Three-Dimensional Modelling and Simulation of the Ice Accretion Process on Aircraft Wings

In this article, a new computational method for the three-dimensional (3D) ice accretion analysis on an aircraft wing is formulated and validated. The two-phase flow field is calculated based on Eulerian-Eulerian approach using standard dispersed turbulence model and second order upwind differencing with the aid of commercial software Fluent, and the corresponding local droplet collection efficiency, convective heat transfer coefficient, freezing fraction and surface temperature are obtained. The classical Messinger model is modified to be capable of describing 3D thermodynamic characteristics of ice accretion. Considering effects of runback water, which is along chordwise and spanwise direction, an extended Messinger method is employed for the prediction of the 3D ice accretion rates. Validation of the newly developed model is carried out through comparisons with available experimental ice shape and LEWICE codes over a GLC-305 wing under both rime and glaze icing conditions. Results show that good agreement is achieved between the current computational ice shapes and the compared results. Further calculations based on the proposed method over a M6 wing under different test conditions are numerically demonstrated.