Identifying the real fracture hidden in rock microcrack zone by acoustic emission energy

Identifying the real fracture of rock hidden in acoustic emission(AE)source clusters(AE-depicted microcrack zone)remains challenging and crucial.Here we revealed the AE energy(representing dissipated energy)distribution rule in the rock microcrack zone and proposed an AE-energy-based method for identifying the real fracture.(1)A set of fracture experiments were performed on granite using wedgeloading,and the fracture process was detected and recorded by AE.The microcrack zone associated with the energy dissipation was characterized by AE sources and energy distribution,utilizing our selfdeveloped AE analysis program(RockAE).(2)The accumulated AE energy,an index representing energy dissipation,across the AE-depicted microcrack zone followed the normal distribution model(the mean and variance relate to the real fracture path and the microcrack zone width).This result implies that the nucleation and coalescence of massive cracks(i.e.,real fracture generation process)are supposed to follow a normal distribution.(3)Then,we obtained the real fracture extension path by joining the peak positions of the AE energy normal distribution curve at different cross-sections of the microcrack zone.Consequently,we distinguished between the microcrack zone and the concealed real fracture within it.The deviation was validated as slight as 1–3 mm.

Electro-Pulse-Boring(EPB): Novel Super-Deep Drilling Technology for Low Cost Electricity

The inexhaustible heat deposit in great depths （5-10 km） is a scientific fact. Such deposit occurs around the globe. Thereby, everybody is enabled to generate autonomously clean and renewable energy, ample electricity and heat. The economical exploration and exploitation of this superdeep geothermal heat deposit requires a novel drilling technique, because the currently only deep drilling method （Rotary） is limited to about 5 km, due to the rising costs, depending exponentially on depth. Electro-pulse-boring （EPB） is a valuable option to Rotary drilling. EPB, originally investigated in Russia, is ready to be developed for industrialization. The feasibility of EPB is proven by many boreholes drilled up to 200 m in granite （crystalline）. Estimates show outstanding low costs for drilling by EPB： 100 E/m for a borehole with a large diameter （φ） such as 20 （50 cm）, independent on depth and applicable likewise for sediments and crystalline rocks, such as granite. The current rate of penetration （ROP） of 3 m per hour is planned to be augmented up to 35 m per hour, and again, irrespective whether in sedimentary or crystalline formations. Consequently, a 10 km deep borehole with φ 50 cm will ultimately be drilled within 12 days. EPB will create new markets, such as： （i） EPB shallow drilling for geotechnics, energy piles, measures in order to mitigate natural hazards, etc., （ii） EPB deep drilling （3-5 km） for hydro-geothermics, exploration campaigns etc. and （iii） EPB super-deep drilling （5-10 km） for petro-geothermies, enabling the economic generation of electricity. The autonomous and unlimited supply with cost efficient electricity, besides ample heat, ensures reliably clean and renew- able energy, thus, high supply security. Such development will provide a substantial relief to cope with the global challenge to limit the climate change below 2 ℃. The diminution of fossil fuels, due to the energy transition in order to mitigate the climate change, implies likewise the decrease of air pollution.