Abstract
The British Antarctic Survey has developed a hot-water drilling system used chiefly for installing temperature sensors through ice shelves and for retrieving oceanographic equipment tethered through thick fast ice. The specification, design and operation of the drill for these two activities will be discussed and practical field problems will be highlighted. A novel aspect of the design is the use of reaming nozzles to enlarge a pilot hole. These nozzles eject water upwards along the surface of the nozzle cone, and drill most efficiently when they hang free and unsupported by the sides of the pilot hole. The nozzles incorporate a nozzle-mounted valve, activated when the nozzle cone contacts the ice, thus increasing the back pressure of the water flow. The pressure increase is monitored at the surface and the winch speed is reduced accordingly in order to ensure an efficient drilling operation.
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.
