A simulation system and method for geological exploration

Abstract

The application discloses a simulation system and a simulation method for geological exploration, which directly detects the distribution of simulated mineral deposits through a buried physical model. The simulation system comprises at least one physical model made of flexible material, the flexible material is formed into a sealed container, and the container is filled with deformable content which can be physically or chemically hardened. The application provides the physical model made of flexible material, and after the physical model is buried and the simulated shape is obtained through detection, the physical model is hardened to fix the shape and state of the deformed physical model. Then, the actual shape consistent with the buried state can be measured after the physical model is taken out of the rock and soil. Through comparison between the actual shape and the simulated shape, the electromagnetic detection equipment and the simulation software can be optimized to keep the simulated shape consistent with the actual shape, so that a high-precision simulation system for geological exploration is obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of geological exploration, and more specifically to a simulation system and method for geological exploration. Background Technology

[0002] Geological exploration is a research activity that involves investigating and exploring geology using various means and methods to determine suitable bearing strata, identify foundation types based on the bearing capacity of the bearing strata, and calculate foundation parameters. Geological exploration is also an investigation and research activity conducted during mineral prospecting to discover industrially significant mineral deposits. It aims to ascertain the quality and quantity of minerals, as well as the technical conditions for their extraction and utilization, and to provide the mineral reserves and geological data required for mine construction and design. This involves investigating and researching the geological conditions of a specific area, including rocks, strata, structures, minerals, hydrology, and geomorphology.

[0003] Currently, the main methods of geological exploration fall into three categories: field surveying, numerical simulation, and model testing. Field surveying is the most direct research method, where workers directly lay survey lines on the surface to explore the underground space below. However, due to the influence of surface buildings and the vast and complex underground pipe networks, survey lines are sometimes difficult to lay out, and the detection results are not ideal. Numerical simulation is a method of abstracting a numerical model from the actual research object for research. It saves time and effort, but numerical simulation is only an abstract, simple model that can only derive general laws. Underground space is extremely complex, so the results of numerical calculations often differ significantly from the actual situation. Model testing refers to the method of studying actual working conditions using models of different scales under laboratory conditions. Using model testing, various phenomena and processes of the prototype can be reproduced, and variables and experimental conditions can be artificially controlled, which can not only obtain better experimental results but also reduce the research cycle.

[0004] CN 106801603 B discloses a method and apparatus for physically simulating heterogeneous oil reservoirs, comprising: acquiring interlayer parameters in the oil reservoir to be explored; dividing the oil reservoir to be explored into multiple sub-reservoirs and acquiring the permeability of each sub-reservoir; mapping the interlayer parameters and the permeability of each sub-reservoir to the model to be established according to the ratio between the oil reservoir to be explored and the model to be established; performing exploration operations on the model corresponding to the oil reservoir to be explored and scaling it up, and using the scaled-up exploration operation results as the exploration results of the oil reservoir to be explored. This prior art solves the technical problem of inaccurate analysis results caused by using homogeneous oil reservoirs for reservoir analysis by reducing the actual oil reservoir size in the field to a small-scale indoor model, using this small-scale model to perform various exploration operations, and then scaling up the exploration operation results and reservoir simulation experimental results. This achieves the technical effect of improving the accuracy of reservoir analysis results.

[0005] The existing technology simulates interlayers within oil reservoirs, rather than directly simulating the reservoirs themselves, thus obtaining indirect experimental results. In reality, the oil reservoirs that need to be explored in geological exploration represent only a small portion of the geological strata; the vast majority consist of large-scale rock and soil structures. This means that the existing simulation system would require significant resources to simulate rock and soil structures, which have little practical value, as interlayers. However, large-scale rock and soil structures constitute a vast proportion of the geological strata. In actual simulations, only a thin layer adjacent to the oil reservoir can be considered as the interlayer, while other rock and soil structures far from the reservoir must be ignored or simplified as homogeneous structures. Therefore, this indirect experimental approach can only simulate small-scale interlayers, and the physical simulation must be scaled down. The entire simulation system is essentially a simulation of a small-scale, limited area. In most cases, the oil reservoir area to be investigated is very large, while valuable oil reservoir structures are very rare. Therefore, the results obtained through this indirect simulation method will have significant errors and are difficult to accurately simulate the distribution of mineral deposits.

