A low resource subglacial bedrock sampler: The percussive rapid access isotope drill (P-RAID)

Timoney, Ryan; Worrall, Kevin; Firstbrook, David; Harkness, Patrick; Rix, Julius ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8048-9445; Ashurst, Daniel; Mulvaney, Robert ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5372-8148; Bentley, Michael J.. 2020 A low resource subglacial bedrock sampler: The percussive rapid access isotope drill (P-RAID). Cold Regions Science and Technology, 177, 103113. 11, pp. 10.1016/j.coldregions.2020.103113

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Abstract/Summary

The paleoclimate community has an interest in distributed subglacial bedrock sampling but, while capable drill systems do exist, they are often incompatible with Twin Otter logistics. To address this issue, a design built on the existing low footprint ice-sampler, the Rapid Access Isotope Drill (RAID) is investigated. The new device will retain key features of the parent system, but the ice drilling elements of the RAID will be replaced by a self-contained rotary-percussive core-drill capable of penetrating ice-consolidated and rocky terrain at and below the ice/rock interface. This new front-end will only be deployed once the interface itself has been attained, providing a pristine core sample from the underlying terrain. The proposed Percussive Rapid Access Isotope Drill (P-RAID) has been inspired by planetary drilling technologies to allow autonomous operations at the bottom of the hole. This paper details the development and testing of the proof-of-concept hardware. The mechanical and electrical design challenges encountered, and the results obtained from a series of prolonged cold chamber tests will be discussed, alongside lessons learned from initial testing in Antarctica.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.coldregions.2020.103113
ISSN:	0165232X
Additional Keywords:	Polar Drilling, Planetary Drilling, Paleoclimatology
Date made live:	08 Jun 2020 16:33 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/527896

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.coldregions.2020.103113

ISSN:

0165232X

Additional Keywords:

Polar Drilling, Planetary Drilling, Paleoclimatology

Date made live:

08 Jun 2020 16:33 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/527896