• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2013

The application of appropriate rehabilitation methods can improve the efficiency of clogged wells and extend their life. In this paper, we study the feasibility of well cleaning using high-voltage pulsed discharge, in which electrical energy is used to produce impulsive pressure in water, in contrast to conventional methods that employ chemical or pneumatic energy sources. This technique utilizes the compressive shock wave generated by the expansive force of hot, dense plasma that is produced during a pulsed discharge in the gap between electrodes immersed in water. Compared with conventional techniques, this method is simple, and easy to handle and control. Using a capacitive pulsed power system with an electrical energy of 200 J, an impulsive pressure of 10.7 MPa is achieved at the position 6 cm away from the discharge gap. The amplitude of the impulsive pressure was easily controlled by adjusting the charging voltage of the capacitor and was almost linearly proportional to peak discharge current. The technique achieved good results in cleaning feasibility tests with mock-up specimens similar to clogged well screens.