Numerical Investigation of Ice Formation on a Wing with Leading-Edge Tubercles

Abstract

This work numerically investigates the influence of sinusoidal leading-edge characteristics, often described as wavy leading-edge wings or wings with tubercles, on aircraft icing. Initially, the flow prediction of clean wavy wings is compared to experimental data for model validation. A series of test cases based on the experimental geometry is subsequently established with varying wave amplitudes and lengths. The icing assessment is conducted numerically using the three-dimensional PoliMIce ice accretion toolkit. Firstly, the influence of the three-dimensional flow behavior on the collection efficiency is evaluated. The simulations demonstrate that wavy leading edges with shorter wave lengths and higher wave amplitudes increase the localized impingement of super-cooled water droplets during impact. Secondly, the influence of the wavy leading-edge profile on the ice shapes is assessed for both the rime and glaze ice regime. The results show that the maximum ice thickness is in the vicinity of the wave peaks and troughs; meanwhile, the midsections of the waves have significantly lower levels of ice accretion. The future perspective of this work is to assess the potential for improving the efficiency of anti-icing and de-icing systems using wavy leading edges.