Key Points of Winter Construction for Rotary Drilling Rigs: Low-Temperature Startup And Anti-Freeze Protection Measures

    Low-temperature winter environments can easily lead to problems such as difficulty starting rotary drilling rigs, hydraulic system failures, and frozen pipe cracking, which directly affect construction efficiency and equipment lifespan. To ensure safe and smooth winter construction, targeted measures must be taken for three core tasks: low-temperature starting protection, hydraulic oil protection, and pipe freeze prevention. These measures should balance practicality and safety to mitigate the adverse effects of low temperatures on equipment.

    Low-temperature starting protection is the primary prerequisite for winter construction. Low temperatures reduce fuel fluidity and increase engine oil viscosity, leading to increased starting resistance and even damage to the starter motor. Before construction, fuel suitable for low-temperature environments should be selected. Typically, -10# or -20# diesel is used when the ambient temperature is below -10°C, and -35# diesel can be used in extremely cold regions to prevent fuel waxing and blockage of fuel lines. Before starting, the equipment should be preheated. This can be done using a preheating device to preheat the engine cylinder block and fuel lines. The preheating time should be controlled between 5 to 10 minutes, and the engine should only be started after the engine oil temperature and water temperature have risen to an appropriate range. Avoid prolonged continuous cranking to prevent overload damage to the starter motor. After starting, the engine should idle for 3 to 5 minutes to allow full lubrication of all components before gradually resuming operations.

    Hydraulic oil protection is the key to stable operation of equipment. Low temperatures in winter can significantly increase the viscosity of hydraulic oil, deteriorate its fluidity, lead to increased pressure and delayed response in hydraulic systems, and even cause problems such as leakage and component wear. Low temperature hydraulic oil suitable for winter needs to be replaced, and products with viscosity grades suitable for low-temperature environments should be preferred to ensure good lubrication and flowability at low temperatures. At the same time, regularly check the hydraulic oil level and purity, promptly replenish or replace deteriorated hydraulic oil, clean the hydraulic oil filter element, and avoid impurities blocking the oil circuit; After the homework is completed, the residual gas in the hydraulic system should be discharged to prevent the gas from freezing in the pipeline and affecting the next day's start-up.

    Pipeline antifreeze needs to be fully covered to eliminate the risk of freezing and cracking. The hydraulic and water pipelines of rotary drilling rigs are prone to freezing and cracking due to residual liquid freezing and expansion in low-temperature environments, resulting in equipment failure. After completing daily assignments, it is necessary to thoroughly drain any residual liquid in the pipelines, including hydraulic pipelines, cooling water pipelines, fuel pipelines, etc., to ensure that there is no accumulation of fluid. For exposed pipelines, insulation cotton and insulation sleeves can be wrapped for protection, with a focus on wrapping weak parts such as joints and valves to reduce heat loss; Avoid parking the equipment in low-lying outdoor areas to prevent snow and ice from covering the pipeline. If the pipeline freezes, it is strictly prohibited to directly bake it with an open flame. Instead, it should be slowly thawed with warm water to prevent deformation and cracking of the pipeline.

    In addition, regular inspections of equipment seals and sealing rings are required for winter construction, and aging and damaged parts should be replaced in a timely manner to prevent leakage caused by low temperature leading to a decrease in sealing performance; Before daily homework, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the integrity of all pipelines and joints, and promptly deal with any damages or looseness found. Taking the above anti freezing measures can effectively reduce the wear and tear of rotary drilling rigs in low-temperature environments, ensure the smooth progress of winter construction, and balance construction efficiency and equipment service life.