Cleaning of flushing solutions during mine shaft drilling

Abstract

Cleaning the bottom hole from the drilled rock and bringing it to the surface when drilling shafts and boreholes is one of the main functions performed by the flushing fluid. In the process of drilling the flushing fluid is contaminated with drilled rock and its percentage in the fluid increases. The high content of drilled rock in the flushing fluid deteriorates its quality, causes collapse of the borehole walls (due to deterioration of claying of its walls) and poses a risk of seizing the drilling tool during the termination of flushing. Besides, the increase in the percentage of rock content in the flushing solution requires more energy for flushing, increases the wear of drilling equipment parts, and significantly reduces the drilling speed.