Recommended Bit Hydraulics for Mineral Exploration Bits

Determination of In-Hole Fluid Circulation Parameters

Annular velocity is defined as the rate at which the circulating fluid and cuttings are
returned to the surface through the annular gap between the drill hole wall and the drill
string.

The normal recommendations for annular velocity are:
Maximum: 165 feet/minute (or 50 metres/minute)
Minimum: 60 feet/minute (or 18 metres/minute)

The following formula may be used to calculate the maximum and minimum circulation
pump rate (Q):
(

=
c
h s d
V Q
A
) ( 785 . 0
2 2

Depending on the measurement system in use, the formula variables have been
defined in the following table:

Variable Description of Variable Units and Constants
Q Pump Rate US Gallons / min Imperial Gals. / min Litres / min
V
A
Annular Velocity Feet / min Feet /min Metres / min
h Unit Height of Annulus 12 Inches / foot 12 Inches / foot 1000 mm /metre
d Drill Hole Diameter Inches Inches mm
s Drill String Diameter Inches Inches mm
c Volume Conversion 231 Inch
3
/ US gal 277 Inch
3
/ Imp gal 1 x 10
6
mm
3
/ Litre

Based on the equation given above and on the maximum and minimum recommended
annular velocities, the maximum and minimum recommended circulation pump rates
(Q) for the most common drill bit diameter and drill string diameter combinations are
given in the following table:

Recommended Circulation Pump Rate (Q) Drill Hole
Designation
Hole Diameter
(d)
Drill String Dia.
(s) US Gals / min Imp Gals / min Litres / min
E
1.485 Inch
37,72 mm
1.375 Inch
34,93 mm
2.1 (Max)
0.8 (Min)
1.8 (Max)
0.6 (Min)
8 (Max)
3 (Min)
A
1.890 Inch
48,01 mm
1.750 Inch
44,45 mm
3.4 (Max)
1.2 (Min)
2.9 (Max)
1.0 (Min)
13 (Max)
5 (Min)
B
2.360 Inch
59,94 mm
2.188 Inch
55,58 mm
5.3 (Max)
1.9 (Min)
4.4 (Max)
1.6 (Min)
20 (Max)
7 (Min)
N
2.980 Inch
75.69 mm
2.750 Inch
69,85 mm
8.9 (Max)
3.2 (Min)
7.4 (Max)
2.7 (Min)
34 (Max)
12 (Min)
H
3.782 Inch
96,06 mm
3.500 Inch
88,90 mm
13.8 (Max)
5.0 (Min)
11.5 (Max)
4.2 (Min)
52 (Max)
19 (Min)
P
4.827 Inch
122,61 mm
4.500 Inch
114,30 mm
20.5 (Max)
7.5 (Min)
17.1 (Max)
6.2 (Min)
78 (Max)
28 (Min)

Dimatec Inc. Recommended Bit Hydraulics for Mineral Exploration Bits Page 2 of 4


Q values approaching the MAXIMUM limit should be used in cases where any of the
following are applicable:
The cuttings generated by the bit are relatively large such as those generated by
surface-set diamond bits with nominal face stone sizes of 10 stones per carat or
larger.
The hardness of the formation causes considerable friction on the bit face resulting
in high heat generation.
The formation is relatively consolidated with little or no fluid return loss.

Q values approaching the MINIMUM limit should be used in cases where any of the
following are applicable:
The cuttings generated by the bit are relatively fine.
The formation being drilled is susceptible to hydraulic erosion.
When drilling in very hard, fine-grained formations, it may be desirable to operate
diamond impregnated bits with lower circulation rates to permit some abrasion of the
matrix in order to maintain a satisfactory rate of penetration.
Where the bit in use has a waterway configuration with a small number of narrow
fluid passages, the use of a lower circulation rate will reduce the fluid pressure at the
bit face and will in turn reduce the effect of hydraulic lift that tends to counteract the
applied bit load.


























