Electrochaude: A Self-Flushing Hot-Water Drilling Apparatus for Glaciers With Debris

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Rado, Claude, Girard, Claude, Perrin, Jacky
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1987
• Subjects: Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000008741; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000008741

Abstract In order to avoid problems stemming from the accumulation of rock fragments at the bottom of the hole during conventional thermal drilling in ice, a new type of probe has been developed. In this system, the water is warmed electrically inside the probe itself and propelled by a micro-pump. In this way, the hot water sprayed towards the ice scatters the insulating layer of debris and drilling continues normally, as shown by tests on several glaciers over the past 4 years.