Melt Ice Quickly: Best Ways to Do It

[Anticitizen]

Q: Can solvents be added to the ice?
A: No, nothing can be added to change the chemical composition of the ice or that creates an endothermic or exothermic reaction. Clarification: in any part of the device, no substance that creates an endothermic or exothermic reaction is considered to be passive as it is stored chemical energy. Solvents include but are not limited to fertilizer, cat litter, sand, bleach, sugar.
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Q: Can we use additional water?
A: As long as it does not come in contact with the ice, ice/water mix. However, if you’d like, you may use the water from the melt.

Hmm... If you can only use additional water if it doesn't come in contact with the ice, can you use other chemicals if they don't come in contact with the ice?

 

[wysard]

12x12x14 isn't a very big box, and a foot of gravatic drop will add very little energy to a block of ice. Even one the size of a large Tim Horton's coffee. So...Hmmm...

Chemicals...out
Gravity... in, but not usefull
Smashing...in, but not usefull (will the ice break in a 9" drop? I think not.)
Melt water..in
New water..in, so long as it does not mix with melt.
Lenses...in.

Question: If I put the ice in a beaker, and I put the beaker in a box, can I pour boiling water into the box to heat the beaker, and by conduction the ice? Unknown, but bet no. Please clarify OP, 'cause that would be the best bet hands down.

Otherwise...

A Box Oven! Used to cook food in some areas of the world, but a 2 min. time limit means some serious mods...lol.

How about an insulated box say formed with poly or foam insulation in a box shape insulating an enclosed parabolic mirror (say aluminum foil for instance) focused on the bottom of the block. Make the lid a big lens focused on the top.

Basically trying to trap as much passive energy as possible inside the box with insulation, and focusing the energy as effectively as possible to create melt. (guessing the measure of melt decides the winner.)

 

[skywalker09]

Sodium or Phosphorus?

How about placing ice in a container with a false bottom and keeping either Sodium or Potassium in the bottom chamber?

Just add water!

 

[HK911]

Wysard, boiling water can't be used. Any additional water used must be at room temp.

 

[HK911]

Also, the lense was one of our ideas but the problem is the experiment is conducted indoors under fluorescent light. So do you think the light would give enough energy.

Another very simple idea was to place the ice in a zip lock bag and drop the bag into a beaker with water at room temperature. Any suggestions?

 

[HK911]

How about placing ice in a container with a false bottom and keeping either Sodium or Potassium in the bottom chamber?

Just add water!

No chemicals can be used at all.

 

[skywalker09]

You may just choose to keep the zip-loc bag under an open faucet. That does not violate any of the conditions.

Ok, you have got so many people hooked to this thread. Time to take stock of the situation. Think about what all you have at your disposal. So far you have the following you can use (with heat transfer mechanisms):

1. Light (radiation)
2. Pressure (thermodynamics)
3. Fluids (convection and conduction)
4. Air (convection and conduction)
5. Friction (energy conversion, increase in surface area)

Now, the task for you is to pick and combine them in the best possible manner.