Apparatus and method to cause fatigue failure of subterranean formations

摘要

An improved sonic wave generating device and method transmits variable wave energy to a fluid medium that is transmitted to objects such as subsurface petroliforous formations to be treated. Reverberative pressures and wave energy are reduced by improvements to and from a positive pressure supplied feed pump which pumps the medium to the primary wave generating pump(s) includes means to maintain an increased hydrostatic or positive head to the suction inlet of the feed pump which prevents or neutralizes feed back energy waves from the wave generating device to the feed pump, along with a check valve located at the inlet to the primary pump(s) and a buffer system of conduits located between and in the outlet from the feed pump and the check valve to prevent and dampen recoiling energy waves produced by the pumps and augmenting cavitation valve system. Such apparatus and methods delivers kinetic energy resulting in stress against and into the interstices of the formation to produce virtual work strain and deformation, followed by periodic relief of the stress, thus releasing the potential energy of and within the formation to produce fatigue failure thereof.