Firedrilling and Economic Drilling
Firedrilling and economic drilling both have their roots in ancient times. They are related forms of drilling that involve drilling through a material, usually a hard rock material, to form a cylindrical tunnel. In ancient times, firedrilling was used mainly for military and industrial applications, while economic drilling was used to extract resources such as oil, gas, and coal. Although they share commonalities, there are some important differences between these two forms of drilling.
Firedrilling is the oldest form of drilling and is most commonly used for military drills and in industrial applications. It involves the high-pressure injection of fuel, such as combustible gas, under immense pressure, into a cylindrical hole in a hard rock material. The fuel is ignited and a resultant heat and gas pressure then forces the rock material into the cylinder, creating a large hole in the rock. This large hole is used for applications such as providing access to large underground resources, creating passageways for vehicle movement, and creating a fire escape from a heat source, such as a mining explosion.
In contrast to firedrilling, economic drilling focuses mainly on extracting resources from the earth, such as oil, gas, and coal. The goal of this type of drilling is to find a point in the rocks and sedimentary beds in which the cost of extraction is lower than the value of the resources that are extracted. This is achieved by drilling a cylindrical hole deep into the earth and then inserting specialized tools and equipment such as turbines, pumps, and augers. These tools can remove the oil, gas, and coal, allowing the resource to be extracted. Economic drilling is also important for enabling researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the geology and geotectonic structure of an area.
Both firedrilling and economic drilling are important for economic activity, as well as for research and exploration purposes. Both techniques require specialized cutting and drilling equipment, as well as personnel who are experienced and trained to handle such operations. Additionally, both forms of drilling can be dangerous, so safety must always be a top priority. Firedrilling can create hazardous gases and open up potentially unstable terrain, while economic drilling may involve inserting machinery and equipment into unstable rocks and sedimentary beds, potentially creating a hazardous environment for human and animal activity.
In conclusion, firedrilling and economic drilling have many similarities and some important differences. Both involve drilling into a hard material to form a cylindrical hole and require specialized personnel and equipment. However, while firedrilling is mainly used in military and industrial applications, economic drilling is mainly used to extract resources such as oil, gas, and coal. Additionally, firedrilling can create hazardous gases, while economic drilling can create hazardous environments for human and animal activity.
