Numerical Simulation on Ice Shedding Phenomena in Turbomachinery

Abstract

In the jet engine, icing phenomena occur primarily on the fan blades, the FEGVs (fan exit guide vanes), the splitter, and the low-pressure compressor. Accreted ice disturbs the inlet flow and causes large energy losses. In addition, ice accreted on a fan rotor can be shed from the blade surface due to centrifugal force and can damage compressor components. This phenomenon, which is typical in turbomachinery, is referred to as ice shedding. Although existing icing models can simulate ice growth, these models do not have the capability to reproduce ice shedding. In the present study, we develop an icing model that takes into account both ice growth and ice shedding. Furthermore, we have validated the proposed ice shedding model through the comparison of numerical results and experimental data, which include the flow rate loss due to ice growth and the flow rate recovery due to ice shedding. The simulation results for the time at which ice shedding occurred and what were obtained using the proposed ice shedding model were in good agreement with the experimental results.