Seismic Data Interpretation and Identification of Hydrocarbon-Bearing Zones of Rajian Area, Pakistan

The present study interprets the subsurface structure of the Rajian area using seismic sections and the identification of hydrocarbon-bearing zones using petrophysical analysis. The Rajian area lies within the Upper Indus Basin in the southeast (SE) of the Salt Range Potwar Foreland Basin. The marked horizons are identified using formation tops from two vertical wells. Seismic interpretation of the given 2D seismic data reveals that the study area has undergone severe distortion illustrated by thrusts and back thrusts, forming a triangular zone within the subsurface. The final trend of those structures is northwest–southeast (NW–SE), indicating that the area is part of the compressional regime. The zones interpreted by the study of hydrocarbon potential include Sakessar limestone and Khewra sandstone. Due to the unavailability of a petrophysics log within the desired investigation depths, lithology cross-plots were used for the identification of two potential hydrocarbon-bearing zones in one well at depths of 3740–3835 m (zone 1) and 4015–4100 m (zone 2). The results show that zone 2 is almost devoid of hydrocarbons, while zone 1 has an average hydrocarbon saturation of about 11%.

Inorganic Cement Grouting for Reinforcing Triangular Zone of Highly Gassy Coal Face with Large Mining Height

Aiming to address the serious problem of coal wall spalling in the triangular zone of the coal face end under high-intensity mining, this paper introduces inorganic cement grouting reinforcement technology for medium-depth holes based on the specific geological conditions of the Sihe coal mine in China. Firstly, the effects of different water-to-material ratios and various accelerators on setting time and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of grouting materials and consolidation coal are studied. The results show that the combination of 2% accelerator I, 0.3% accelerator II, and 3.0% accelerator III was the most effective. Then, FLAC3D numerical simulation software was used to analyze the distribution laws of the plastic zone, the lateral abutment pressure, and abutment stresses in the face ends during repeated mining. The results indicate that the zone within 25–65 m of the front of the coal face was initially affected by the front abutment pressure. In this area, the stress value decreased slowly and fracture development was relatively intense. Grouting with high pressure and a large flow rate should be used in this scenario as the industrial experiment results indicated that the proposed inorganic cement grouting reinforcement technology could effectively control coal wall spalling and provide technical support for safe and efficient mining.

Phantom Cooling of Nozzle Trailing Edge Discharge on Blade Surface and Platform

Phantom cooling is defined as the cooling redistribution on airfoil surfaces and endwalls due to airfoil cooling discharges and leakages. Understanding of this effect has become especially critical in recent years, because of the restricted amount of cooling air for the achievement of higher efficiency. The phantom cooling effect of the first stage nozzle trailing edge discharge on the first stage blade surfaces and platform are studied numerically with URANS. Both time-dependent and time-averaged cooling effectiveness distributions on the rotor under the influence of vane trailing edge discharge are presented with different discharge velocity ratios. The results show that the nozzle trailing edge ejection affects the suction and pressure side cooling of the blade as well as the platform. The effects on the triangular zones of suction surface are evident, especially the bottom and top zones which are better cooled. Under the influence of passage secondary flows and rotating, different coolant discharge velocity ratios which resulted in different inlet angles have an effect on the phantom cooling distribution. In general, the cooling air discharged from the trailing edge of the first stage nozzle influences the temperature distribution on the blade, which can substantially improve the cooling efficiency in the bottom triangular zone. This suggests that accounting for phantom cooling can improve the cooling design and if actively controlled save cooling flow.

The Use of Bobbin Tools for Friction Stir Welding of Aluminium Alloys

The use of a double sided friction stir welding tool (known as a bobbin tool) has the advantage of giving a processed zone in the workpiece which is more or less rectangular in cross section, as opposed the triangular zone which is more typically found when conventional friction stir welding tool designs are used. In addition, the net axial force on the workpiece is almost zero, which has significant beneficial implications in machine design and cost. However, the response of these tools in generating fine microstructures in the nugget area has not been established. The paper presents detailed metallographic analyses of microstructures produced in 25mm AA6082-T6 aluminium wrought alloy, and examines grain size, texture and mechanical properties as a function of processing parameters and tool design, and offers comparison with data from welds made with conventional tools.