Ice Distribution Characteristics on the DU25 and NACA63-215 Airfoil Surfaces of Wind Turbines as Affected by Ambient Temperature and Angle of Attack

Abstract

Icing on wind turbines reduces power generation efficiency and leads to safety issues. Consequently, in this paper, ice distribution characteristics on DU25 and NACA63-215 airfoils at ambient temperatures and angles of attack are explored VIA numerical simulation. The findings indicate that when the ambient temperature changes in the range of 248–268 K, the ice distribution range on the upper surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–3.07 mm) is wider than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–1.91 mm), while the ice distribution range on the lower surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–12.13 mm) is narrower than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–15.18 mm) due to the discrepancy in droplet collection efficiency and droplet freezing rate caused by airfoil structure and ambient temperature, respectively. At an angle of attack of 0°, the ice distribution range on the upper surface of the DU25 airfoil is almost the same as that of the NACA63-215 airfoil. At an angle of attack of 8°, the ice distribution range on the upper surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–1.05 mm) is broader than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–0.675 mm), whereas the ice distribution range on the lower surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–17 mm) is narrower than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–20 mm) due to the discrepancy in droplet collection efficiency caused by droplet flow trajectory. The angle of attack has a much greater effect on the peak ice thickness than ambient temperature. This study will provide guidance for the anti-icing coating design of wind turbine blades.