Influence of mineral composition on thermal equilibrium state during laser perforation

Abstract

Energy consumption during laser rock perforation is controlled by conductive losses and latent heats during the phase transitions of melting and evaporation. To understand then improve the efficiency of laser perforation, the influence of rock mineral composition on these processes is investigated, and a theoretical model of laser rock breaking under steady-state heat conduction is developed. The findings reveal that the melting properties of mineral components primarily control thermal equilibrium during laser perforation. The key minerals, namely feldspar, quartz, and clay, were used to study the melt response in both pure samples and synthetic rock composites composed of these minerals. When feldspar is dominant, the thermal equilibrium temperature remains stable after reaching the feldspar gas phase boundary. While in situations where quartz dominates, the thermal equilibrium temperature is slightly below the melting point of pure quartz. The findings highlight the relationship between laser rock perforation efficiency and melting properties of minerals.