Patent ID: 8257147
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: B24C,E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of cutting or drilling comprising the steps of: providing an abrasive-laden primarily liquid or high density supercritical fluid under predetermined pressure and temperature, wherein said abrasive-laden primarily liquid or high density supercritical fluid comprises a suspension of said abrasive particles in said abrasive-laden primarily liquid or high density supercritical fluid; delivering said abrasive-laden primarily liquid or high density supercritical fluid to a nozzle; increasing velocity of said abrasive-laden primarily liquid or high density supercritical fluid as it passes through a flow-restriction in said nozzle; beginning expansion of said primarily liquid or high density supercritical fluid into its gaseous or low-density state as it passes through said nozzle; transferring kinetic energy from said expanding fluid to said abrasive particles to accelerate velocity of said particles; and discharging a gas-carrying or low-density supercritical-fluid-carrying abrasive jet stream containing abrasive particles from said nozzle.