Horizontal Directional Drilling-Length Detection Technology While .

Sensors 2017, 17, 967 3 of 16 must be recorded in strict environment, which is difficult to be achieved in the site. The accuracy of measurement results relies on the images quality. Many factors including illumination changes, target occlusion, shadow interference, etc., will affect the images quality, thus possibly leading to miscounting the number of drill stems. In accordance with the aforementioned points, most existing multi-parameter detectors are used for vertical wells, whereas the patented drilling-length detector for measuring the hydraulic oil flow is only applicable under strictly ideal conditions. Currently, there is no available instrument for the length detection of horizontal drilling, especially in deep strata. This is because of the complex drilling process: frequent rechucks occur, along with the round trip of the drill stems and switching within strings during drilling, making it difficult to clarify the process of horizontal drilling automatically. In addition, although the drilling length is far more significant for sub-horizontal drilling than for all other types of directional drilling, directional-drilling experts and researchers direct their efforts toward mud logging while drilling, logging while drilling, employing seismic technology while drilling, and employing down hole pressure-monitoring systems while drilling and thus ignore the most basic drilling parameter: the drilling length. In recent years, there are some researches about this parameter, but all the methods have some limitations. This paper presents a contactless and direct detection method based on bi-electromagnetic sensing for acquiring the horizontal drilling-length data. In this method, the data are obtained automatically instead of via manual counting. Compared with indirect and contact detection, the proposed method can extend the service life of sensors, significantly improve the accuracy of drilling, and ensure the speed of drilling. The utilization of the proposed detection device and software for measuring the drilling length during drilling will greatly improve the capabilities of drilling rigs and drilling technology. This can reduce the labor intensity for workers, prevent human errors in the measurement and recording of the drilling length, and make it easy to statistically analyze the drilling length. Thus, the proposed method can significantly contribute to correct judgments and decisions under various drilling conditions. 2. Basic Mechanism of Drilling-Length Detection Based on Bi-Electromagnetic Sensing 2.1. Basic Computation Principle for Drilling Length The basic computation principle is similar to that of manual counting by multiplying the length of each drill stem by the number of drill stems. The length of each drill stem is a standard value, and the number of drill stems is determined by the number times that the joints of the drill stems pass through the clamp, inward and outward. Given that the real-time drilling length is L, the length of a drill stem is l, the number of forward joints of the drill stem is n1 , and the number of backward joints of the drill stem is n2 , the drilling length is determined using Equations (1) and (2). If the initial drilling length is 0, the real-time drilling length is: L l ( n1 n2 ) (1) If the initial drilling length is not 0 but l0 , the real-time drilling length is: L l0 l ( n 1 n 2 ) (2) 2.2. Optimized Detection Method Two parameters—n1 and n2 —are necessary for the calculation of the drilling length. There are two methods for obtaining n1 and n2 . One is a contact-type method, and the other is contactless. The contact-type detection method utilizes a contact-type probe to identify the difference in outer diameter between the drill stem and the drill-stem joint for the internal flush drill stem. This difference must be increased via artificial reconstruction for the external flat drill stem. When the drill stem and

