Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter Sources

Traditional emitters used for downhole acoustic detection have limited radiation frequency and energy, making it difficult to transmit high-precision acoustic signals over long distances. This paper presents a plasma emitter in which high-pressure discharge generates a powerful spherical impulse wav...

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Main Authors: Xu Gao, Jing Zhou, Xiao Du
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1715
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author Xu Gao
Jing Zhou
Xiao Du
author_facet Xu Gao
Jing Zhou
Xiao Du
author_sort Xu Gao
collection DOAJ
description Traditional emitters used for downhole acoustic detection have limited radiation frequency and energy, making it difficult to transmit high-precision acoustic signals over long distances. This paper presents a plasma emitter in which high-pressure discharge generates a powerful spherical impulse wave with a wide frequency range. First, the discharge characteristics of the plasma needle-plate emitter are analyzed using high-voltage discharge experiments and discharge simulation models for underwater emitters. Subsequently, advanced modifications are made to the structure of the needle–plate emitter to meet the requirements of downhole detection. A new type of hollow needle–plate emitter with a spherical tip is developed. The results show that the structural optimization of the hollow needle–plate emitter with a spherical tip resulted in a 27.2% increase in impulse wave amplitude, a 28.1% improvement in electro-acoustic conversion efficiency, and a radiation frequency band covering up to 100 kHz. This development is conducive to more accurate and longer-range downhole structure detection. The detection range outside the borehole can reach tens to hundreds of meters. This enables the precise control of the wellbore path and reduces the demands on the rig’s build rate. The emitter has significant application potential in areas such as onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, unconventional resource detection, impulse wave fracturing and wellbore clearance, and rescue and U-well drilling.
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spelling doaj-art-0478c5aae3ed41fcacf0b8ecf9695ae62025-08-20T01:48:49ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01256171510.3390/s25061715Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter SourcesXu Gao0Jing Zhou1Xiao Du2College of Petroleum Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, ChinaCollege of Petroleum Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, ChinaCollege of Petroleum Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, ChinaTraditional emitters used for downhole acoustic detection have limited radiation frequency and energy, making it difficult to transmit high-precision acoustic signals over long distances. This paper presents a plasma emitter in which high-pressure discharge generates a powerful spherical impulse wave with a wide frequency range. First, the discharge characteristics of the plasma needle-plate emitter are analyzed using high-voltage discharge experiments and discharge simulation models for underwater emitters. Subsequently, advanced modifications are made to the structure of the needle–plate emitter to meet the requirements of downhole detection. A new type of hollow needle–plate emitter with a spherical tip is developed. The results show that the structural optimization of the hollow needle–plate emitter with a spherical tip resulted in a 27.2% increase in impulse wave amplitude, a 28.1% improvement in electro-acoustic conversion efficiency, and a radiation frequency band covering up to 100 kHz. This development is conducive to more accurate and longer-range downhole structure detection. The detection range outside the borehole can reach tens to hundreds of meters. This enables the precise control of the wellbore path and reduces the demands on the rig’s build rate. The emitter has significant application potential in areas such as onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, unconventional resource detection, impulse wave fracturing and wellbore clearance, and rescue and U-well drilling.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1715needle–plate structureimpulse waveplasma emitter
spellingShingle Xu Gao
Jing Zhou
Xiao Du
Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter Sources
Sensors
needle–plate structure
impulse wave
plasma emitter
title Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter Sources
title_full Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter Sources
title_fullStr Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter Sources
title_full_unstemmed Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter Sources
title_short Experimental Research on and Optimization of Plasma Emitter Sources
title_sort experimental research on and optimization of plasma emitter sources
topic needle–plate structure
impulse wave
plasma emitter
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1715
work_keys_str_mv AT xugao experimentalresearchonandoptimizationofplasmaemittersources
AT jingzhou experimentalresearchonandoptimizationofplasmaemittersources
AT xiaodu experimentalresearchonandoptimizationofplasmaemittersources