A Kelly tube is mining equipment used to extract fluid or semi-fluid resources, such as petroleum and natural gas. It allows the drill string to be raised and lowered while pumping drilling fluid through it. The tube is large bore, made of resistant material, and connects the standpipe to the swivel. Drilling fluid is critical to operations as it cools the tip, cleans the bit, and carries away debris. The tube is named after the mechanical piece that expels drilling fluid above the drill string and may need repair or replacement if it fails.
A Kelly tube is a piece of mining equipment. Specifically, it refers to equipment used in the extraction of fluid or semi-fluid resources, such as petroleum and natural gas. The primary purpose of a kelly pipe is to allow the drill string to be raised and lowered at the same time that drilling fluid is pumped through it. This is important, as drilling fluid is critical to the mining process.
In most cases, a kelly pipe is classified as a large bore pipe. This means that the inside diameter is usually between 3 and 5 inches (about 7.6cm and 12.7cm). This large diameter allows for a significant flow rate and reduces the likelihood of a blockage in the pipe.
The kelly tube must also be able to handle large amounts of pressure. This mainly applies to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the pipe. For this reason it is often made of very resistant material and is usually reinforced with steel.
In a derrick or rig, the Kelly hose connects the standpipe, which is the rigid metal shaft that supplies the mining fluid, to the swivel, which is the piece that supports the weight and controls rotation of the drill string. Its purpose is to provide a flexible conduit for the drilling fluid, as a rigid conduit would not be able to move with the swivel and therefore would not allow movement of the drill string and, subsequently, the bit.
Drilling fluid, sometimes called drilling mud, carried by a kelly tube is critical to operations in several ways. Keeps the tip cool, which helps reduce friction and failure. It also cleans the bit and carries away the bits of drill bits so they can’t damage the drill assembly. Some varieties are used for additional purposes, such as preventing corrosion and providing hydrostatic pressure. Drilling fluid is not necessarily fluid, but can, in fact, be a solid, liquid, gaseous or combined form.
The kelly pipe is so named because of its connection to the kelly, the actual mechanical piece that expels drilling fluid above the drill string. It can alternatively be called a mud pipe or a rotary pipe. Failure may occur, despite the robust construction of the pipe. Such a failure may cause damage to the equipment or failure to operate. Failed Kelly tubes must be repaired or replaced before mining operations can resume safely and effectively.
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