|
|
|
| Study on the Effect of Heating Plate Material Layer Properties Based on NACA0012 Airfoil Leading Edge Electrothermal De-Icing |
| Zhou Hui1, Jin Jiayi1, Guan Yusong1, Hu Qin2, Huang Yafei3 |
1. School of Energy and Power Engineering University of Shanghai for Science and Technology Shanghai 200093 China;
2. Xuefeng Mountain Energy Equipment Safety National Observation and Research Station of Chongqing University Huaihua 418000 China;
3. State Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Reduction for Power Gird Changsha University of Science & Technology Changsha 410000 China |
|
|
|
Abstract Wind turbine blades operating in cold and humid environments are highly prone to ice accretion, presenting a critical challenge to the wind energy sector. Ice formation alters the blade's surface geometry, inducing substantial aerodynamic degradation characterized by diminished lift and elevated drag, with potential safety risks under severe conditions. Electrothermal de-icing has been widely implemented as a countermeasure. Nevertheless, the systematic effect of the thermophysical properties of heating plate material layers on de-icing efficiency remains inadequately explored. This investigation examined the influence of thermal characteristics of heating plate material layers on the electrothermal de-icing performance of a NACA0012 airfoil leading edge under cold-climate icing conditions. A multiphysics modeling framework was established via FENSAP-ICE simulations, integrating airflow dynamics, droplet impingement, and ice accretion processes. Conjugate heat transfer (CHT) analysis was incorporated to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which material thermal properties govern de-icing effectiveness.
The research established that ambient temperature significantly determines ice type and spatial extent on the blade surface. A higher icing temperature of -1℃ promoted the formation of extensive glaze ice due to the presence of a liquid water film that flows and refreezes. In contrast, a lower temperature of -20℃ led to rime ice accumulation primarily localized at the leading edge, resulting from the instantaneous freezing of supercooled droplets upon impact.
The core investigation systematically compared three heating plate material layers: glass fiber, aluminum alloy, and carbon fiber composite. The findings revealed that the thermophysical properties of the heating plate material layers critically determine the surface temperature distribution and de-icing effectiveness. Due to its low thermal conductivity (0.294 W/(m·K)), the glass fiber layer formed a localized high-temperature zone at the leading edge, enhancing de-icing efficiency specifically under rime ice conditions. The aluminum alloy layer, with its high thermal conductivity (164 W/(m·K)), enabled rapid temperature response, making it suitable for addressing sudden icing events. The carbon fiber composite layer, possessing ultra-high thermal conductivity (900 W/m·K) and anisotropic heat conduction characteristics, optimized heat distribution, proving particularly effective for large-area glaze ice conditions.
Over a 600-second de-icing period, the total ice mass removed was similar for all three materials (0.515~0.529 kg). However, a key performance metric, the equivalent icing time-defined as the natural icing duration required to accumulate a mass equal to that removed during the de-icing operation-was introduced for deeper analysis. The carbon fiber composite demonstrated superior performance by clearing ice equivalent to 903 s of natural accretion, outperforming aluminum alloy (886 s), and glass fiber (878 s). This indicates that the carbon fiber composite achieves higher de-icing efficiency for the same operational duration, potentially reducing energy consumption and maintenance frequency.
This research systematically compared the performance of different heating plate material layers in electrothermal de-icing, highlighting the critical role of material thermophysical properties. Glass fiber is suitable for wind farms experiencing year-round rime ice, where sustained thermal protection is required and cost sensitivity is a concern. Aluminum alloy is appropriate for conditions demanding rapid de-icing response to unpredictable sudden icing events. Carbon fiber composites demonstrate exceptional de-icing efficiency under persistent, extensive glaze ice conditions, while also offering novel solutions for complex thermal field regulation.
|
|
Received: 16 September 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
[1] Global Wind Energy Council. Global Wind Report 2025[EB/OL]. [2025-10-31]. https://www.gwec.net/reports/globalwindreport/2025.
[2] 胡琴, 王欢, 邱刚, 等. 风力发电机叶片覆冰量化分析及其应用[J]. 电工技术学报, 2022, 37(21): 5607-5616.
Hu Qin, Wang Huan, Qiu Gang, et al.Quantitative analysis of wind turbine blade icing and its application[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2022, 37(21): 5607-5616.
