An experimental study of water droplets deformation and collision with airfoil

Abstract

When aircraft pass through the clouds that contain super cooled water droplets during aviation, the droplets collide with the wing surface and ice is formed, which induces a significant threat to aviation safety. Studies on droplet movement in gaseous medium are prerequisite for deicing/anti-icing researches. So, in this work, an experimental study is performed on water droplet deformation as the droplets approach the leading edge of an airfoil. This experiment is carried out in a vertical wind tunnel, with a NACA0012 airfoil model assembled 4.3 m downstream of the droplet generator. The influence of Weber number (ranging from 0.2 to 36) on the deformation of a 2 mm diameter droplet is thoroughly investigated. The results indicate that droplets maintain initial form with Weber number under 10; after that droplet deforms into remarkable bag deformation as Weber number reaches to 19, and bag-stamen deformation mode as Weber number is above 20. This observed correlation between Weber number and deformation mode is validated through comparing with published simulation results. Furthermore, using the high-speed camera, clear images of the droplet structure during the deformation process are taken and are shown in detail in this work.