a higher ROP. Spectral analysis of the AEs indicated that the higher ROP and larger cutting size were correlated with a higher AE energy and a lower AE frequency. This indicated that larger fractures were being created to generate larger cutting size. Overall, these results indicate that a greater magnitude of axial bit-rock vibration produces larger fractures and generates larger cuttings which, at the same rotary speed, results in a higher ROP.

Relationship between rock uniaxial compressive strength and digital core drilling parameters and its forecast method

The rock uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)is the basic parameter for support designs in underground engineering.In particular,the rock UCS should be obtained rapidly for underground engineering with complex geological conditions,such as soft rock,fracture areas,and high stress,to adjust the excavation and support plan and ensure construction safety.To solve the problem of obtaining real-time rock UCS at engineering sites,a rock UCS forecast idea is proposed using digital core drilling.The digital core drilling tests and uniaxial compression tests are performed based on the developed rock mass digital drilling system.The results indicate that the drilling parameters are highly responsive to the rock UCS.Based on the cutting and fracture characteristics of the rock digital core drilling,the mechanical analysis of rock cutting provides the digital core drilling strength,and a quantitative relationship model(CDP-UCS model)for the digital core drilling parameters and rock UCS is established.Thus,the digital core drilling-based rock UCS forecast method is proposed to provide a theoretical basis for continuous and quick testing of the surrounding rock UCS.

Chemical weathering profile in the V–Ti–Fe mine tailings pond:a basalt-weathering analog

The(ultra-)mafic mine tailings pond revealed a weathering discrepancy in the tailings profile,which provided a valuable analog to assess the role of carbonate and silicate weathering of the basalt.In this study,drill-cores samples were selected from the Wanniangou V–Ti–Fe mine tailings pond(Sichuan province,China)to investigate the mineralogicand geochemical characteristics in the tailings profile.The results reveal(1)the tailings pond profile consist of upper and lower layers.The upper layer is composed of carbonate weathering(1.4%),which was formed in the initial stages of tailings exposure and represented a minimal weathering degree.(2)The lower layer was primarily observed at the aquifer zone of the tailings pond,and was consistent with 0.45%carbonate weathering and 48.4%silicate weathering.(3)The weathering discrepancy in the tailings profile could be due to the sulfide oxidation and aerobic/flowing aquifer,which facilitate the water-tailings reactions.The tailings profile provides an analog to studying basalt weathering,as it spans both carbonate and silicate weathering.This research reinforces the idea that silicate weathering is predominant in basaltic areas and plays a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO_(2)(carbon dioxide)levels on Earth.

Geochemical characteristics of Sr isotopes in the LS33 drill core from the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea, and their response to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau

Making full use of modern analytical and testing techniques to explore and establish new indexes or methods for extracting paleoseawater geochemical information from sediments will help to reconstruct the sedimentary paleoenvironment in different research areas.The connection between the subsidence of the South China Sea basin and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau has been a scientific concern in recent decades.To explore the information on the sedimentary paleoenvironment,provenance changes and uplift of Tibetan Plateau contained in core sediments(debris),we selected core samples from Well LS33 in the Qiongdongnan Basin,South China Sea,and analyzed the contents of typical elements(Al,Th,and rare earth elements)that can indicate changes in provenance and the Sr isotopic compositions,which can reveal the geochemical characteristics of the paleoseawater depending on the type of material(authigenic carbonate and terrigenous detritus).The results show the following:(1)during the late Miocene,the Red River transported a large amount of detrital sediments from the ancient continental block(South China)to the Qiongdongnan Basin.(2)The authigenic carbonates accurately record changes in the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the South China Sea since the Oligocene.These ratios reflect the semi-closed marginal sea environment of the South China Sea(relative to the ocean)and the sedimentary paleoenvironment evolution process of the deep-water area of the Qiongdongnan Basin from continental to transitional and then to bathyal.(3)Since the Neogene,the variations in the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the authigenic carbonates have been consistent with the variations in the uplift rate of the Tibetan Plateau and the sediment accumulation rate in the Qiongdongnan Basin.These consistent changes indicate the complex geological process of the change in the rock weathering intensity and terrigenous Sr flux caused by changes in the uplift rate of the Tibetan Plateau,which influence the Sr isotope composition of seawater.

