Rotary drilling rigs and DTH surface drilling rigs are the two mainstream drilling equipment in the field of mining, piling and well drilling, etc. Although both of them have the core function of drilling, there are significant differences in their working principles, application scenarios and technical characteristics. Although they both take drilling as their core function, there are significant differences in their working principles, application scenarios and technical characteristics.
I.Comparison of working principle and core technology
1.Rotary Drilling Rig: Conqueror of Ground by Rotary Cutting
Rotary drilling rig adopts the compound working mode of ‘rotary cutting + pressurised drilling’. Its hydraulic power head drives the drilling rod and drill bit to rotate at high speed, and at the same time applies vertical pressure through the pressurised system to cut clay, sand and other soft strata into spoil. The cuttings are lifted to the outside of the hole through the drilling bucket, forming an efficient and continuous hole formation process. The equipment can be flexibly adapted to complex formations such as pebble layer and soft rock by changing tools such as auger bit and barrel drill.
Technical highlights:
Mud wall protection technology: adopting static mud or dry method to form holes, which is less polluting and meets the requirements of urban environmental protection.
Intelligent control system: Equipped with embedded electronic control system, supporting full Chinese human-machine interface and automated drilling parameter adjustment, which significantly reduces the operation difficulty.
2.DTH Drilling Rig: Impact Specialist for Hard Rock Drilling
DTH Surface drilling rig is based on the synergistic operation of ‘impact + rotation’. Its core component, the Down-The-Hole Drill, uses compressed air to drive a high-frequency hammer to impact the rock (at a frequency of 30-50Hz), while the drill pipe rotates to drive the drill bit to break up the rock. This impact energy is directly applied to the bottom of the hole, which makes it 3-5 times faster than rotary drilling rigs in granite, basalt and other high-strength rocks.
The automated pick-up and unloading system realises fully automatic pick-up and unloading of 5+1 drill pipes, which reduces the auxiliary operation time by more than 30%.
Remote control technology: supports wireless control within 100 metres, which can guarantee the safety of operators under dangerous working conditions.
II.Applicable Scenarios and Economic Analysis of Efficiency
1.Stratum adaptability and hole size requirement
Rotary drilling rig:
It is good at soft ground (clay, sand) and medium hardness rock layer, and can complete large diameter pile foundation construction with diameter ≥1m and depth >30m, such as high-rise buildings, cross-sea bridges and other projects. In soft ground, its hole formation efficiency is 15-20 times higher than that of traditional percussion drilling.
Specialised in hard rock and small diameter deep hole work, such as mine blasting holes. In granite formation, the drilling speed can reach 0.5-1 metre/minute, and the verticality error of the drill hole is less than 0.5%.
2.Cost and maintenance comparison
Rotary drilling rig:
The initial investment is higher, the price of equipment is higher, but the long-term comprehensive cost is low.
The price of the equipment is only 1/3-1/2 of rotary drilling rig, and the structure is simple, low maintenance cost.
III.Analysis of environmental performance and operation convenience
1.Environmental performance
Rotary drilling rig:
Adopting mud circulation system or dry hole formation, the dust emission is less than 10mg/m³, which meets the EU CE environmental protection certification standard.
It needs to be equipped with air compressor and dust removal equipment, and the dust emission can be controlled within 20mg/m³.
2.Flexibility in operation and transport
Rotary drilling rig:
High degree of automation, equipped with 360° panoramic camera and intelligent verticality correction system, leading in operating comfort.
The portable model can be dismantled quickly, and the weight of the whole machine is less than 5 tonnes, which is suitable for transportation in mountainous areas, mining areas and other complex terrain.
The core difference between rotary drilling rigs and DTH surface drilling rigs lies in the ‘stratigraphic adaptability’ and ‘energy transfer method’: the former responds to the demand for soft soil and large holes with rotary cutting, while the latter conquers the challenges of hard rock and deep holes with impact crushing. In the actual project, it is necessary to combine geological investigation data, project budget and environmental protection requirements for comprehensive selection.
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