ABSTRACTRadial jet drilling is an effective technology for mining coal‐bed methane. A self‐propelled jet bit greatly affects drilling efficiency. Simulations and laboratory experiments using a coaxial straight‐swirling mixed jet (CSMJ) were performed to study the flow field and rock erosion characteristics, and analyze laws influencing key structural parameters (straight‐swirling flow ratio N, slot length–width ratio dr/ds, mixing chamber length–diameter ratio Lq/Dq, and linear segment length–diameter ratio Lf/df) on the flow field and rock erosion characteristics, and study the change law of the axial velocity of the flow field under different structural parameters and the distribution law of the three‐dimensional velocity along the radial direction at the non‐dimensional injection distance of 5.56. The CSMJ displayed characteristics of a straight jet, having a high‐velocity area near the axis. The velocity was attenuated with increasing dimensionless jet distance Ls/df. The bit also displayed characteristics of a swirling jet, with an obvious jet diffusion with increased Ls/df. N affected the distribution ratio of the straight and swirling jets, and dr/ds mainly affected CSMJ rotational shear energy. With the centerline velocity and radial distribution of the CSMJ as evaluation indices, the optimal parameters of the CSMJ suitable for self‐propelled drilling were N = 0.46, dr/ds = 3.88, Lq/Dq = 0.67, and Lf/df = 0.56. Optimal flow field parameters also optimized the erosion capability, realizing the mutual verification of experimental and simulation results. The erosion hole crushing volume was used as the evaluation sequence. The parameter's sensitivity to the rock erosion volume was Ls/df > Lq/Dq > dr/ds > N. The results provide engineering guidance for determining reasonable parameters for radial jet drilling.
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