Muon Detector Drill Rod for Narrow Borehole Density Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying muon detectors in narrow and challenging boreholes is difficult due to issues like debris ingress, borehole collapse, narrow dimensions, power and communication challenges, and economic viability, making it impractical to achieve accurate subsurface imaging.
Innovation Solution
A detector drill rod with integrated muon sensors and fluid flow passages, sealed to withstand borehole conditions, allowing deployment in drill strings for multiple views and accurate density modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If muon detectors are deployed in narrow boreholes, then subsurface imaging capability is improved, but deployment difficulty increases due to debris ingress and borehole collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The muon detector is nested within the drill rod, which itself is inserted into the borehole. This nested configuration allows the detector to be protected by the drill rod structure while maintaining access to the narrow borehole environment, thereby improving deployment reliability without sacrificing imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The drill rod serves as a protective cushioning structure that prevents debris ingress and borehole collapse before they can affect the muon detector. This beforehand protection ensures the detector can operate reliably in narrow boreholes while maintaining high imaging precision
2Loss of information
If muon detectors are positioned in multiple locations for 2D radiographic images, then imaging completeness is improved, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill rod is designed with universal functionality, serving both as a protective structure and as a carrier for the muon detector. This multi-functional design allows the same device to be deployed in multiple locations without increasing overall system complexity, enabling complete 2D radiographic imaging while maintaining simple deployment procedures
3Reliability
If detector drill rods are sealed to withstand borehole conditions, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the drill rod structure itself rather than being a separate component. This integration allows the drill rod to withstand borehole conditions while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes, as the sealing capability is built into the basic structure rather than requiring additional complex manufacturing steps
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-resolution muon detection in narrow boreholes, overcoming debris and collapse challenges, while being economically viable and resilient to borehole conditions.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the attenuation of muon intensity underground. Muon detectors positioned below a region of interest, such as a desired subsurface formation, can measure a directional intensity of muons propagating through the overburden. The directional intensity of muons relates directly to the average density of matter along a straight-line path in the direction of measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
A longitudinally extending detector drill rod is connectable at each of its longitudinal ends to another drill rod in a drill string and is deployable, as part of the drill string, to a location below a surface of the earth for detecting cosmic ray muons that penetrate the surface of the earth. The detector drill rod comprises: a drill rod bore-defining surface that defines a longitudinally extending drill rod bore; and one or more muon sensors located in the drill rod bore, the one or more muon sensors responsive to muons interacting therewith.