Feeney, A. , Sikaneta, S., Harkness, P. and Lucas, M. (2016) An ultrasonic compactor for oil and gas exploration. Physics Procedia, 87, pp. 72-78. (doi: 10.1016/j.phpro.2016.12.012)
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Abstract
The Badger Explorer is a rig-less oil and gas exploration tool which drills into the subsea environment to collect geological data. Drill spoil is transported from the front end of the system to the rear, where the material is compacted. Motivated by the need to develop a highly efficient compaction system, an ultrasonic compactor for application with granular geological materials encountered in subsea environments is designed and fabricated as part of this study. The finite element method is used to design a compactor configuration suitable for subsea exploration, consisting of a vibrating ultrasonic horn called a resonant compactor head, which operates in a longitudinal mode at 20 kHz, driven by a Langevin piezoelectric transducer. A simplified version of the compactor is also designed, due to its ease of incorporating in a lab-based experimental rig, in order to demonstrate enhanced compaction using ultrasonics. Numerical analysis of this simplified compactor system is supported with experimental characterisation using laser Doppler vibrometry. Compaction testing is then conducted on granular geological material, showing that compaction can be enhanced through the use of an ultrasonic compactor.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Badger Explorer ASA and the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) for the funding of this project. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Feeney, Dr Andrew and Lucas, Professor Margaret and Harkness, Professor Patrick |
| Authors: | Feeney, A., Sikaneta, S., Harkness, P., and Lucas, M. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy |
| Journal Name: | Physics Procedia |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 1875-3892 |
| Published Online: | 27 December 2016 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. |
| First Published: | First published in Physics Procedia 87: 72-78 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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