NQ stands for “Nomination Quill” and is an international standard core barrel size used in diamond core drilling. It has a nominal outside diameter of 3.86 inches (98 mm) and is used to obtain geological sample cores of the earth.
It is named after the spinning quill, a mechanism used to advance the drill bit at the bottom of the drill rod. In the diamond drilling exploration process, the overburden (unwanted material between the surface and the target horizon) is removed, and the NQ tool is used to obtain cylindrical samples from the subsurface soil and rock formations.
The recovered core is then studied for geology, mineralogy, and other important parameters for engineering and hydrogeologic projects.
What are NQ drill rods?
NQ drill rods are hollow rods with threaded connections at either end and are primarily used in geological drill operations to transport diamond drill bits to the desired depth of drilling. These rods are designed to be robust and lightweight, allowing the drill operator to complete deep drilling operations with ease.
The rods are typically made up of hardened steel that has been heat treated to make it strong and durable. They are also available in various outer diameters and lengths, allowing them to be used in a variety of applications.
The standard length of a NQ drill rod is generally between 4 to 9 feet, and they can be used to reach drilling depths of up to 1000 meters. The use of these rods is not only limited to diamond drilling applications and they can also be used with tools such as percussion drills and sondes.
What does NQ core weigh?
The NQ Core weighs approximately 10.3 kilograms. It is a ruggedized, waterproof tablet created by NEXCOM that utilizes Intel’s 7th Gen Core “Kaby Lake” mobile platform. This device is designed to be used in a variety of scenarios that demand reliable and powerful performance, such as factory automation, surveillance, healthcare and retail applications.
The device features an impact-resistant aluminum IP65 rated case and is optionally available with an AISI 316 stainless steel enclosure for added protection against corrosive environments. Other features of the NQ Core include an 11.
6-inch capacitive touch display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, multiple configurations of Intel’s Core i7 U-series processor, as well as up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSDs. Additionally, there are several IO ports, including two USB 3.
0 ports, one RJ45 for Gigabit Ethernet, an RJ45 for serial port, one DVI-I, one HDMI, and two audio ports for microphone and speakers.
What diameter is PQ core?
The diameter of a PQ core (which stands for Power Quality) is generally less than 0.15 inches and typically around 0.12 inches. However, the exact diameter of the core can vary depending upon the specific power quality application for which it is being used.
Additionally, the size and diameter of the core can also be adjusted to suit different applications and be customized for specialized power quality requirements.
How much does a NQ drill rod weight?
The exact weight of a NQ drill rod will vary depending on the exact make and model of the rod, as well as the material it is made of. Generally, most NQ drill rods are made of high-grade carbon steel and will weigh around 30 – 35 pounds.
The outer diameter of the rod is around 1.6 inches and the length can range from 39 to 62 inches, depending on the make and model of the rod. The exact weight of a NQ drill rod will be clearly labeled on the rod itself, or in an accompanying manual or specification sheet.
What is the difference between RC and diamond drilling?
RC (Reverse Circulation) and diamond drilling are both drilling methods used to drill down into the Earth’s surface. The primary difference is the tool used to break up the material when drilling. RC utilizes a dual walled drill pipe, with a gas (usually Air or Nitrogen) driven hammer on the inside to both break up the material and create a vacuum which carries the material up to the surface.
Diamond drilling is a rotary drilling technique which utilizes diamond encrusted drill bits to cut and remove material.
Another difference is that diamond drilling is slower than RC drilling and therefore can be more expensive. RC drilling is generally quicker and more efficient because the dual-walled pipes ensure that the air keeps breaking up the material in the same spot; whereas diamond drilling requires the drill bit to continually break up new material in order to progress.
The other difference between RC and diamond drilling is that RC drilling can go deeper than diamond drilling. Diamond drills can generally only reach depths of 300-500 meters, whereas RC drilling can go up to 1000 meters.
This is especially advantageous for deeper mining operations where large amounts of material need to be removed quickly.
