Rodwell #2 (the blue building) and Hazardous
Waste (the orange tent). Rodwell #2 was the operating Rodwell at the
time. Rodwells were designed by an engineer named Rodriguez when working
for the US military in Greenland in the 1950's.
The idea is to start with a little water
(melted snow or such), heat it up, then push it down into the ice to
melt the ice. The resulting water is returned to the surface, where
it is heated again and a portion sent back below to continue the process,
while the rest can be used. Over time, there is a big hollowed out hole
under the ice, and eventually it is no longer efficient to use that
well, so the rig is moved to another spot. Rodwell #2, and #3 under
construction, are intended to be partly mobile. For continuous service,
at least two buildings will be required. A Rodwell at the South Pole
can provide water for the station for about 7 years.
Nov 2007
