Simulation of Freezing and Frozen Precipitation for the Evaluation of De/anti-icing Systems

Document Number: 2007-01-3318

Date Published: September 2007

Author(s):
Arlene Beisswenger - Anti-Icing Materials Intl. Laboratory
Xiaofei Wang - Anti-Icing Materials Intl. Laboratory
Jean-Louis Laforte - Anti-Icing Materials Intl. Laboratory
Jean Perron - Anti-Icing Materials Intl. Laboratory

Abstract:
Simulating freezing and frozen precipitation in an indoor laboratory setting can permit year-round evaluation of de/anti-icing systems and fluids. At AMIL, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, icing fog and in-cloud icing as well as frost, snow, ice pellets and icing clouds can be simulated in a variety of cold chambers of different heights and with different wind conditions using specialized spraying systems and temperature set-ups. Freezing rain is simulated using a 9 m high vertical chamber capable of supercooling water droplets from 100 to 1000 \gmm, so they freeze not long after impact. The freezing drizzle is simulated in a 4 m high chamber where supercooled droplets from 50 to 250 \gmm freeze on impact. Icing fog and in-cloud icing are simulated with the help of a pneumatic spray nozzle system which allows for a finer water spray, in the 20 \gmm diameter range. The frost is simulated by saturating a cold room with humidity generated from a heated, temperature-controlled water bath. Snow is simulated with a fine pneumatic water spray which forms a soft rime simulating the effect of natural snow. Ice pellets are made in the 9 m high vertical cold chamber using strong turbulent wind that increases the air residency and convective air cooling of water droplets so they freeze before impact. Finally, icing wind tunnels allow for the simulation of an object iced through a passing supercooled cloud. For all simulations, humidity can be controlled by using a heated water bath to increase it, or by using an independent refrigeration unit or molecular sieves to decrease it. This paper reviews the various simulated precipitation obtained at AMIL.

File Size: 669K
Product Status: In Stock

See other papers presented at 2007 SAE Aircraft and Engine Icing International Conference, September 2007, Seville, SPAIN, Session: In-situ Measurements of Icing Conditions: Tools, Systems and Instrumentation

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