Science & Technology: Geothermal Energy Could Benefit from Shockwave and Plasma Accelerated Rock Cracking (SPARC) Drilling Technology

Shrimps inspire new method of deep geothermal drilling (Geodrilling International)

Researchers at Texas A&M University are seeking inspiration from the behaviour of the snapping pistol shrimp to find ways of improving drilling through hard rock formation on deep geothermal energy projects.

Synalpheus pinkfloydi by Arthur Anker. Wikipedia Commons.

Geothermal wells are drilled deep into the ground in order to tap into the heat radiating from the Earth's core and transform it into electricity. However, one remaining challenge associated with drilling deep geothermal wells is the presence of hard rocks, such as granite, that slow down the process and wear down drill bits. In turn, this causes drilling time and expenses to increase.

To combat this, a team of researchers from the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, led by Dr David Staack, is developing Shockwave and Plasma Accelerated Rock Cracking (SPARC) drilling technology. By making the creation of wells more efficient, accessible and cost-effective, their US Department of Energy-funded project aims to make geothermal energy a more viable alternative to fossil fuels.

The idea behind SPARC technology is to equip traditional drill bits with high voltage electrodes on the tip that emit a microscopic plasma discharge to shock the rock and crack it like a tiny explosion. Creating fractures and weakening the rock will allow the drill head, affixed with conventional diamond cutters, to have an easier time breaking through the material.

To overcome these issues, Dr Staack and the team were inspired by nature. And, in particular, by the snapping pistol shrimp which uses mechanical means to produce shock waves underwater where they use cavitation technique for tunnelling activities in nature. "After studying this animal we arrived at an idea of accomplishing similar underwater shock waves using plasma, says Staack.

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