Simulating Plasma Formation in Pores under Short Electric Pulses for Plasma Pulse Geo Drilling (PPGD)

Plasma Pulse Geo Drilling (PPGD) is a contact-less drilling technique, where an electric discharge across a rock sample causes the rock to fracture. Experimental results have shown PPGD drilling operations are successful if certain electrode spacings, pulse voltages, and pulse rise times are given. However, the underlying physics of the electric breakdown within the rock, which cause damage in the process, are still poorly understood. This study presents a novel methodology to numerically study plasma generation for electric pulses between 200 and 500 kV in rock pores with a width between 10 and 100 mu m. We further investigate whether the pressure increase, induced by the plasma generation, is sufficient to cause rock fracturing, which is indicative of the onset of drilling success. We find that rock fracturing occurs in simulations with a 100 mu m pore size and an imposed pulse voltage of approximately 400 kV. Furthermore, pulses with voltages lower than 400 kV induce damage near the electrodes, which expands from pulse to pulse, and eventually, rock fracturing occurs. Additionally, we find that the likelihood for fracturing increases with increasing pore voltage drop, which increases with pore size, electric pulse voltage, and rock effective relative permittivity while being inversely proportional to the rock porosity and pulse rise time.

Automated summary

Plasma Pulse Geo Drilling (PPGD) is a contact-less drilling technique that uses plasma generation to cause rock fracturing. The success of PPGD drilling operations depends on specific electrode spacings, pulse voltages, and pulse rise times. The likelihood of rock fracturing increases with increasing pore voltage drop, pore size, electric pulse voltage, and rock effective relative permittivity, while decreasing with rock porosity and pulse rise time.