Design,test,and verification of in-situ condition preserved coring and analysis system in lunar-based simulation environment

The lunar surface and its deep layers contain abundant resources and valuable information resources,the exploration and exploitation of which are important for the sustainable development of the human economy and society.Technological exploration and research in the field of deep space science,especially lunar-based exploration,is a scientific strategy that has been pursued in China and worldwide.Drilling and sampling are key to accurate exploration of the desirable characteristics of deep lunar resources.In this study,an in-situ condition preserved coring(ICP-Coring)and analysis system,which can be used to test drilling tools and develop effective sampling strategies,was designed.The key features of the system include:(1)capability to replicate the extreme temperature fluctuations of the lunar environment(-185 to 200℃)with intelligent temperature control;(2)ability to maintain a vacuum environment at a scale of 10^(-3) Pa,both under unloaded conditions within Ф580 mm×1000 mm test chamber,and under loaded conditions using Ф400 mm×800 mm lunar rock simulant;(3)application of axial pressures up to 4 MPa and confining pressures up to 3.5 MPa;(4)sample rotation at any angle with a maximum sampling length of 800 mm;and(5)multiple modes of rotary-percussive drilling,controlled by penetration speed and weight on bit(WOB).Experimental studies on the drilling characteristics in the lunar rock simulant-loaded state under different drill bit-percussive-vacuum environment configurations were conducted.The results show that the outgassing rate of the lunar soil simulant is greater than that of the lunar rock simulant and that a low-temperature environment contributes to a reduced vacuum of the lunar-based simulated environment.The rotary-percussive drilling method effectively shortens the sampling time.With increasing sampling depth,the temperature rise of the drilling tools tends to rapidly increase,followed by slow growth or steady fluctuations.The temperature rise energy accumulation of the drill bits under vacuum is more significant than that under atmospheric pressure,approximately 1.47 times higher.The real-time monitored drilling pressure,penetration speed and rotary torque during drilling serve as parameters for discriminating the drilling status.The results of this research can provide a scientific basis for returning samples from lunar rock in extreme lunar-based environments.

Discovery of lacustrine shale deposits in the Yanshan Orogenic Belt,China: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration

The mechanism of formation of lacustrine deposits within stable orogenic belts and their potential for shale oil and gas exploration are frontier themes of challenge in the fields of sedimentology and petroleum exploration. Orogenic belts witness strong tectonic activities and normally cannot host stable lacustrine basins and deep shale formations. Therefore, basins in orogenic belts are considered to have no potential to form shale hydrocarbon reservoirs. Here we investigate the Luanping Basin located in the Yanshan orogenic belt where previous studies regarded rivers and fan deltas as the major main Mesozoic deposits. Based on detailed field exploration and scientific drilling, we report the finding of a large number of lacustrine shale continental deep-water deposits in the Mesozoic strata. Our finding of the occurrence of active shale oil and gas also in this basin also subvert the previous perceptions.We report SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age that define the bottom boundary of the target interval as 127.6 ± 1.7 Ma belonging to the early Cretaceous strata. Tectonics and climate are considered to be the main factors that controlled the deep-water sedimentation during this period. The drill cores revealed evidence of shale gas and the TOC of shale is 0.33%–3.60%, with an average value of 1.39% and Ro is 0.84%–1.21%, with an average value of 1.002%. The brittleness index of shale is between 52.7% and 100%. After vertical well fracturing, the daily gas production is more than 1000 m^(3). Our findings show that the basin has considerable potential for shale oil and gas. The geological resources of the shale gas in the Xiguayuan Fm. are estimated as 1110.12 × 10^(8) m^(3), with shale oil geological resources of 3340.152 × 10^(4) t. Our findings indicate that the Yanshan orogenic belt has potential exploration prospect. This work not only redefines the Luanping Basin as a rift deep-water Mesozoic Lake Basin, but also rules out the previous notion that the basin is dominated by shallow water sediments. The discovery of shale oil and gas also provides an important reference for subsequent petroleum exploration and development in this basin. Our study shows that shale oil and gas reservoirs can be found in the lacustrine basins of orogenic belts which were strongly influenced by volcanism. These results have significant implications for the sedimentology and oil exploration in the Qinling and Xingmeng Orogenic Belts of China, as well as those in other terranes of the world including the New England Orogenic Belt in Australia.

