Investigation of Microstructure and Density of Atmospheric Ice Formed by High-Wind-Speed In-Cloud Icing

Abstract

In-cloud icing occurred on cables, wind turbines, and aircraft wings and may cause power transmission paralysis, energy dissipation, and unsafe flight. The study of atmospheric ice is crucial to facilitate the development of in-cloud icing prediction/detection and anti-/de-icing systems. Herein, atmospheric ice formed by high-wind-speed, in-cloud icing was obtained and reserved during icing tests in the 3 m × 2 m icing wind tunnel located at CARDC. Microstructures of atmospheric ice formed by high-wind-speed, in-cloud icing were observed and analysed using the microscopic observation method. A better description was established to explore the influence of the icing environment on ice microstructures, such as the size and shape of air bubbles and the boundaries of ice grains. Furthermore, an accurate density measurement was developed to allow a better practical density expression to consider the characteristics of the impacted surface and the effect of the flow field.