How to Choose A Roller Reamer?

Horizontal directional drilling utilizes surface-mounted equipment to create an initial pilot hole at a relatively small angle of entry into the ground. This pilot hole is then gradually enlarged, allowing for the direct pull-back installation of pipelines or cables through the borehole. The process typically involves three stages: pilot boring, reaming, and pull-back.
Pilot Boring: Using guidance instruments and specialized drilling tools, a smooth trajectory pilot hole is created. Subsequent reaming and pull-back operations follow this pilot hole.
Reaming: Roller reamers are used to progressively enlarge the pilot hole until it meets the requirements for pipeline pull-back. Typically, the borehole is expanded to 1.2-1.5 times the pipeline's outer diameter. Reaming can be performed in forward or backward directions, with backward reaming (where the reamer moves towards the drilling rig while enlarging the hole) being the more common method.
Pull-back: After reaming is complete, the drilling rig connects the pipeline through a series of drill pipes, reamer, and swivel. The pipeline is then pulled back until it reaches the rig side, completing the installation.

Selecting the appropriate roller reamer based on soil conditions is imperative for enhancing operational efficiency. Reamer designs vary based on geological formations, with the main types being compaction reamers, fluid course reamers, cutting reamers, and rock reamers.
1. Compaction reamers enlarge the hole by compressing the surrounding soil and are commonly used in soft soil conditions.
2. Fluid course reamers combine soil compression with some cutting and spoil removal capabilities, making them versatile for use in most soil types.
3. Cutting reamers enlarge the hole through soil excavation, offering excellent spoil removal. They are particularly suitable for dense sandy soils.
4. Rock reamers can be further divided into roller reamers and roller disc reamers. Roller reamers come in steel tooth and tungsten carbide insert varieties.
Typically, steel tooth reamers are used for soft rock and hard soil formations, while tungsten carbide insert reamers are primarily used for hard rock drilling. Roller disc reamers are mainly employed for high-hardness rock formations or long-distance rock reaming operations.

1. During reaming, enhance communication between the machine operator and the crew handling drill pipe connections at the exit point. This prevents potential injuries caused by unexpected drill pipe rotation during connections. For safety, it's recommended to use a swivel to connect the reamer to the drill pipe.
2. Adequate drilling fluid must be pumped into the borehole during reaming. The circulating fluid helps remove drill cuttings from the hole, maintaining borehole cleanliness. This is crucial for the successful pull-back of the pipeline.

3. During multi-stage reaming, if abnormal phenomena such as excessive torque or pulling force are observed, it may be necessary to perform hole cleaning operations after completing the current reaming stage. This ensures the safety of subsequent reaming operations, especially in rock formations.
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