Experience from Application of a 3D Ice Accretion Code 2003-01-2133

Results are presented from the application of the ICECREMO code to various geometries. ICECREMO is a 3D ice accretion model, based on a structured approach. It does not include a CFD solver and therefore may be used in combination with a range of CFD packages. The code consists of a Lagrangian particle tracking module, a splash and bounce module, a water film thickness and motion module, a heat transfer module, and a freezing module.

This paper aims to show the ability of the ICECREMO code to accurately predict droplet catch and ice accretion on components where the flow is highly 3D. The use of 2D icing analysis is widespread and has been shown, in certain cases, to prove reliable. However, in situations where the flow is highly 3D, such as with instances of geometrical double curvature, a 3D icing analysis is not only desirable, but necessary. This paper demonstrates the complexity of the flow by detailing the behaviour of the droplet trajectories up to several chord lengths upstream of the body. Four test cases are presented, together with a comparison to experimental data where possible. Experience gained from performing the analysis is highlighted to illustrate problems that may be encountered, and significant aspects of accretion physics.