A new ice accretion model for aircraft icing based on phase-field method

Abstract

Aircraft icing presents a serious threat to the aerodynamic performance and safety of aircraft. The numerical simulation method for the accurate prediction of icing shape is an important method to evaluate icing hazards and develop aircraft icing protection systems. Referring to the phase-field method, a new ice accretion mathematical model is developed to predict the ice shape. The mass fraction of ice in the mixture is selected as the phase parameter, and the phase equation is established with a freezing coefficient. Meanwhile, the mixture thickness and temperature are determined by combining mass conservation and energy balance. Ice accretions are simulated under typical ice conditions, including rime ice, glaze ice and mixed ice, and the ice shape and its characteristics are analyzed and compared with those provided by experiments and LEWICE. The results show that the phase-field ice accretion model can predict the ice shape under different icing conditions, especially reflecting some main characteristics of glaze ice.