Sensors 2017, 17, 967 4 of 16 drill-stem joint move, the contact probe does not touch the drill stem but scratches the drill-stem joint, 44 of of 16 16 1. Sensors 2017, Sensors 2017, 17, 17, 967 967 as illustrated in Figure Figure 1. 1. Schematic ofof contact-type detection: 1—contact joint;3-drill 3—drill stem. Figure Schematic contact-type detection: 1-contact probe; 2-drill-stem stem. Figure 1. Schematic of contact-type detection: 1-contactprobe; probe;2—drill-stem 2-drill-stem joint; joint; 3-drill stem. The The contactless contactless detection detection method method utilizes utilizes an an electromagnetic electromagnetic effect to to identify identify the the difference difference in in electromagnetic effect the structure or wall thickness between the drill stem and drill-stem joint for either the internal the structure or wall thickness between the drill stem and drill-stem joint for either the internal flush flush drill drill stem. stem. When drill stem stem or When the the drill drill stem stem or or the the external external flat flat drill or drill-stem drill-stem joint joint passes passes through through the the current coil, the magnetic field produced by the current coil is changed differently [20], as illustrated current coil, the magnetic field produced by the current coil is changed differently [20], as illustrated in in Figure Figure 2. 2. Figure of contactless detection: 1-magnetoresistive sensor 2-magnetoresistive sensor Figure 2. Schematicof ofcontactless contactlessdetection: detection: 1-magnetoresistivesensor sensor A; 2-magnetoresistive sensor 2. Schematic Schematic 1—magnetoresistive A;A; 2—magnetoresistive sensor B; B; 3-drill-stem joint; 4-drill stem; 5-current coil. B; 3-drill-stemjoint; joint;4—drill 4-drill stem; stem;5—current 5-current coil. 3—drill-stem coil. The contact-type detection device and initial cost The detection method method has has the the advantages advantages of of aaa simpler simpler and lower lower The contact-type contact-type detection method has the advantages of simpler device device and lower initial initial cost cost than the contactless method; however, it requires a high reliability for the contact probe and is only than the contactless method; however, it requires a high reliability for the contact probe and is only than the contactless method; however, it requires a high reliability for the contact probe and is only suitable for the the joint. the suitable the internal internal flush flush drill drill stem, stem, whose whose outer outer diameter diameter becomes becomes larger larger at at the the joint. joint. For For the suitable for for the internal flush drill stem, whose outer diameter becomes larger at For the external flat drill stem without artificial reconstruction, whose outer diameter remains constant at the external whose outer outer diameter constant at external flat flat drill drill stem stem without without artificial artificial reconstruction, reconstruction, whose diameter remains remains constant at the the joint, this method fails. joint, this method fails. joint, this method fails. In comparison, contactless detection method has a complex device and aa higher In comparison, the the higher initial initial cost cost In comparison, the contactless contactless detection detection method method has has aa complex complex device device and and a higher initial cost but a longer lifetime and higher reliability, as there is no friction between the detecting device and but longer lifetime lifetimeand andhigher higherreliability, reliability,asas there friction between detecting device but aa longer there is is nono friction between thethe detecting device andand the the drill stems. Additionally, the results are not affected by drilling cuttings attached to the surface the drill stems. Additionally, the results are not affected by drilling cuttings attached to the drill stems. Additionally, the results are not affected by drilling cuttings attached to the surfacesurface of the of the drill stems the Thus, the detection method is ideal choice for of thestems drill during stems during during the drilling. drilling. Thus, the contactless contactless method is the the ideal for drill the drilling. Thus, the contactless detectiondetection method is the ideal choice forchoice detecting detecting the horizontal drilling length. detecting the horizontal drilling length. the horizontal drilling length. 2.3. Theoretical Basis for Computing Magnetic-Field 2.3. Magnetic-Field Strength Strength 2.3. Theoretical Theoretical Basis Basis for for Computing Computing Magnetic-Field Strength The current coil for contactless detection can be considered solenoid, illustrated Figure The current coil coil for for contactless contactlessdetection detectioncan canbe beconsidered consideredasas asaaasolenoid, solenoid,asas asillustrated illustratedinin inFigure Figure The current 3. 3. The magnetic-field strength at an arbitrary point (P) around the solenoid can be calculated using 3. The magnetic-field strength at an arbitrary point (P) around the solenoid can be calculated using The magnetic-field strength at an arbitrary point (P) around the solenoid can be calculated using Equations (3)–(6) Equations (3)–(6) [21]. [21]. Equations (3)–(6) [21]. µr µ0 J Bρ 4π Zπ dθ π Bz µr µ0 J 4π Zπ π Zρ2 dρ ρ1 dθ Zρ2 ρ1 Zz2 z1 dρ (z z P )ρ cos θ dz r3 Zz2 z1 ρ(ρ ρ P cos θ ) dz r3 Figure Figure 3. 3. Model Model for for computing computing the the field field strength. strength. (3) (4)

