Dry and Lubricated Bit Cutter-on-Rock Tribometry (BCORT)
In the harvesting of fossil fuels and other natural resources, drilling is estimated to be an average of 50% of total project costs. Despite this high expenditure, simple drilling simulations in the laboratory setting are very difficult to find. This work focuses on rock cutting experiments in order to study rate-of-penetration, as well as cutter temperature, friction, and wear as functions of relevant drilling materials and interfaces. These include tool steel, carbide, and PDC cutters on sandstone, limestone, marble, and shale in lubricated and un-lubricated conditions.
Rock Samples: Mancos Shale, Carthage Marble, Nugget Sandstone
PDC Cutter
Select PFTL References:
1.Dougherty, P., Pudjoprawoto R., Higgs III, C.F. "Bit Cutter-on-Rock Tribometry: Analyzing Friction and Rate-of-Penetration for Deep Well Drilling Substrates." Submitted for Review: Tribology International, November, 2013
2. Dougherty, P., Mpagazehe, J., Shelton, J., Higgs III, C.F. "Multi-phase Bit-Cutter-on-Rock Tribometry: Understanding the Drilling Process for Renewable Energy Resources," Proceedings of: World Tribology Congress. Torino, Italy, September 2013