Analysis of Chang’e-5 lunar core drilling process

Chang’e-5 explorer successfully acquired lunar regolith core samples from depths of greater than 1 m of lunar surface.This study analyzed the lunar core drilling process based on the telemetry data,image information,and returned samples to optimize the sampling device design and enhance the understanding of the lunar regolith.In particular,a prediction method for the projected drilling path and local terrain fitting of drilling dip angle was proposed based on the flight events recorded during the core drilling process and the image information acquired before,during,and after sampling.The results revealed that the drilling dip angle of Chang’e-5 was approximately2.3.,and the deviation of the drilling length and depth was less than 2 mm.For continuous drilling,a fusion method based on telemetry data and image information was applied to determine the demarcation point of drilling with and without the lunar soil.The position of the demarcation point implied that the drilling point remained at approximately 6 mm loose soil,thereby lagging the action of the force response.Additionally,a characteristic parameter comparison method was proposed for the lunar and ground drilling to analyze the status of the lunar soil.Furthermore,the analysis results revealed that the majority of the Chang’e-5 drilling samples were derived from 0–73.8 cm below the lunar surface and few samples were extracted below 73.8 cm,as the drilling encountered several rocky regions.Moreover,the drilling point exhibited two prominent stratification variations at~28.7 cm and~70 cm below the lunar surface.Ultimately,the preliminary relationship between sample dissected position in soft tube and drilling displacement was analyzed.The segmented estimation results can support research on subsurface lunar soil.

In situ stress measurement and analysis of the stress accumulation levels in coal mines in the northern Ordos Basin,China

For non-directional drilling cores,selection of samples and the test methods for in situ stress measurements to evaluate the Kaiser effect(KE)were proposed,and the magnitude and direction of the principal stresses were derived from first principles.Based on this approach,the KE for 423 samples in the Burtai and Baode coal mines in the northern Ordos Basin(NOB),China,have been investigated.The results show that the maximum horizontal principal stress(σ_(H)),the minimum horizontal principal stress(σ_(h))and the vertical stress(σ_(v))varied with depth and location,and the values increase with increasing depth.Generally,the horizontal stresses play a leading role.For the main stress regimes in the NOB,σ_(H)>σ_(h)>σ_(v)(Burtai Mine,<172 m;Baode Mine,<170 m)andσ_(H)>σ_(v)>σ_(h)(Burtai Mine,170-800 m;Baode Mine,170-400 m),and theσ_(v)>σ_(H)>σ_(h)stress regimes are mainly distributed in moderately deep to deep coal mines.For rock masses with a depth of 350 m,k((σ_(H)+σ_(h))/2σ_(v))tends to 1,indicating that a deep critical state will gradually emerge.The test results are compared with those for the overcoring(OC)method,the anelastic strain recovery(ASR)method and micro-hydraulic fracturing(HF).The relative errors forσ_(H),σ_(h)andσ_(v)were 14.90%,19.67%,15.47%(Burtai Mine)and 10.74%,22.76%,19.97%(Baode Mine),respectively,and the errors are all within an acceptable range,thus verifying the reliability of the KE method.The dominant orientation for theσ_(H)(Burtai mine,NE-NNE;Baode Mine,NEE)is obtained via paleomagnetic technology,and the data are consistent with those(NE-NEE)of the earthquake focal mechanism solutions for the area.Based on the Byerlee-Anderson theory,a discussion is given on the levels of stress accumulation in the rock mass of the mines.For dry rocks or hydrostatic pressure rocks,the friction coefficients of the faults are low for both locations,and the values are less than the lower limit(0.6)of the strike-slip faults slip,indicating that the stress fractures at a low level around the study areas are lower than the friction limit stress.The stress accumulation levels in the Baode Mine are slightly larger than those in the Burtai Mine.

Petro-Structural Study of the Paleoproterozoic Formations of the Faboula Gold Deposit (Bougouni-Kékoro Basin, Leo-Man Shield)

Recent petro-structural investigations on the Faboula gold deposit located in the Bougouni-Kékoro basin, in southern Mali, north-west of the Leo-Man Shield, have provided new data on the nature and spatial organization of the lithostratigraphic units as well as their deformation style. The deposit is covered by a thick lateritic layer and is hosted by a metavolcano-sedimentary sequence of Paleoproterozoic age intersected by intrusive bodies and filled fractures of various shapes and types. The lithostratigraphic units consist of metagreywackes, metasiltstones, meta-argillites, slates and schists. Metagreywackes and metasiltstones are generally feldspathic, both may contain biotite and locally amphibole, just as slates may contain andalusite which is locally stretched. Plutonic units most often occur as stocks or as dikes on the drill core, up to 1 m. The metavolcano-sedimentary rocks are schistose and deformed under greenschist facies conditions, and locally they reach the epidote-amphibolite facies. The structural study revealed that the deposit is affected by several stages of deformation evolving from a ductile type to a brittle type via a ductile-brittle type. The dominant ductile and brittle-ductile deformations show a combination of isoclinal folding and strike-slip faults. Both the isoclinal folding and the strike-slip faults whose sigmoidal en-echelon tension gashes indicate a dextral movement in the NNE-SSW direction are the result of the same ENE-WSW regional shortening. Consequently, they highlight a transpressive deformation. This deformation noted here D2Fb, could be equivalent to the regional D2 or D3 deformations identified at the scale of the Leo-Man Shield if we refer to the style of deformation. There is an abundance of quartz veins networks. Their relation within the structural features indicates that the mineralization is structurally controlled during a hydrothermal event linked certainly to the circulations of fluids during the transpressive event D2Fb.

