CorientR User Guide

USER
MANUAL
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION
Fordia is a leading canadian manufacturer with over 30 years of experience
in the production of diamond tools and equipment for the mineral exploration
and geotechnical industries.
With its global drilling solutions, Fordia offers clients a complete
range of high-quality tools, equipment and accessories. The CorientR
core orientation system is no exception to the rule, with all the necessary
features for optimal productivity.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
What is CorientR?
3
Why Orient the Core?
4
How Does It Work?
5
Handling Procedure For Drillers
7
Marking Procedure For Helpers
9
For Optimal Use of the System
11
Technical Specifications
13
Content of the Rental Kit
14
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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WHAT IS
CORIENTR?
CorientR is a patent-pending core orientation system developed by
Fordia. It consists of a mechanical device that is inserted between the
head assembly and the inner tube.
CorientR is used to identify the bottom of the core in order to determine
its original orientation in the ground. This data allows geologists to better
position samples within the formation.
As this manual explains, the design and operation of the CorientR
system are simple and straightforward. In addition, as the equipment
integrates seamlessly into the core barrel, it has very little effect on
drilling operations.
CorientR is manufactured in Canada from the highest quality materials
and complies with the quality standards of ISO 9001:2008.
Fully Integrated Device
Easy to Read Measurement System
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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WHY ORIENT
THE CORE?
Core orientation is considered an essential piece of data by many geologists.
It allows them to precisely identify the original orientation of a core
sample prior to its extraction from the ground.
Data on the original orientation of core samples enables geologists to better
understand how mineral veins and faults cross an area under exploration.
This lets them calculate drilling programs so as to:
1.Specify the direction and ideal inclination of boreholes in order to:
• accurately determine the direction of the mineral veins present
in the ground
• pass through faults at the most perpendicular angle possible in
order to maximize sample recovery and the pace of drilling.
2.Optimize meters drilled in order to efficiently cover the largest surface
possible.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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HOW DOES IT
WORK?
CorientR makes simple use of gravity to determine the lowest point of
the borehole.
The measuring device is comprised of three white balls that are held in
place by discs. The discs are released by the compressive force exerted
when the core barrel is full. This releases the balls, which settle at the
lowest point of the borehole.
Held in Place
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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When the operator breaks the core, the compressive force is released
and the discs return to their original position holding the balls in place all
the way up to the surface. The grooved sleeve in the middle of the device
is then simply rotated to reveal the balls.
Grooved Sleeve
To confirm the measurement, the user must ensure that at least two of the
three balls are aligned in the reading window. The user can then transfer
the reading onto the core sample using the levels specially designed for
this purpose and a grease pencil.
Valid Reading
As instructed by the geologist, the user will be required to assemble and
mark the core sample along its entire length or at a number of specific
points. Once the core sample is marked, the core orientation procedure
is successfully completed.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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HANDLING
PROCEDURE
FOR DRILLERS
1. Fill inner tube until water pressure increases.
This ensures that the core orientation device is compressed, allowing the balls
to move freely.
5 sec
12
9
3
6
5 sec
12
2. Stop drill rotation while maintaining feed pressure.
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Feed pressure must be maintained to ensure that the balls can move freely. Under
the influence of gravity, the moving balls will naturally settle at the lowest point
of the borehole.
5 sec
12
9
3
6
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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6
7
5 sec
12
3. Wait 5 seconds.
9
This pause ensures that the three balls settle properly prior to measurement.
3
6
5 sec
5 sec
12
12
9
3
9
3
6
6
5 sec
5 sec
12
12
9
3
4. Without resuming rotation, bring up drill rods to break core, then
remove filled inner tube.
9
3
6
5 sec
12
9
3
6
NOTE: It is important not to lower the rods during this procedure, otherwise the
reading will not be correct and the whole process will need to be repeated.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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MARKING
PROCEDURE
FOR HELPERS
1. Before sending the inner tube assembly into the
borehole, note the alignment number engraved on the
sleeve corresponding to the position of the balls.*
2. Lower the inner tube assembly into the borehole
as usual.
3. Once the run is complete, remove the inner tube
assembly holding the core sample and place it on
a bench.
4. Ensure that the core orientation device has taken
a new reading and that it is valid. The position of the
balls must differ from that noted prior to measurement
(Step 1). In addition, at least two of the three balls must
be aligned in the reading window in order for the
reading to be considered valid.
5. Place unit with reading window and visible balls facing
up, then level the complete assembly using the two levels
supplied with the CorientR rental kit. Place the first level over
the orientation device’s reading panel, and the second one
on the core lifter case near the entry of the core.**
6. Be vigilant that the assembly does not turn, use a grease
pencil to transfer the alignment of the balls onto the core
sample. Mark a line on the face and top of the exposed
core sample.
7. Empty the inner tube, while carefully placing the sample
into the core box with the yellow mark facing up, unless
otherwise specified by the geologist.
*Recording the position of the balls before using the CorientR is a simple step to providing an additional validation step. The user can compare this position with that recorded
after the measurement and determine whether the procedure was successful.
**This procedure can be carried out by one person. However, the leveling of the assembly is much faster and more accurate when carried out by two people.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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CAUTION: When tightening and loosening the orientation device, ensure that the assembly is not held by its
extremities or at an angle, as this could severely damage the measuring device.
Fordia recommends that users place the assembly on flat surface to avoid accidental damage.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
FOR OPTIMAL
USE OF THE
SYSTEM
11
OPERATION
Compare the position of the balls prior to measurement with that after
measurement to validate that a proper reading was taken.
Once the reading is taken and the core is broken, it is important not to
lower the string of drill rods.The pressure of the lowered drill rods may
release the balls again and thus falsify the reading.
Marking can be done by only one person (e.g., the driller’s helper), but the
leveling of the assembly is quicker and more accurate when performed
by two.
MAINTENANCE
Fordia is responsible for all the necessary maintenance for the rental
kit, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of the measures taken with the
CorientR system. During maintenance, an operational replacement kit is
sent to the client.
Always store CorientR components in their original box when not in use.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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CAUTION
Never use the inner tube wrench on the middle section of the CorientR.
This section, marked in yellow below, could be damaged.
Sensitive Section
Thread Protector
Never use excessive force to tighten the CorientR during assembly, as this
could damage the threads.
Never expose CorientR systems to bad weather for more than two hours
at a time.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
Technical
specifications
Operating range
±0º to 88º
Measurement accuracy*
±1º
Maximum drilling depth
2,000 m
Weight of unit
NWL: 10 kg (22 lb)
Working temperature
-20º C to 50º C
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*Note that the accuracy of the complete measuring system is between 2º and 3º, depending on use.
© FORDIA 2010. All rights reserved.
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CONTENT
OF THE
RENTAL KIT
The CorientR rental kit includes all the accessories required to equip
two inner tube assemblies using the same core barrel. This approach is
consistent with the typical operation of drill sites in Canada.
The following items are included in the rental kit:
Description
Quantity
Core orientation device
2
Spacers
4
Levels
2
Outer tube extension
1
Inner tube extensions
2
Box of grease pencils
1
WWW.FORDIA.COM
T 514.336.9211
TF 1.800.768.7274
F 514.745.4125
© 2010 FORDIA. All rights reserved. E-10
[email protected]
10-02-091