Simplified modeling of ice formation over airfoils

Scopus Article

en

Ice accretion on wind turbine blades in cold climates poses significant challenges to aerodynamic performance and operational reliability. This study presents a computationally efficient framework for predicting rime ice formation, combining potential flow panel methods with Lagrangian droplet tracking. The model is validated against experimental data from the Ice Prediction Workshop and benchmarked against FENSAP-ICE simulations. Key findings demonstrate strong agreement in velocity fields (especially near the leading edge region) and collection efficiency and ice thickness predictions, with two-way coupling improving the estimation of the ice thickness. For rime ice, the simplified model achieves superior agreement with experimental data compared to FENSAP-ICE simulations, particularly when implementing geometry updates every 300-600 seconds, enabling a two-way coupling. Glaze ice evaluations reveal limitations in neglecting liquid film dynamics, though the model still outperforms conventional methods. The proposed methodology reduces computational costs of at least one order of magnitude compared to full three-dimensional Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes simulations while maintaining predictive accuracy for critical ice-prone regions. Results underscore the viability of hybrid potential flow/Lagrangian methods for real-time icing predictions, with future extensions targeting phase-change thermodynamics for enhanced glaze ice modeling.

flow, deicing, simplified models

2025-07-21

Physics of fluids

37

1–17

17