A reverse circulation drilling machine (RC) is a drilling device that uses compressed air to drive an impactor to break rocks and continuously return the cuttings to the surface through a double-walled drill pipe. Compared to traditional forward circulation drilling machines or diamond coring rigs, it offers 30%-60% faster drilling speeds and 25%-40% lower overall costs while maintaining sampling accuracy. It is currently the mainstay model in global mineral exploration, grade control, and geotechnical investigation.
In major mining countries such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil, RC drilling machines have become standard equipment for exploration companies. From gold exploration in the Pilbara region of Western Australia to copper mines in Queensland, from diamond mines in Africa to lithium projects in South America, reverse circulation drilling machines are rapidly replacing traditional drilling methods and becoming synonymous with high-efficiency exploration. Want to learn more about our products and information? Contact us now.
YG Hot-sale Reverse Circulation Drilling Equipment Technical Parameter
|
Model |
YG-300 |
YG-400 |
YG-500 |
YG-600 |
|
Weight (Ton) |
8.2 |
8.6 |
10.6 |
12.5 |
|
Drilling Diameter (mm) |
105-305 |
105-325 |
105-400 |
105-400 |
|
Drilling Depth (m) |
330 |
400 |
500 |
600 |
|
Walking Speed (Km/h) |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Climbing Angles (°) |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
Dimension (m) |
6.32*1.7*2.39 |
6.25*1.7*2.39 |
6.52*1.85*2.51 |
6.73*2.1*2.63 |
What Practical Benefits Does Purchasing a Reverse Circulation Drilling Rig Bring You?
Cost Savings: Overall cost is 40% lower than diamond drilling
While diamond coring rigs offer the highest sample quality, they are expensive, slow, and have high consumable costs. RC drilling rigs cost approximately 60%-70% of diamond drilling. In the preliminary survey, detailed survey, and grade control stages, RC drilling rigs can fully meet accuracy requirements, significantly reducing exploration costs.
01
Time Savings: Project cycle is halved
For the same drilling volume, RC drilling rigs can save 30%-50% of the time. For exploration projects with tight deadlines, completing the project ahead of time means obtaining ore body data earlier and making investment decisions faster.
02
Convenience: One machine handles the entire process
YG provides a complete equipment solution including a drilling rig and an air compressor, eliminating the need for users to match and debug. From selection consultation to installation, commissioning, and after-sales maintenance, this one-stop service eliminates the need for buyers to coordinate between different suppliers.
03
Convenient: Simple maintenance, low failure rate
Modular design reduces complex transmission components; routine maintenance mainly involves changing the oil, filter, and lubricant. The YG drilling rig has a mean time between failures (MTBF) exceeding 500 hours, and maintenance intervals are 10 times that of ordinary drilling rigs.
04
How Does a Reverse Circulation Drilling Rig Work?
Step 1: Compressed air drives the impactor.
High-pressure compressed air generated by an air compressor is delivered to the bottom of the well through the annular space between the inner and outer tubes of the double-walled drill pipe, driving the RC impactor (down-the-hole hammer) to perform high-frequency reciprocating impact motion, breaking the rock against the drill bit.
Step 2: Rock cuttings rise with the airflow.
Under the action of the high-pressure airflow, the broken rock cuttings enter the inner tube of the double-walled drill pipe through the central hole of the drill bit, mixing with the airflow to form a gas-solid two-phase flow, continuously transported to the surface at a speed of 15-33 m/s. This is the origin of the name "reverse circulation"-rock cuttings rise through the inner tube, exactly the opposite of forward circulation (rock cuttings are discharged from between the drill pipe and the borehole wall).
Step 3: Cyclone separation collects samples.
After reaching the surface, the airflow carrying rock cuttings enters the cyclone separator. Under the action of centrifugal force, the rock cuttings are thrown against the cylinder wall and fall downwards into the sample collection bag, while air and fine dust are discharged from the top (after dust removal filtration). The entire sampling process is continuous, closed, and pollution-free.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reverse Circulation Drilling Rigs
01. What types of formations and projects are suitable for reverse circulation drilling rigs?
02. Do I need to purchase an air compressor at the same time? Is it okay to just buy the drilling rig?
03. Do you provide installation and training after the equipment arrives?
04. What is the after-sales response time if there is a problem with the equipment?
05. Can you provide selection advice suitable for my project?
06. How long does it typically take from order placement to shipment?