B; 3-drill-stem joint; 4-drill stem; 5-current coil. The contact-type detection method has the advantages of a simpler device and lower initial cost than the contactless method; however, it requires a high reliability for the contact probe and is only Sensors 2017, 967 internal flush drill stem, whose outer diameter becomes larger at the joint. For 5 ofthe 16 suitable for17,the external flat drill stem without artificial reconstruction, whose outer diameter remains constant at the joint, this method fails. h i 2 1/2 2 2 r ρ ρ 2ρρ cos θ z z (5) ( ) P P In comparison, the contactless detection method has a complex device and a higher initial cost P but a longer lifetime and higher reliability, as there is no friction between the detecting device and nU nI affected by drilling cuttings attached to the surface (6) J the results are not the drill stems. Additionally, (ρ2 ρ1 )(z2 z1 ) (ρ2 ρ1 )(z2 z1 )( R1 R2) of the drill stems during the drilling. Thus, the contactless detection method is the ideal choice for Here,the Bz horizontal is the axialdrilling magnetic-field detecting length. strength at point P; Bρ is the radial magnetic-field strength; µr is the relative magnetic permeability; µ0 is the permeability of vacuum; ρ1 is the inner radius of the solenoid coil; ρBasis radius of the solenoid coil; θ P , ρP and zP are the cylindrical coordinates 2 is the 2.3. Theoretical forexternal Computing Magnetic-Field Strength of point P; J is the current density; z1 is the axial coordinate of the bottom plane of the solenoid coil; The current coil for contactless detection can be considered as a solenoid, as illustrated in Figure z2 is the radial coordinate of the upper surface of the solenoid coil; n is the number of turns of the 3. The magnetic-field strength at an arbitrary point (P) around the solenoid can be calculated using electromagnetic coil; U is the service voltage; R1 is the resistance of the electromagnetic coil; R2 is the Equations (3)–(6) [21]. coil resistance. Figure strength. Figure 3. 3. Model Model for for computing computing the the field field strength. 2.4. Distinguishing Drill-Stem Joint from Drill Stem Many materials—including air, the drill stem, and mud—pass through the current coil during the drilling process. Changes in these materials affect the relative dielectric constant µr , thereby altering the strength of the magnetic field around the coil. The most significant factor is the drill stem, which is made of a ferromagnetic material, because the magnetic field is extremely sensitive to the difference in the cross-section between the drill stem and the drill-stem joint. Thus, n1 and n2 can be determined by detecting the change of the magnetic-field strength that occurs when the drill stem and drill-stem joint successively pass the current coil. 2.5. Judgement of Movement Direction The movement direction of the drill stem must be identified according to the order of the responses of Sensors A and B. The magnetic-field changes that occur when the drill stem and drill-stem joint perform forward or backward movement have the same direction, even if their magnitudes differ. If Sensor A indicates the change of the magnetic field prior to Sensor B, the power unit is in the status of feeding in the drill stem, i.e., performing forward movement; thus, the number of forward drill-stem joints n1 is increased by 1 and written to the memory chip in terms of the real-time change. Otherwise, the power unit is in the status of hoisting the drill bit, i.e., performing backward movement; thus, the number of backward drill-stem joints n2 is increased by 1 and then written to the memory chip in terms of the real-time change. 2.6. Data acquisition and Processing The detection is continuously performed while the HDD drilling rig is working. During the detection, the acquired data are stored in the memory cell of slave computer and the operator of drilling rig can directly observe the measurement results displayed on the small screen of slave computer. For further data management, the data from detection system of each HDD drilling rig are transferred to the drilling-length data-management system (developed using the software LabVIEW; National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA) in the host computer.

Sensors 2017, 17, 967 6 of 16 The slave computer works on the spot while the host computer with data-management system works at the administration center. If the slave computer is on the ground as the host computer, Sensors 2017, 17, 967 them can be transferred by either wireless transmission or portable storage unit6 like of 16 the data between USB (universal serials bus) drive. However, as the HDD drilling in the coal seam is at least 100 m beneath the ground, the data However, as the HDD drilling in the coal seam is at least 100 m beneath the ground, the data transmission is difficult by wireless way. The detection system setup on the HDD drilling rig is transmission is difficult by wireless way. The detection system setup on the HDD drilling rig is available for the operator on the spot, not for the administrators on the ground. Therefore, the available for the operator on the spot, not for the administrators on the ground. Therefore, the memory memory cell (USB drive) full of data will be carried to the ground after a day work in coal seam. cell (USB drive) full of data will be carried to the ground after a day work in coal seam. 3. Design Design of of Contactless Contactless Detection DetectionSystem SystemBased Basedon onBi-Electromagnetic Bi-ElectromagneticSensing Sensing 3. 3.1. General General Scheme Scheme Design Design 3.1. According to to the the aforementioned aforementioned analysis analysis of of the the drilling-length drilling-length detection detection based based on on double double According electromagnetic sensing, an installation presented in electromagnetic installation diagram diagramof ofthe thecontactless contactlessdetection detectionsystem systemis is presented Figure 4. 4. in Figure Figure4.4. Installation Installation diagram diagramof ofcontactless contactlessdetection detectionsystem. system. Figure The current coil is fixed beside the front clamping unit, coaxially with the drill stem. Two The current coil is fixed beside the front clamping unit, coaxially with the drill stem. Two magnetoresistive sensors—Sensors A and B—are fixed on the sides of the current coil symmetrically. magnetoresistive sensors—Sensors A and B—are fixed on the sides of the current coil symmetrically. They detect the real-time different changes of the magnetic field produced by the movement of the They detect the real-time different changes of the magnetic field produced by the movement of the drill stem and the drill-stem joint through the current coils. A critical value is set to judge whether drill stem and the drill-stem joint through the current coils. A critical value is set to judge whether the the drill-stem joint or drill-stem is passing through the clamping unit. drill-stem joint or drill-stem is passing through the clamping unit. According to the aforementioned general scheme, the working flow of the contactless detection According to the aforementioned general scheme, the working flow of the contactless detection system is illustrated in Figure 5. system is illustrated in Figure 5. 3.2. Design for Microprocessor System A structural diagram of the microprocessor system for the drilling-length detection system for directional drilling is illustrated in Figure 6. The detection system collects real-time signals from the two magneto resistive sensors. After passing through a series of signal-conditioning circuits for differential amplification, filtering, taking the absolute value, and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion, the signals of the magneto resistive sensors are transmitted to the micro programmed control unit

