Bench Glacier Project

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The University of Wyoming hot water drill was modified for this project so

that it could be transported on three sleds. The entire system is easily moved

hauled short distances by hand or long distances by snow machine and can

be set-up or broken down in about 30 min.

Drill tower.	All drilling is done in late Spring when the entire glacier is snow covered. This way, the drill can easily moved and crevasses are well bridged. The consequence of drilling in Spring is that there is no water available of the surface of the glacier. Therefore, the drilling system includes a snow melting system to generate drilling water. Note: human not to scale (he is almost 7 feet tall!)
Melting water.	Fuel: all generators, heaters and pumps are diesel fired. Drilling speed: 70-80 m per hour. Hot water: 4.2 gal/min @ 180 F. Drill tower: mechanically driven and automatic. Crew: 3 to set-up or break-down; 0 to drill a hole!
Drill site.
Borehole frozen shut at glacier surface.	Boreholes typically freeze shut since they are water filled and ice near the surface is cold. Holes stay open for a period of days to weeks.