Analysis of sedimentary environment of core AB-67 at Barrow

A total of 48 samples from the core AB 67 at Barrow are analyzed for 25 grain size items and 44 geochemical items. Q mode factor analysis applied to these data yielded 4 factors. Mapping of there factor showed their close affinity to sedimentary environment; these core sedimentary rate, precipitation, sea level change, annual temperature. Paleoenvironmentary transfer functions were defined to estimate mean annual temperature and annual precipitation from corelationship between 5 samples at core top and observation record from Barrow Meteorology Observatory. Sedimentary rate was determinated from dating by 210 Pb and several environment events, and sea level from changes of sedimentary phase. The reconstructed temperature and precipitation curves show that Barrow climate is colder and drier in the 16th and the 17th century, temperature rose up and precipitation fluctuated sharply in the 18th and the 19th century, these two changes are greater in the 20th century. The reconstructed temperature curves agree with the variation of assemblages of micropaleontology.

Repacking practice for G-3 engineering driller power unit with drive shaft of dual channel reverse circulation

In order to satisfy operating requirements for constant core drilling technology in reverse circulation with hollow-through DTH,the power unit of G-3 engineering driller was ameliorated. The new one with dual channel drive shaft, achieved the perfect assemble with transmission structure of the original power unit. It could interconvert according to need by using two sets of drive shafts with direct and reverse circulation. The repacked G-3 engineering driller carried on experiment in the field test in Luanchuan molybdenum mine of Henan, whose effect was very good.

Core-drilling kinematic modeling and analysis of Jiaolong submersible manipulator

The complicated topographies of the deep sea pose significant challenges for the core drilling with the Jiaolong submersible manipulator.To address this problem,we proposed a core-drilling kinematic model and evaluated the core-drilling behavior of the submersible manipulator by comprehensively considering the uncertain posture of the Jiaolong submersible.First,we established a forward kinematic model for the core-drilling task in deep sea,which satisfied the requirement of gravitational-direction core drilling.Based on the forward kinematic equations,we then built a double-redundancy inverse kinematic model,which was able to determine the required motion trajectories of six active joints according to the desired core-drilling trajectory.The core-drilling workspaces and the motions of the Jiaolong submersible manipulator were assessed with several calculation examples.The established forward and inverse kinematic models are constructed with clear analytic equations,and thus are directly applicable to the Jiaolong submersible manipulator-based core-drilling task.

Research on slim-hole drilling technology for shale gas geological survey in China

Over the last 10 years,the China Geological Survey has deployed 137 slim-hole shale gas geological exploration wells for coring entire wellbores.These wells are primarily located in new blocks and geological formations where neighboring well data are insufficient,beyond the scope of developed oil fields in China,or outside of oil and gas company mining-right areas.The drilling rig equipment,coring tools,and core drill bits of slim-hole shale gas drilling technology are different from those associated with traditional petroleum drilling.Many studies have been conducted on non-coring slim-hole drilling technology.This paper focuses on coring technology and drilling safety,summarizing a set of high-efficiency shale gas drilling equipment and technology systems based on geological drilling equipment and techniques(that can be used for solid mineral exploration).We report on:1)an improved vertical shaft drilling rig adapted to shale gas well control safety;2)high-efficiency core drilling techniques,focusing on coring tools,and techniques incorporating an inverted tower drilling tool combination,air circulation follow-through technology,and expanded casing technology;3)research progress on high-efficiency core drill bits,including non-planar tooth polycrystalline diamond compact bits and impregnated diamond core bits,along with their application effects.This research provides substantial advances in drill-core technology and improvements in exploration efficiency.Moreover,it provides a reference frame for well structural design and selection of construction technology for shale gas exploration drilling projects.