THE APPLICATION OF LASERS IN MEASUREMENT OF FLUID FLOW THROUGH DRILLING BIT NOZZLES

Abstract

Two optical methods based on laser and video technology and digital signal and image processing techniques - Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and Particle image velocimetry (PIV) were applied in highly accurate fluid flow measurement. Their application in jet velocity measurement of flows through drilling bit nozzles is presented. The role of nozzles in drilling technology together with procedures and tests performed on their optimization are reviewed. In addition, some experimental results for circular nozzle obtained both with LDV and PIV are elaborated. The experimental set-up and the testing procedure arc briefly discussed, as well as potential improvements in the design. Possible other applications of LDV and PIV in the domain of petroleum engineering are suggested (the paper is published in Croatian).

Keywords

• laser measurement
• fluid flow
• drilling bit nozzles
• jet velocity
• fluid visualization