GB2348219A - Geological probes for acquiring physical and chemical data when driven into a formation. - Google Patents
Geological probes for acquiring physical and chemical data when driven into a formation. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2348219A GB2348219A GB9903795A GB9903795A GB2348219A GB 2348219 A GB2348219 A GB 2348219A GB 9903795 A GB9903795 A GB 9903795A GB 9903795 A GB9903795 A GB 9903795A GB 2348219 A GB2348219 A GB 2348219A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- probe
- formation
- probes
- equipment according
- geological
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 55
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 36
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 20
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011835 investigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009527 percussion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
Abstract
Equipment for testing a geological formation 2 has a first probe 6 for acquiring data related to the physical properties of the formation and a second probe 8 for acquiring data related to the chemical properties of the formation, the probes being housed within an assembly 10, 12 and 14 which is driven into the formation via rod 4 linked to a vehicle such as a lorry 1.
Description
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO GEOLOGICAL
TESTING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
This invention concerns improvements in or relating to geological testing methods and equipment.
It is known to employ equipment for the determination of soil type, for example sand, clay etc., and associated mechanical properties, for example shear strength in clays, relative density and hence friction angle in the case of sands. One conventional piece of equipment is a cone penetrometer which carries a suitably instrumented probe measuring tip resistance and friction, which data can then be used to calculate the parameters mentioned above. The penetrometer is pushed into the soil using hydraulic pressure at a constant rate of penetration, eg 20mm/sec. This equipment may be mobile and may accordingly be mounted on a suitable vehicle which will also carry appropriate instrumentation for monitoring the tip resistance and the friction as indicated above.
It is also known to use equipment which interrogates the soil to ascertain its chemical characteristics, in particular to detect the presence of contaminants. An apparatus used for this purpose is in the form of a probe including a heating coil surrounding a Teflon (Registered Trade Mark)-based membrane the hydrophobic nature of which permits the passage of any contaminant whilst preventing the ingress of water. The contaminant is volatilised by the heating coil and the resulting gas passes into a reservoir within the probe from where it is flushed by an inert gas circulating within tubing to surface detectors which serve to analyse and identify the contaminant gas.
This type of probe is typically driven into the ground by a hydraulically operated percussion hammer driving steel rods bearing the probe.
Hitherto it has been necessary to conduct each activity separately using the individual pieces of equipment on their own thereby extending the time required for the investigation.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved way of testing geological formations which facilitates the simultaneous acquisition of soil data in terms of both its physical and chemical profiles.
According to a first aspect of the invention equipment for testing a geological formation includes a first probe for acquiring data related to the physical properties of the formation, a second probe associated with the first probe and adapted to acquire data relating to the chemical properties of the formation, and a drive means associated with the probes for effecting in use penetration of the probes into the formation.
Conveniently the first probe may be provided as part of what is conventionally known as a cone penetrometer which as the name suggests is of conical form and is so shaped as to facilitate penetration into the formation. The probe may be constituted by strain gauges within the cone penetrometer and provided with suitable connections leading to monitoring apparatus remote from the cone end. The cone penetrometer is advantageously formed with a hollow cylindrical section through which the connections pass from the cone end.
The second probe may be one known as a membrane interface probe which incorporates a membrane surrounded by a heater and is contained within a cylindrical housing defining a chamber, the housing being conveniently adapted to connect in releasable manner with the hollow cylindrical section of the cone penetrometer. The connection may be a simple screw threaded connection or an equivalent which will form a firm connection which is not easily disconnectible when in use.
The drive means include one or more rods releasably connectible to one another and to the cylindrical housing of the second probe, together with a drive mechanism for forcing the rods carrying the probes into the geological formation, eg the ground, to test the soil for its mechanical properties and also for any contaminants which may be present.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of testing a geological formation including the steps of using the equipment of the first aspect by assembling the first probe in line with the second probe, connecting the drive means to the second probe, actuating the drive means to drive the assembly into the formation, monitoring the probes and ascertaining the physical and chemical properties of the formation.
The second probe may be a membrane interface probe which conveniently has a membrane formed of Teflon (Registered Trade
Mark) surrounded by heating coil and has suitable geometry to allow the application of an inert gas to an internal chamber of the housing, in order in use to flush out~ any volatilised contaminant passing into the probe through the membrane.
By way of example only, a method of and equipment for the testing of a geological formation are described below with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic cross section through a geological formation showing the equipment in situ for use in the method.
Referring to the drawing there is shown a vehicle, in this instance a lorry 1, jacked up in position over a geological formation 2 and provided with a drive mechanism (not shown) for a drive means constituted by a hollow rod 4 which carries two probes 6 and 8. The first probe 6 is in the form of what is commonly known as a cone penetrometer having a conical section 10 leading to a hollow cylindrical section 12. The penetrometer houses strain gauges (not shown) with appropriate wire connections led through the sections 10,12.
The probe 8 is in the form of a membrane interface probe which includes a membrane (not shown) and a heating coil (not shown) housed within a cylinder 14 defining a chamber through which the wire connections of probe 6 pass.
The cylinder 14 is screw threaded and connects with the section 12 of the probe 6 in releasable manner.