[3] 胡琴, 王欢, 舒立春, 等. 覆冰条件下风力发电机叶片防/除冰方法综述[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(17): 5482-5496.
Hu Qin, Wang Huan, Shu Lichun, et al.Review of anti-/de-icing methods for wind turbine blades under icing conditions[J]. Transactions of China Electro-technical Society, 2024, 39(17): 5482-5496.
[4] 黄仪灵, 房方, 卢成志, 等. 基于多源数据的风电机组可靠性模糊评估与健康预测研究[J]. 电气工程学报, 2025, 20(2): 43-53.
Huang Yiling, Fang Fang, Lu Chengzhi, et al.Fuzzy evaluation and prediction of wind turbine reliability based on multi-source data[J]. Journal of Electrical Engineering, 2025, 20(2): 43-53.
[5] Lu Hao, Xu Yongzhong, Li Hongchang, et al.Numerical study on glaze ice accretion characteristics over time for a NACA0012 airfoil[J]. Coatings, 2024, 14(1): 55.
[6] 胡琴, 杨大川, 蒋兴良, 等. 叶片模拟冰对风力发电机功率特性影响的试验研究[J]. 电工技术学报, 2020, 35(22): 4807-4815.
Hu Qin, Yang Dachuan, Jiang Xingliang, et al.Experimental study on the effect of blade simulated icing on power characteristics of wind turbine[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2020, 35(22): 4807-4815.
[7] 王力, 胡琴, 舒立春, 等. 荷叶超疏水表面防覆冰试验及机理研究[J]. 电工技术学报, 2025, 40(3): 855-863.
Wang Li, Hu Qin, Shu Lichun, et al.Experimental and mechanistic study on anti-icing of superhydrophobic surface of lotus leaf[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2025, 40(3): 855-863.
[8] Quayson-Sackey E, Nyantekyi-Kwakye B, Ayetor G K.Technological advancements for anti-icing and de-icing offshore wind turbine blades[J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2025, 231: 104400.
[9] Gao Linyue, Tao Tao, Liu Yongqian, et al.A field study of ice accretion and its effects on the power production of utility-scale wind turbines[J]. Renewable Energy, 2021, 167: 917-928.
[10] Manatbayev R, Baizhuma Z, Bolegenova S, et al.Numerical simulations on static vertical axis wind turbine blade icing[J]. Renewable Energy, 2021, 170: 997-1007.
[11] 孔祥逸, 张宝峰, 王刚, 等. 海上风力机叶片覆冰对其气动性能的影响[J]. 船舶工程, 2022, 44(增刊1): 166-171.
Kong Xiangyi, Zhang Baofeng, Wang Gang, et al.The effect of ice cover on aerodynamic performance of wind turbine blades[J]. Ship Engineering, 2022, 44(S1): 166-171.
[12] Jin Jiayi, Virk M S.Study of ice accretion along symmetric and asymmetric airfoils[J]. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2018, 179: 240-249.
[13] Rekuviene R, Saeidiharzand S, Mažeika L, et al.A review on passive and active anti-icing and de-icing technologies[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2024, 250: 123474.
[14] Liu Lin, Jiang Xingliang, Chen Yu, et al.Experimental study of electro-impulse de-icing for wind turbine blades under glaze icing condition[C]//2023 IEEE Sustainable Power and Energy Conference (iSPEC), Chongqing, China, 2024: 1-5.
[15] 于周, 舒立春, 胡琴, 等. 覆冰厚度对气动脉冲除冰效果影响的数值仿真与试验验证[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(3): 844-851.
Yu Zhou, Shu Lichun, Hu Qin, et al.Numerical simulation and experimental verification of the influences of icing thicknesses on pneumatic impulse de-icing effects[J]. Transactions of China Electro-technical Society, 2024, 39(3): 844-851.
[16] Li Yan, Shen He, Guo Wenfeng.Simulation and experimental study on the ultrasonic micro-vibration de-icing method for wind turbine blades[J]. Energies, 2021, 14(24): 8246.
[17] Shiverskii A V, Owais M, Mahato B, et al.Electrical heaters for anti/de-icing of polymer structures[J]. Polymers, 2023, 15(6): 1573.