[0006] CN 108802824 A discloses a physical simulation test device and method for geophysical exploration, including a model cavity, a model test panel, and an adverse geological body model. The model cavity is a cavity with a certain capacity, assembled from multiple plates. A first reinforcing element is provided on the outside of the cavity to constrain the plates. The model cavity contains soil and rock, and the adverse geological body model is embedded in the soil. The adverse geological body model includes a shell and a second reinforcing element located inside the shell to support and constrain it. The model test panel is provided on the surface of the soil and rock in the model cavity, and includes electrode insertion holes, trans-hole resistivity CT boreholes, radar detection holes, transient electromagnetic method coil supports, and advanced probe placement holes, thereby simulating underground space geophysical exploration. This prior art improves the accuracy of detection and reconstruction by burying the adverse geological body model in the soil and rock, detecting the shape of the adverse geological body model through electromagnetic detection and other methods, and comparing it with the actual shape of the adverse geological body model.

[0007] The existing simulation method directly simulates the buried body, which is more effective for detecting small-scale buried bodies within a large-scale exploration area. However, the accuracy of this existing method depends on comparing the detection results with the actual model of the adverse geological body. This requires that the adverse geological body model be a rigid and non-deformable object. Otherwise, if the adverse geological body model deforms after burial or does not match the actual shape after excavation, the detection results cannot be compared with the shape buried underground, and it is impossible to determine whether the detection results are valid.

[0008] However, in reality, except for a very few mineral deposits that are completely rigid, most mineral deposits are compressed to varying degrees within the strata. Furthermore, to maintain consistency with the echo signals of real mineral deposits, the artificial buried bodies in the simulation system typically need to be made of materials that have similar echo signals to real minerals. Generally speaking, the echo signals of compressible minerals such as oil and gas differ significantly from those of rigid materials, while using flexible materials as buried bodies to simulate the echo signals of real mineral deposits yields a closer match. However, flexible material buried bodies deform after being embedded in the soil, making it impossible to accurately measure their shape within the soil layer. This lack of a precise comparable entity for mineral information obtained through electromagnetic detection and other methods makes it difficult to verify the detection results in practice. Therefore, it is usually necessary to pre-embed rigid, regular geometric bodies for system calibration, and then infer that the detection results of rigid geometric bodies are also applicable to irregular, flexible, compressible bodies. However, for different mineral experimental objects, the echo signals of different materials vary greatly, requiring the burial of rigid bodies of different materials for calibration. Moreover, the accuracy of the calibrated system cannot be completely trusted, making it difficult to guarantee the precision of the simulation experimental results. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a simulation system and method for geological exploration, so as to reduce or avoid the problems mentioned above.

[0010] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes a simulation system for geological exploration. The simulation system directly detects the distribution of simulated mineral deposits through a buried physical model. The simulation system includes at least one physical model made of a flexible material, which is formed into a sealed container filled with deformable contents that can be physically or chemically hardened.

[0011] Preferably, the flexible material is rubber or flexible plastic.

[0012] Preferably, the contents are water.

[0013] Preferably, the contents are a heat-curable compound or mixture.

[0014] Preferably, the contents are cement mortar.

[0015] Preferably, the simulation system further includes an electromagnetic detection device for detecting the simulated shape of the physical model using electromagnetic waves, and simulation software.

[0016] Preferably, the simulation system further includes a temperature control device for cooling or heating the contents to solidify them.

[0017] This invention also proposes a simulation method for geological exploration. This method directly detects the distribution of simulated mineral deposits using a buried physical model. The simulation method includes the following steps: burying at least one physical model made of a flexible material in rock or soil, the flexible material forming a sealed container filled with deformable contents that can harden physically or chemically; obtaining the simulated shape of the physical model by detecting electromagnetic waves emitted by an electromagnetic detection device; after the physical model has completely hardened, removing it from the rock or soil and measuring its actual shape; and optimizing the electromagnetic detection device and simulation software by comparing the actual shape with the simulated shape to ensure consistency between the simulated and actual shapes, thereby obtaining a simulation system suitable for geological exploration.

[0018] Preferably, the method further includes the step of cooling or heating the contents to solidify them using a temperature control device.

