Drillar – Empresa de Perforación de pozos en Argentina
Reverse Air Drilling System
The reverse air drilling system is a specialized technique used in the drilling industry, primarily in geological and mining exploration applications, as well as in groundwater and geotechnical projects. Unlike other drilling methods, such as mud percussion drilling, the reverse air system uses compressed air to transport drilling cuttings and provide accurate geological information.
Below, I describe the components and process of a reverse air drilling system:
Key components of a reverse air drilling system:
Drill Rig:
Similar to other drilling systems, the drill rig is a vertical structure that supports and guides the drill string and other essential components.
Double-Wall Drill String:
In a reverse air system, a double-wall drill string is used. The outer tube (drill pipe) carries compressed air down and collects drilling cuttings. The inner tube (core tube) carries core samples or rock samples to the surface.
Drill Hammer:
The drill hammer is the device that uses the energy of compressed air to strike the drill bit at the bottom of the drill string. This helps break the rock into smaller drilling cuttings.
Air Compressor:
The air compressor provides high-pressure compressed air, which is injected through the drill string to perform drilling and to transport the drilling cuttings back to the surface.
Reverse air drilling process:
The reverse air drilling process typically consists of the following steps:
A suitable location for drilling is chosen, taking into account available geological information and drilling objectives.
The drill rig is placed at the drilling location, and the double-wall drill string is set up.
Compressed air is injected through the drill string, driving the drill hammer at the bottom. The hammer strikes the drill bit, breaking the rock and creating drilling cuttings that are transported back to the surface through the annular space between the outer and inner tubes of the drill string.
Core samples or rock samples are transported to the surface as drilling progresses. These samples provide valuable geological information about the underground formation and its composition.
Relevant data is recorded during drilling, such as drilling depth, the appearance of core samples, rock strength, and other geological properties.
The reverse air drilling system is especially useful when high-quality sample recovery is required, and precise control of groundwater levels is necessary since the compressed air helps keep the borehole dry. This system is widely used in mineral deposit exploration, geotechnical studies, and obtaining high-quality groundwater samples.