[18] Chi Haodong, Tong Guoqiang, Yang Shengbing, et al.A de-icing experimental investigation of blade airfoil for wind turbines based on external hot air method[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2024, 241: 122353.
[19] Li Xiaoheng, Li Xiaojuan, Mu Zhongqiu, et al.An experimental study on biochar/polypyrrole coating for blade anti-icing of wind turbines[J]. Coatings, 2023, 13(4): 759.
[20] 胡琴, 朱茂林, 舒立春, 等. 风力发电机叶片防除冰涂层(一): 制备及性能测试[J]. 电工技术学报, 2023, 38(24): 6839-6849.
Hu Qin, Zhu Maolin, Shu Lichun, et al.Anti-icing coatings for wind turbine blades part 1: preparation and performance testing[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2023, 38(24): 6839-6849.
[21] Liu Zhiyuan, Zhang Yingwei, Li Yan.Superhydro-phobic coating for blade surface ice-phobic properties of wind turbines: a review[J]. Progress in Organic Coatings, 2024, 187: 108145.
[22] Xie Zhenting, Wang Hong, Geng Yang, et al.Carbon-based photothermal superhydrophobic materials with hierarchical structure enhances the anti-icing and photothermal deicing properties[J]. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2021, 13(40): 48308-48321.
[23] 刘红祥, 闯振菊, 刘社文, 等. 风机叶片结冰机理和电热除冰分析[J]. 船舶工程, 2023, 45(12): 171-177, 189.
Liu Hongxiang, Chuang Zhenju, Liu Shewen, et al.Analysis of the mechanism of wind turbine blade icing and electrothermal deicing[J]. Ship Engineering, 2023, 45(12): 171-177, 189.
[24] Xu Zhi, Zhang Ting, Li Xiaojuan, et al.Effects of ambient temperature and wind speed on icing characteristics and anti-icing energy demand of a blade airfoil for wind turbine[J]. Renewable Energy, 2023, 217: 119135.
[25] Shu Lichun, Qiu Gang, Hu Qin, et al.Numerical and experimental investigation of threshold de-icing heat flux of wind turbine[J]. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2018, 174: 296-302.
[26] 邓晓湖. 水平轴风力机桨叶覆冰的数值模拟[D]. 长沙: 长沙理工大学, 2011.
Deng Xiaohu.Numerical simulation of ice accretion process on horizontal-axis wind turbine blade[D]. Changsha: Changsha University of Science & Technology, 2011.
[27] 孙鹏. 风力机覆冰模型仿真分析及其对功率的影响研究[D]. 重庆: 重庆交通大学, 2024.
Sun Peng.Simulation analysis of wind turbine ice cover model and its effect on power study[D]. Chongqing: Chongqing Jiaotong University, 2024.
[28] Wright W, Al-Khalil K, Miller D, et al. Validation of NASA thermal ice protection computer codes. Ⅱ-LEWICE/thermal[C]//35th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, USA, 1997: AIAA1997-50.
[29] Xu Yang, Li Ao, Zhang Fan, et al.Study on anti-icing performance of carbon fiber composite superhydrophobic surface[J]. Materials Today Chemistry, 2023, 29: 101421.
[30] Rajad O, Hamid M, Fertahi S E, et al.Fiber orientation effect on the behavior of the composite materials of the horizontal axis wind turbine blade (HAWTB)[C]// 2018 6th International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference (IRSEC), Rabat, Morocco, 2019: 1-6.
[31] 高克强, 薛忠民, 陈淳, 等. 复合材料风电叶片技术的现状与发展[J]. 新材料产业, 2010(12): 4-7.
[32] Spini F, Bettini P.End-of-life wind turbine blades: review on recycling strategies[J]. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2024, 275: 111290.
[33] Shen He, Zhang Fupeng, Guo Wenfeng, et al.An experimental study on surface de-icing of glass fiber-reinforced plastic plate by electrothermal and ultrasonic coupling method[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2025, 265: 125570.
[34] Xuan Sensen, Yin Huan, Li Guoqiang, et al.Trifolium repens L.-like periodic micronano structured superhydrophobic surface with ultralow ice adhesion for efficient anti-icing/deicing[J]. ACS Nano, 2023, 17(21): 21749-21760. |
|
|
|
2026, Vol. 41 