Dimatec Inc. Recommended Bit Hydraulics for Mineral Exploration Bits Page 3 of 4


Bit Face Fluid Dynamics
The effect of waterway configuration on input fluid pressure to the bit face for some
common diamond impregnated core bits is illustrated in the following table:

Circulation Pump Rate (Q)
Imperial Gallons / Minute
Fluid Pressure Developed
Pounds / Inch
2

Bit Size and
Waterway
Configuration
TFA
Inch
2

Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum
AQ 6W 0.037 2.9 1.0 6.26 0.74
AQ 6W+6T 0.037 2.9 1.0 6.26 0.74
AQ 5XW 0.056 2.9 1.0 2.65 0.32
AQ 5XXW 0.075 2.9 1.0 1.50 0.18
AQ 5FD 0.139 2.9 1.0 0.44 0.05
BQ 8W 0.049 4.4 1.6 8.11 1.07
BQ 8W+8T 0.049 4.4 1.6 8.11 1.07
BQ 6XW 0.068 4.4 1.6 4.24 0.56
BQ 6XXW 0.090 4.4 1.6 2.40 0.32
BQ 6FD 0.167 4.4 1.6 0.70 0.09
NQ 10W 0.061 7.4 2.7 14.67 1.95
NQ 10W+10T 0.061 7.4 2.7 14.67 1.95
NQ 8XW 0.090 7.4 2.7 6.75 0.90
NQ 8XXW 0.120 7.4 2.7 3.82 0.51
NQ 8FD 0.222 7.4 2.7 1.11 0.15
NQ 4SFD 0.377 7.4 2.7 0.39 0.05
HQ 12W 0.073 11.5 4.2 24.61 3.28
HQ 12W+12T 0.073 11.5 4.2 24.61 3.28
HQ 10XW 0.113 11.5 4.2 10.43 1.39
HQ 10XXW 0.150 11.5 4.2 5.90 0.79
HQ 10FD 0.278 11.5 4.2 1.72 0.23
HQ 5SFD 0.471 11.5 4.2 0.60 0.08
PQ 16W 0.136 17.1 6.2 15.87 2.09
PQ 16W+16T 0.136 17.1 6.2 15.87 2.09
PQ 14XW 0.179 17.1 6.2 9.16 1.20
PQ 12XXW 0.204 17.1 6.2 7.05 0.93
PQ 12FD 0.333 17.1 6.2 2.64 0.35
PQ 6SFD 0.565 17.1 6.2 0.92 0.12

All of the values for Fluid Pressure Developed given in the table above assume that
the circulating fluid has a specific gravity of 1.00.


The actual fluid pressure (P) developed at the face of any bit may be calculated by
using the following formula:
g
A
Q
P
2
2

|
.
|

\
|
=

Dimatec Inc. Recommended Bit Hydraulics for Mineral Exploration Bits Page 4 of 4


Where:
Q represents the circulation pump rate given in inch
3
/sec
A represents the TFA for the bit given in inch
2

represents the specific gravity of the circulating fluid
represents the density of water: a constant of 0.0361 pounds/inch
3

g represents the acceleration due to gravity: a constant of 384 inches/sec
2


Specific Gravity is a dimensionless quantity indicating how many times a certain
volume of a material is heavier than an equal volume of water. Specific gravity values
associated with bit hydraulics pertain to the mixture of water and polymers or drill muds
that are used as circulating fluid. Pure water at 62F has a specific gravity of 1.00 and a
density of 62.4 pounds/foot
3
. Typically, water and drill mud mixtures will have a specific
gravity in the range of 1.00 to 1.30 resulting in density values of 62.4 pounds/foot
3
to
81.1 pounds/foot
3
. The use of circulating fluids with a specific gravity greater than 1.00
will result in higher fluid pressures at the bit face.

TFA or Total Flow Area is defined as the combined cross-sectional area of all of the
fluid input ports: either the sum of the areas of the internal fluid passage canals or the
sum of the areas of the face discharge holes or slots moulded into the bit crown.



Revision 0
Document Release Date: February 28, 2002

The technical application data in this document is intended as a basic guideline for the selection of the appropriate tools for
your job. As drilling conditions and the capabilities of drilling equipment vary considerably from site to site, it is impossible
to define absolute parameters for the application of our drilling tools. Some experimentation on the part of the end user
may be required as parameters outside those recommended in Dimatecs product literature may be applicable. Every effort
has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data contained in this document. Dimatec Inc. cannot accept any liability due
to errors or omissions in the data we provide. Dimatec Inc. is constantly working to improve our products and therefore
reserve the right to make changes to materials, specifications, prices and technical data without prior notice.

Dimatec Inc., 180 Cree Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J 3W1
Phone: Toll-Free 1-866-202-5875 (Canada/US) or (204) 832-4268, Fax: (204) 832-4268