[0019] The simulation system and method of this invention provide a physical model made of flexible material. After the physical model is buried and its simulated shape is obtained through exploration, the physical model is hardened through physical or chemical means, thereby fixing the shape and state of the deformed physical model. Then, after the physical model is removed from the soil and rock, the actual shape consistent with the buried state can be measured. By comparing the actual shape with the simulated shape, the electromagnetic detection equipment and simulation software can be optimized to ensure that the simulated shape is consistent with the actual shape, thereby obtaining a high-precision simulation system that can be used for geological exploration. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings are intended only to illustrate and explain the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a simulation system for geological exploration according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0023] As described in the background section, existing simulation systems used in geological exploration, whether through indirect simulation or simulation using physical models, struggle to obtain accurate simulation results. Therefore, this invention proposes a simulation system and method for geological exploration. This system and method can directly detect the distribution of simulated mineral deposits using buried physical models and can be optimized through actual comparisons to obtain more accurate simulation results.

[0024] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the simulation system for geological exploration of the present invention includes at least one physical model 100 made of flexible material. In the illustrated embodiment, four physical models 100 made of flexible material are visible. These four physical models 100 can be configured as needed to have interconnected pipes 101 to simulate the burial conditions of geological mineral deposits.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the physical model 100 can be embedded in the model box 1, and the periphery of the physical model 100 is filled with simulated mineral deposits of rock and soil. Similar to existing technologies, the model box 1 can also be equipped with an electromagnetic detection device 2 that uses electromagnetic waves to detect the simulated shape of the physical model 100. The electromagnetic detection device 2 can be existing equipment such as ground-penetrating radar, seismic echo detectors, or CT image molding devices. Furthermore, the echo signal obtained by the electromagnetic detection device 2 using electromagnetic waves can be further transmitted to a computer 4, and then the simulation software running on the computer 4 can process the echo signal into a simulated shape. Both the electromagnetic detection device 2 and the simulation software can employ existing technologies, such as the coils and simulation software of existing CT image molding devices, or modifications based on existing technologies according to actual conditions. Of course, the existing technologies related to the electromagnetic detection device 2 and the simulation software are not the technical problems to be solved by this invention, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0026] As described in the background section, the simulated shape obtained by existing technologies needs to be compared with the actual shape of the physical model 100 to determine the accuracy of the results from the electromagnetic detection device 2 and the simulation software. However, actual mineral deposits are unlikely to be rigid; therefore, a physical model 100 made of flexible materials is necessary to obtain echo signals that closely approximate those of actual mineral deposits. Furthermore, actual mineral deposits and soil are typically in a tightly compacted state, and certain geometric angles of a rigid body cannot be completely compacted. The burial state of a rigid body differs significantly from the actual burial state; therefore, a physical model 100 made of flexible materials is more likely to approximate the actual burial state.

[0027] During the burial and compaction process of the physical model 100 of the flexible material, the shape will deform due to compression. The simulated shape obtained by the electromagnetic detection device 2 needs to be compared with the actual shape in order to optimize the simulation system.

[0028] Therefore, the simulation system and method of this application propose a new technical solution. Its basic principle is that after the physical model 100 is buried and its simulated shape is obtained, the shape and state of the deformed physical model 100 are fixed. Then, after the physical model 100 is taken out of the soil and rock, the actual shape consistent with the buried state can be measured. By comparing the actual shape with the simulated shape, the electromagnetic detection device 2 and the simulation software can be optimized to make the simulated shape consistent with the actual shape, thereby obtaining a high-precision simulation system that can be used for geological exploration.

[0029] Specifically, the present invention employs a physical model made of a flexible material, which is formed into a sealed container filled with deformable contents that can be physically or chemically hardened.

[0030] For example, in one specific embodiment, the flexible material can be rubber or flexible plastic, such as a flexible container made of polymer materials such as polyolefins and polyesters.

[0031] In another specific embodiment, the contents may be water. Filling a sealed container made of flexible material with water allows it to be deformed by compression, making it particularly suitable for simulating the burial state of oil and gas resources.

[0032] To simulate the echo signal of a mineral deposit, electromagnetic reflective materials can be added to the flexible material or contents as needed, so that the echo signal of the physical model 100 is close to or consistent with the actual mineral deposit.

[0033] After the physical model 100, made of flexible material filled with contents, is buried, its simulated shape can be obtained by electromagnetic wave detection emitted by electromagnetic detection device 2. Then, the contents are hardened by physical or chemical means. For example, the soil and physical model 100 in the model box 1 can be cooled by a temperature control device 3 that cools or heats the contents to harden them, causing contents such as water to freeze and thus harden.

