Electroacoustic Analysis and Optimization of Needle-Rod Electrodes for Low-Power Impulse Sound Source

In acoustic deep detection technology, conventional monopole, dipole, and phased-array sound sources are far inferior to impulsive sound sources in frequency and amplitude. But impulse sound sources mostly work under high-power, high-voltage, and high-current conditions, which are difficult to be applied downhole. The purpose of this paper is to reduce the power of the impulse sound source system and at the same time to stimulate excellent impulse wave characteristics. Firstly, an experimental impulse sound source system using needle-rod electrodes was constructed, and the discharge experimental results were analysed. Secondly, a finite element model of the needle-rod electrodes of the impulse sound source was established based on the experimental conditions, and the effects of the charging voltage, electrode gap, and liquid conductivity on the power and electroacoustic parameters of the needle-rod electrodes system were investigated separately. Finally, the optimised electroacoustic parameters and curves of the needle-rod electrodes of the low-power impulse sound source were obtained. The results show that the charging voltage is the most significant parameter affecting the power of the needle-rod electrode system; a larger liquid conductivity and a suitable electrode gap are required for the optimal impulse wave parameters. The optimised low-power impulse sound source system with needle-bar electrodes with a power of 20.95 kW achieves an impulse wave intensity of 4.78 MPa, with a sound pressure level above 295 dB up to 1 kHz and above 225 dB from 1 kHz to 300 kHz. Optimised needle-rod electrodes for low-power impulse sound sources have the advantages of a wide bandwidth and high energy. This makes the downhole application of low-power impulse sound sources possible, which will play an important role in oil exploration and other drilling exploration fields.