Overall, RC and diamond drilling are two very different techniques; but both provide a useful role in the mining industry to efficiently and safely reach the depths required.
How deep can a diamond drill go?
The depth that a diamond drill can reach depends on the size and quality of the drill bit and the type of material that is being drilled into. Generally speaking, diamond drill bits are designed to be much sturdier than regular drill bits and thus can go through much harder materials.
Generally speaking, as long as the material being drilled is not especially soft, such as concrete or stone, a good quality and correctly sized diamond drill bit can reach depths of up to two and a half inches.
However, when drilling softer materials, the depth a diamond drill bit can reach may be limited. Additionally, the sharper and of a better quality the diamond drill bit is, the deeper it can go.
Are diamond drill bits actually diamond?
No, diamond drill bits are not actually made of diamond. They do, however, incorporate diamonds in the manufacturing process. Diamond drill bits use a combination of hard metal and diamonds to create a cutting edge that is more durable than a normal drill bit.
The metal is usually made up of metals like cobalt, tungsten, and iron, with small diamonds embedded within it. The abrasive properties of the diamonds help to make the drill bit sharper and more effective at cutting through hard materials, such as tile, masonry, and granite.
Diamond drill bits are also much more durable and can last longer than a regular drill bit.
How long should a diamond bit last?
The longevity of a diamond bit can vary greatly depending on the type of bit and the surface it is working on. Generally, diamond bits are expected to be able to withstand high temperatures and are designed to last for hundreds of hours of use.
However, if a specific diamond bit is used for grinding on hard surfaces, such as concrete, it can quickly become worn and will have to be replaced more often. Additionally, if the diamond bit is used with high speeds and feeds, it can cut down on the effective life of the bit.
On average, a diamond bit can last between three to five hours if the bit is used on medium-hard materials such as granite, marble, and porcelain, and at low speeds and feeds. When used on softer materials, such as sandstone or limestone, a diamond bit can last much longer — up to twenty hours or more.
For tougher jobs, such as grinding concrete, the life of a diamond bit will be much lower and will need to be replaced more frequently.
Will a diamond core bit cut wood?
No, a diamond core bit will not cut wood. Diamond core bits are designed for drilling hard, non-metallic materials like tile, stone, and concrete. They are not designed to cut through softer materials like wood and plastic.
A wood spade bit or a Forstner bit is better suited for drilling into wood.
How long does diamond core drilling take?
The amount of time it takes to complete a diamond core drilling project will vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the size and complexity of the project, the drilling environment, and the ground conditions.
Generally, a diamond core drilling project can take anywhere from a few days, to several months in larger projects. Additionally, after core drilling is complete, a period of analysis, logging and evaluation of the core samples typically follows.
Depending on the volume of core recovery and the complexity of the project, the analysis can take anywhere from several weeks, to several months.
How do you use a core barrel?
Using a core barrel is typically the first step in core sample gathering. Core samples are used in various industries including but not limited to mining and archaeology. The core barrel is made up of concentric tubes and is used to cut and remove cylindrical sections of solid material such as soil or sediment.
The core barrel is attached to a drill string, the drill is then activated, it penetrates the material and a piston core cutter removes a cylinder sample.
The drilling process is highly variable and largely dependent on the purpose. For geological or geological engineering purposes, the drilling often takes place in situ and requires generating a deep hole.
The drill string fits together like a tube, with the core barrel at the bottom. Each part of the drill string is fitted with different parts for stability, the core barrel with a revolved sample cutter for cutting, a stabilizer and shoe for guidance, a top-tool with a sampling chamber and a purpose built bit for borehole cutting.
Once the drilling is complete and the core is removed, the core barrel is lifted out, the core is examined, cataloged and either stored as is or stored in a special core box depending on purpose. Furthermore, the core samples will be tested for further analysis.
Some of the most beneficial uses for core sample gathering is for geochemical matrices or to determine soil or sediment composition in the case of archaeological or construction investigations.