[0034] In another specific embodiment, the contents are heat-hardening compounds or mixtures. For example, the contents may be prepared cement mortar. Cement mortar hardens very slowly in a sealed state, thus maintaining a deformable state during initial burial and exploration. After obtaining the simulated shape, the hardening of the physical model 100 can be accelerated through a long period of natural reaction or by heating with the temperature control device 3.

[0035] Of course, the contents of this invention are not limited to water and cement mortar. Other contents that are initially flexible and later harden can be used as needed. For example, a putty-like material prepared from paraffin wax, gypsum, or other inorganic or organic materials can be used, which can be subsequently hardened by natural placement, changes in the external physical environment (such as temperature), or the addition of slow-reacting chemicals.

[0036] Furthermore, the simulation method of the present invention can directly detect the distribution of simulated mineral deposits through a buried physical model, and the simulation method includes the following steps.

[0037] First, at least one physical model 100 made of a flexible material is buried in the soil or rock. The flexible material is formed into a sealed container filled with deformable contents that can be physically or chemically hardened.

[0038] Then, the simulated shape of the physical model 100 is obtained by detecting electromagnetic waves emitted by the electromagnetic detection device 2.

[0039] Afterwards, once the physical model 100 has fully hardened, it is removed from the soil and rock, and its actual shape is measured.

[0040] Finally, by comparing the actual shape with the simulated shape, the electromagnetic detection device 2 and the simulation software are optimized to ensure that the simulated shape is consistent with the actual shape, thereby obtaining an accurate simulation system that can be used for geological exploration.

[0041] Furthermore, the simulation method may further include a step of cooling or heating the contents to solidify them using a temperature control device, in order to accelerate the hardening process of the physical model 100.

[0042] The simulation system and method of this invention provide a physical model made of flexible material. After the physical model is buried and its simulated shape is obtained through exploration, the physical model is hardened through physical or chemical means, thereby fixing the shape and state of the deformed physical model. Then, after the physical model is removed from the soil and rock, the actual shape consistent with the buried state can be measured. By comparing the actual shape with the simulated shape, the electromagnetic detection equipment and simulation software can be optimized to ensure that the simulated shape is consistent with the actual shape, thereby obtaining a high-precision simulation system that can be used for geological exploration.

[0043] Those skilled in the art should understand that although the present invention has been described with reference to multiple embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This description is provided merely for clarity; those skilled in the art should understand the specification as a whole and consider the technical solutions involved in each embodiment as being able to be combined with each other to form different embodiments to understand the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] The above description is merely an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any equivalent changes, modifications, and combinations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A simulation system for geological exploration, wherein the simulation system directly detects the distribution of simulated mineral deposits through a buried physical model, characterized in that, The simulation system includes at least a physical model made of a flexible material, an electromagnetic detection device for detecting the simulated shape of the physical model using electromagnetic waves, and simulation software. The flexible material is formed into a sealed container filled with deformable contents that can be physically or chemically hardened. The physical model is buried in soil or rock, deforming under the compaction of the soil and rock. The electromagnetic detection device detects and obtains the simulated shape of the physical model while it is buried and deformed. After the simulated shape is detected, the contents are physically or chemically hardened to fix the deformed shape of the physical model, ensuring that the actual shape, consistent with the buried state, can be measured after the physical model is removed from the soil or rock. The actual shape is compared with the simulated shape to optimize the electromagnetic detection device and the simulation software, ensuring that the simulated shape matches the actual shape.

2. The simulation system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible material is rubber or flexible plastic.

3. The simulation system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The contents are water.

4. The simulation system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The contents are compounds or mixtures that can be hardened by heat.

5. The simulation system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The contents are cement mortar.

6. The simulation system as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The simulation system further includes a temperature control device for cooling or heating the contents to solidify them.

7. A simulation method for geological exploration, wherein the simulation method directly detects the distribution of simulated mineral deposits through a buried physical model, characterized in that, The simulation method includes the following steps: burying at least one physical model made of a flexible material in the soil or rock, the flexible material being formed into a sealed container filled with deformable contents that can be physically or chemically hardened; obtaining the simulated shape of the physical model by detecting electromagnetic waves emitted by an electromagnetic detection device; and after the physical model has completely hardened, removing it from the soil or rock and measuring its actual shape. By comparing the actual shape with the simulated shape, the electromagnetic detection equipment and simulation software are optimized to ensure that the simulated shape is consistent with the actual shape, thereby obtaining a simulation system that can be used for geological exploration.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It further includes the step of cooling or heating the contents to solidify them using a temperature control device.

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