The rod 4 is screwed into the other end of the cylinder 14 and is connected at its upper end to a drive mechanism carried on the lorry 1, the wire connections of the strain gauges passing through the rod to the vehicle whereon they are connected to instruments (not shown) for monitoring the mechanical properties of the formation 2.
In use, the lorry 1 is appropriately positioned over the formation 2 where geological testing is to be conducted in order to establish its mechanical properties and to determine the presence or indeed the absence of contaminants. The assembly of the rod 4, and the probes 6 and 8 is forced gradually into the formation 2 by the drive mechanism which is conveniently hydraulically powered and can impart a steady driving force to the assembly with the cone penetrometer piercing the formation.
As the assembly penetrates the formation, data are transmitted by the probe 6 to the surface and analysed by suitable instrumentation on the lorry 1 to give values as to the mechanical properties of the soil encountered during penetration. Simultaneously, the probe 8 allows the ingress into its chamber of any contaminants present within the soil and these contaminants are volatilised by the heating coil the power for which is provided by cabling extending through the rod 4 from the surface. An inert gas flushes any contaminant gas generated by the volatilisation through the rod 4 to the surface for analysis.
Accordingly, the acquisition and processing of data relating to both the mechanical properties and the chemical properties of the soil in the geological formation are effected contemporaneously with the advantage of facilitating the survey of the formation and reducing the time expended thereon.
Although the probe 8 has been described principally in relation to the detection of contaminants, it is to be understood that other probes employed to test soil chemistry may equally be used in conjunction with the cone penetrometer, and accordingly the probe 8 may be other than the membrane interface probe.
Claims (9)
- CLAIMS: 1. Equipment for testing a geological formation including a first probe for acquiring data related to the physical properties of the formation, a second probe associated with the first probe and adapted to acquire data relating to the chemical properties of the formation, and a drive means associated with the probes for effecting in use penetration of the probes into the formation.
- 2. Equipment according to Claim 1 in which the first probe is provided as part of a cone penetrometer which is of conical form and is so shaped as to facilitate penetration into the formation.
- 3. Equipment according to Claim 2 in which the probe is constituted by strain gauges within the cone penetrometer and is provided with suitable connections leading to monitoring apparatus remote from the cone end.
- 4. Equipment according to Claim 2 or 3 in which the second probe is a membrane interface probe which incorporates a membrane surrounded by a heater and is contained within a cylindrical housing defining a chamber, the housing being adapted to connect in releasable manner with the hollow cylindrical section of the cone penetrometer.
- 5. Equipment according to Claim 4 in which the connection is a simple screw threaded connection or an equivalent which will form a firm connection which is not easily disconnectible when in use.
- 6. Equipment according to Claim 4 or 5 in which the drive means include one or more rods releasably connectible to one another and to the cylindrical housing of the second probe, together with a drive mechanism for forcing the rods carrying the probes into the geological formation to test the soil for its mechanical properties and also for any contaminants which may be present.
- 7. Equipment for testing a geological formation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
- 8. A method of testing a geological formation including the steps of using the equipment according to any one of the preceding claims by assembling the first probe in line with the second probe, connecting the drive means to the second probe, actuating the drive means to drive the assembly into the formation, monitoring the probes and ascertaining the physical and chemical properties of the formation.
- 9. A method of testing a geological formation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9903795A GB2348219A (en) | 1999-02-19 | 1999-02-19 | Geological probes for acquiring physical and chemical data when driven into a formation. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9903795A GB2348219A (en) | 1999-02-19 | 1999-02-19 | Geological probes for acquiring physical and chemical data when driven into a formation. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9903795D0 GB9903795D0 (en) | 1999-04-14 |
GB2348219A true GB2348219A (en) | 2000-09-27 |
Family
ID=10848076
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9903795A Withdrawn GB2348219A (en) | 1999-02-19 | 1999-02-19 | Geological probes for acquiring physical and chemical data when driven into a formation. |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2348219A (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SU911286A1 (en) * | 1979-11-16 | 1982-03-07 | Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский институт сельскохозяйственной метеорологии | Device for deepening pickup into soil |
US5798940A (en) * | 1996-07-05 | 1998-08-25 | Bratton; Wes | In situ oxidation reduction potential measurement of soils and ground water |
EP0882973A2 (en) * | 1997-06-04 | 1998-12-09 | Verenigde Bedrijven Van Den Berg Heerenveen Holding B.V. | Penetrometer |
US6003620A (en) * | 1996-07-26 | 1999-12-21 | Advanced Coring Technology, Inc. | Downhole in-situ measurement of physical and or chemical properties including fluid saturations of cores while coring |
-
1999
- 1999-02-19 GB GB9903795A patent/GB2348219A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SU911286A1 (en) * | 1979-11-16 | 1982-03-07 | Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский институт сельскохозяйственной метеорологии | Device for deepening pickup into soil |
US5798940A (en) * | 1996-07-05 | 1998-08-25 | Bratton; Wes | In situ oxidation reduction potential measurement of soils and ground water |
US6003620A (en) * | 1996-07-26 | 1999-12-21 | Advanced Coring Technology, Inc. | Downhole in-situ measurement of physical and or chemical properties including fluid saturations of cores while coring |
EP0882973A2 (en) * | 1997-06-04 | 1998-12-09 | Verenigde Bedrijven Van Den Berg Heerenveen Holding B.V. | Penetrometer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9903795D0 (en) | 1999-04-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |