Feasibility Assessment of a Deep Ocean Rock Coring Drill

摘要

The project researched the technical and economic feasibility of an oceanographic instrument capable of drilling in and retrieving 50 meter rock core samples from selected sites on the deep ocean seafloor. The proposed device is also capable of sediment coring, in situ geological measurement, and down-hole instrument implantation. The approach to assessing the feasibility of this concept was to develop a general rock drill design and evaluate the options for each of its components, giving serious consideration to system performance requirements indicated by potential users. Aspects of the design detailed in the report include: sub-sea drill pipe and core barrel handling; positioning and navigation; core sample retrieval; power and distribution systems; instrumentation and control systems; physical and mechanical configuration; and shipboard handling requirements.