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Design and performance of an open-ended converging microwave antenna in fracturing biotite diorite at low microwave power levels

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Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The converging waveguide antennas have great potential in fracturing rocks at relatively low microwave power outputs and short exposure times comparing to the standard waveguide and horn antennas. This article presents the design process of a converging waveguide antenna considering the maximum temperature, the volume characteristics of the high temperature zone and the effective working distance. It is decided that the waveguide with an aperture height of 30 mm is the optimal design. The antenna was then manufactured and used for surface radiation tests on a biotite diorite at low power levels. Non-destructive tests including temperature measurement, crack pattern characterisation, ultrasonic velocity tests, Schmidt hammer rebound tests and rock breakage tests using pneumatic and hydraulic hammers were performed to quantify the thermal damage and the weakening effect. The tests results show the converging waveguide antenna is efficient in fracturing the biotite diorite. The cracks are in the radial pattern. The maximum P-wave velocity and rebound number reductions on the radiation face are 22.7% and 22.6% for the specimens heated at 6 kW for 4 min, and the maximum P-wave velocity reduction is 54% in the lateral direction. Rock breakage tests on microwave specimens using impact hammers demonstrated that microwave treatment substantially improves the mechanical rock breakage efficiency.

Article Highlights

  • Critically reviewed the antenna/applicator types for microwave fracturing of rocks in the field

  • Presented the design of a converging waveguide antenna

  • Tested the performance of the antenna in fracturing a biotite diorite at low power levels

  • Evaluated the assistance of microwave in mechanical rock breakage

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Acknowledgements

The tests presented in this article were conducted in association with a project titled “Developing low-power microwave tools to assist rock excavation for underground caverns”, led by Professor Jian Zhao of Monash University Australia, and funded by Singapore JTC Corporation. The article has been reviewed by Professor Jian Zhao. The authors would also like to acknowledge the financial support from the State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology (SKLGDUEK1903), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41831281), the Innovative and Entrepreneurial Doctor Program of Jiangsu Province, China as well as the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (No. KYCX20_0114).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China

    Z. J. Ma, Y. L. Zheng, L. He, Q. H. Zhao & J. C. Li

  2. State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    X. Z. Li

  3. School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    X. B. Zhao & J. L. He

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Ma, Z.J., Zheng, Y.L., Li, X.Z. et al. Design and performance of an open-ended converging microwave antenna in fracturing biotite diorite at low microwave power levels. Geomech. Geophys. Geo-energ. Geo-resour. 7, 95 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-021-00291-0

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