Sensors 2017, 17, 967 7 of 16 (MCU). The signals are processed by the MCU to determine whether the drill-stem joint passes through the current coil and determine the movement direction according to the responding sequence of the two magneto resistive sensors. Then, the drilling-length data processed by the MCU are stored in the Sensors 2017,chip 17, 967 7 of 16 memory as digital data. Figure Figure 5. 5. Flow Flow chart chart of of contactless contactless detection. detection. 3.2. Design for Microprocessor System A structural diagram of the microprocessor system for the drilling-length detection system for directional drilling is illustrated in Figure 6. The detection system collects real-time signals from the two magneto resistive sensors. After passing through a series of signal-conditioning circuits for differential amplification, filtering, taking the absolute value, and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion, the signals of the magneto resistive sensors are transmitted to the micro programmed control unit (MCU). The signals are processed by the MCU to determine whether the drill-stem joint passes through the current coil and determine the movement direction according to the responding sequence of the two magneto resistive sensors. Then, the drilling-length data processed by the MCU are stored in the memory chip as digital data.

Sensors 2017, 17, 967 Sensors2016, 16,xFOR PEER REVIEW Sensors 2017, 17, 967 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 8 of 16 9 of 4 8 of 16 by the MCU are stored in the memory chip as digital data. Figure 6. Hardware Hardware structure of the horizontal drilling-length detection system. Fig. 6 Hardware structure of the horizontal drilling‐length detection system 3.3. Software for Contactless Electromagnetic Detection System System 3.3. Contactlesselectromagnetic Electromagnetic Detection 3.3 Software Software for for contactless detection system The system software is composed of the software in the host computer computer and the the software software in in the The is composed composed ofthe thesoftware software the host Thesystem system software software is of ininthe host computer andand the software in the the slave slave computer. computer. The The visual visual host-computer host-computer software software processes, processes, displays, displays, and and saves saves the the drilling drilling length, length, slave computer. The visual host‐computer software processes, displays, and saves the drilling and the slave-computer software drives all the operations of the hardware system. and the slave-computer software drives all the operations of the hardware system. length, and the slave‐computer software drives all the operations of the hardware system. 3.3.1. Software 3.3.1Slave-Computer Slave‐computer software Theslave-computer slave‐computer software ofofaof acquisition module, a module for for datadata The software consists asensor‐data sensor-data acquisition module, a module slave-computer softwareconsists consists a sensor-data acquisition module, a module for transmission between the host and slave computers, and an inter‐integrated circuit (I transmission between hosthost andand slave computers, data transmission between the slave computers,and andanan inter-integrated inter-integrated circuit circuit2C)(I2C) C) communication communicationmodule. module. The designcan canbebedivided dividedinto into five programs: sensor Theslave slave computer computer programming programming design five programs: thethe sensor datadata 2 acquisition and processing subprogram, communication subprogram, interrupt subprogram, subprogram,I2C IC Ccommunication communicationsubprogram, subprogram, interrupt subprogram, acquisition and processing interrupt subprogram, subprogram for data transmission between the slave and host computer subprograms, and main subprogram for data transmission between the slave and host computer subprograms, and main program. The The main main program program performs performs the data acquisition, processing, processing, and and saving by calling the program. The subprograms. main program A performs the of data processing, and saving by Flow calling the corresponding flow chart theacquisition, main program charts is shown in Figure 7. of corresponding A herein. flow chart of the main program is shown in Fig. 7. Fl

The drilling length is a significant parameter in horizontal borehole path design and drilling-state monitoring. It can be used for fitting the drilling profile, computing the deviation, designing the drilling profile, and developing an algorithm for automated directional drilling [3]. In addition,