Engineering topics

Steedman, David W.

Publications and source records attributed to Steedman, David W..

4 records

DOE OSTI2019

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) Science Plan (Version 2.4c)

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) series is a long-term NNSA research and development effort designed to improve U.S. arms control and nuclear nonproliferation verification and monitoring capabilities. The findings from the SPE will advance the United States’ nuclear explosion monitoring capabilities, particularly with respect to detection, discrimination and determination of yields associated with small nuclear explosions that can be lost amid the noisy seismo-acoustic background from other sources. The data generated from the SPE, a series of well-designed and recorded chemical explosions, will contribute to the development and validation of first-principles explosive source generated seismo-acoustic modeling codes. These codes will then facilitate the update of semi-empirical methods, currently based on historic test site data, such that key explosion observables can be reproduced, thus improving confidence in nuclear test monitoring in new areas and/or under novel emplacement conditions. The overall SPE project is comprised of both the development of the new explosion simulation codes and the chemical explosion test series. The chemical explosion test series will generate the empirical data required to both develop and validate the new simulation codes.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

Fluid transport systems for use in a downhole explosive fracturing system

Explosive devices and assemblies are described herein for use in geologic fracturing. Components of energetic material used in the explosive devices can be initially separated prior to inserting the assembled system down a wellbore, then later combined prior to detonation. Some exemplary explosive units for insertion into a borehole for use in fracturing a geologic formation surrounding the borehole can comprise a casing comprising a body defining an internal chamber, a first component of an explosive positioned within the internal chamber of the casing, and an inlet communicating with the internal chamber through which a second component of the explosive mixture is deliverable into the internal chamber to comprise the explosive.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

DOE OSTI2019

Multi-stage geologic fracturing

Explosive geologic fracturing methods, devices, and systems can be used in combination with other geologic fracturing means, such as hydraulic fracturing methods, devices and systems, or other fluid-based fracturing means. An exemplary method comprises introducing an explosive system into a wellbore in a geologic formation, detonating the explosive system in the wellbore to fracture at least a first portion of the geologic formation adjacent to the wellbore, and introducing pressurized fluid into the wellbore to enhance the fracturing of the first portion of the geologic formation. Such multi-stage fracturing can further enhance the resulting fracturing of geologic formation relative to explosive fracturing alone.

Mace, Jonathan Lee↗

DOE OSTI2019

Casings for use in a system for fracturing rock within a bore

In disclosed explosive units for use in a wellbore, the casing can include a tubular outer body comprising grooves, pockets, or other variances in thickness that create stress concentrations that promote shear and tensile fragmentation instead of ductile expansion of the casing, which can negatively impact permeability of a wellbore. In other embodiments, the casing can comprise non-ductile and/or reactive material which responds to explosive or high temperature loading by brittle failure, disintegration, melting, burning, and/or chemically reacting with the energetic materials and/or the borehole environment. Such embodiments can enhance the permeability of the wellbore after detonation.

03 NATURAL GAS↗