Abstract
AbstractIn this paper, we present an electric-thermal drill with a novel design of a melting head that was developed within the EnEx-RANGE project. The design combines a short melting head with a large surface area of parabolic shape. It was succesfully tested in the laboratory as well as on Alpine glaciers (Langenferner and Mittelbergferner) and at the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. In all these different environments, a high melting speed per specific power of typically 8.8 cm3 w−1 h−1 is achieved that is close to the ideal maximum bound of ~10.5–11.8 cm3 w−1 h−1 when neglecting all heat losses. It has also been demonstrated that the melting probe can be operated with typical equipment of small-scale field camps including a small power generator.
Highlights
The access of interior regions of glaciers is of interest for many areas of research ranging from terrestrial glaciology to extraterrestrial applications, but it is technologically challenging
Each melting probe was equipped with acoustic instrumentation and a local intelligence for ice navigation. We report on this efficient melting probe (EMP) as a general device for glacial research
We focus on the design of this novel melting head which has been registered as a patent (Linder and others, 2018, 2019)
Summary
The access of interior regions of glaciers is of interest for many areas of research ranging from terrestrial glaciology to extraterrestrial applications, but it is technologically challenging. To minimize the time in the field and the logistic effort, a high melting speed and a high efficiency are crucial for any kind of drilling operations In this respect, the shape of the hot point or melting head plays an important role. The EnEx-RANGE project (Robust Acoustic autonomous Navigation in Glacial icE) focused on the positioning within this swarm of melting probes. Large radii of the melting probe result in large masses of the head This increases weight and material costs, and requires a more efficient heating. We present the melting speed performance of this EMP in its configuration within the EnEx-RANGE APU system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
