Design considerations and solutions in rapid-prototyping an ultraviolet reactor for ice borehole disinfection

Keen, P.; Brito, M.. 2014 Design considerations and solutions in rapid-prototyping an ultraviolet reactor for ice borehole disinfection. Annals of Glaciology, 55 (65). 74-82. 10.3189/2014AoG65A006

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview	Text Copyright © 2014 International Glaciological Society. This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Annals of Glaciology. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available online at: doi 10.3189/2014AoG65A006. Brito_AnnalsGlaciology_preprint_2014.pdf - Submitted Version Download (246kB) | Preview
	Text (NORA staff only pending copyright statement) s8.pdf - Published Version Restricted to NORA staff only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract/Summary

Antarctic subglacial lakes are of great interest to the science community. These systems are considered to be in pristine condition, potentially harbouring an environment containing undisturbed sedimentary sequences and ecosystems adapted to cold oligotrophic environments in the absence of sunlight. Gaining access to subglacial lakes presents major technological challenges. To comply with conventions covering the exploration of pristine Antarctic environments, access should be conducted so the lake is not contaminated in any way. Consequently, all equipment to enter the lake must be sterile and the entrance should isolate the lake from the external environment. Currently, clean access to these environments is achieved using a hot-water drilling system. Differences between the hydraulic pressure head of the lake and the glacial surface result in a section of the borehole being air-filled. It is imperative that this section is disinfected prior to introducing any sampling equipment. This paper describes the design process involved in rapid-prototyping an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection reactor for achieving this goal. Considerations such as UV output, physical constraints, temperature management, and deployment procedures are assessed. We present a design that addresses these considerations.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.3189/2014AoG65A006
ISSN:	0260-3055
Additional Keywords:	Antarctic glaciology, glaciological instruments and methods, ice biology, subglacial lakes
Date made live:	04 Apr 2014 09:25 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504432

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...