Design and performance of the Hotrod melt-tip ice-drilling system

Abstract ∼ 35  % with a theoretical maximum penetration rate of ∼ 12  m h - 1 at maximum 6.0 kW power. In contrast, ice-sheet testing suggests the melt tip has an analogous heat transfer efficiency of ∼ 15  % with a theoretical maximum penetration rate of ∼ 6  m h - 1. We expect the efficiency gap between laboratory and field performance to decrease with increasing operator experience. Umbilical freeze-in due to borehole refreezing is the primary depth-limiting factor of the drilling system. Enthalpy-based borehole refreezing assessments predict refreezing below critical umbilical diameter in ∼ 4  h at - ∘ C ice temperatures and ∼ 20  h at - ∘ C. This corresponds to a theoretical depth limit of up to ∼ 200  m, depending on firn thickness, ice temperature, and operator experience.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Design and performance of the Hotrod melt-tip ice-drilling system ; volume:12 ; number:2 ; year:2023 ; pages:121-140 ; extent:20 ; Geoscientific instrumentation, methods and data systems ; 12, Heft 2 (2023), 121-140 (gesamt 20)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Colgan, William ; Shields, Christopher ; Talalay, Pavel G. ; Fan, Xiaopeng ; Lines, Austin P. ; Elliott, Joshua ; Rajaram, Harihar ; Mankoff, Kenneth ; Jensen, Morten ; Backes, Mira ; Liu, Yunchen ; Wei, Xianzhe ; Karlsson, Nanna B. ; Spanggård, Henrik ; Pedersen, Allan Ø.

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/gi-12-121-2023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023072004325817728559
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:50 AM CEST