Overview of Percussion Drilling: Principles and Mechanics
Uncertainty over water supplies and increased costs have led many to turn to alternative methods of harvesting a clean supply of this precious resource. Percussion drilling is one method of tapping into an aquifer to provide homes, businesses, and industries with an unlimited water supply. At Inyati Group, we understand how crucial access to water is and take every precaution to ensure that safe drilling practices are adhered to so that your store of water remains unpolluted.
To gain a better understanding of percussion drilling, the professionals at Inyati Group would like to delve into the basic principles and mechanics behind this drilling method.
Percussion Drilling: Powering Through Tough Ground
After an underground water supply has been detected and the necessary hydrogeological surveys conducted, a borehole can be established. Unlike other drilling techniques, percussion drilling is a low-technology process that enables experts to break through several harder ground formations effectively and relatively quickly with minimal environmental impact. When utilising a heavyweight drill bit that is repeatedly raised and dropped down the supported borehole, the forceful impact of percussion drilling fractures and disintegrates the subsurface material.
Despite its long history, percussion drilling remains a highly relevant and effective technique today. The inherent simplicity of its mechanism, coupled with its demonstrably robust performance, makes it the preferred choice for drilling projects in logistically challenging environments.
Operational Differences
To make an informed decision on the type of drilling techniques that suit your specific requirements, let’s look at the subtle operational differences between the various percussion drilling types.
- Cable Drilling for Challenging Substrates Cable percussion drilling is a well-established technique employed to penetrate difficult geological formations. This method utilises a suspended cable to lower and raise a drill bit, which fractures the subsurface material through repeated impacts. Throughout the drilling process, fragmented debris is extracted, allowing the cable and drill bit to progress to greater depths. While cable drilling may be slower compared to some alternative techniques, its operational efficiency is often favoured due to its lower cost and minimal reliance on sophisticated technology. This makes it a particularly valuable method in areas with limited resources.
- Hydraulic Drilling for Efficiency and Precision For situations demanding exceptional drilling accuracy and meticulous control, hydraulic percussion drilling emerges as the preferred method. This technique leverages a hydraulic system to precisely lift and lower the drill bit, facilitating the creation of boreholes with precision and efficiency. Compared to cable drilling, the hydraulic variant offers significantly faster drilling speeds, enhancing operations. As a result, hydraulic percussion drilling has become the preferred choice within the mining and construction sectors where subsurface conditions present dual challenges; formidable rock formations and a critical need for minimal disruption to surrounding structures and the environment.
Whether you require our percussion drilling services for retrieving mineral samples at considerable depths, geological surveys, boreholes, or creating deep holes to lay foundations, through an understanding of the working mechanisms of the different drilling techniques, it is easier to select a suitable drilling technique.
Leaders in Tailored Drilling Solutions
At Inyati Group, we have established ourselves as the pre-eminent providers of drilling services across several sectors, including water resource development. Our unwavering commitment to our customers’ needs is paramount. Our highly skilled team is uniquely positioned to offer comprehensive drilling solutions and provide expert guidance in selecting the most appropriate drilling method for specific projects. All you need to do is contact us.