Ice Accretion on a Radial Inflow Turbine Blade

A computational method for predicting ice accumulation on a radial inflow turbine blade has been developed. The method includes particle trajectory calculations based on a flow field solution, and icing analysis that takes the impinging liquid and formulates a heat balance equation on the surface of the blade. Since there are no known previous calculations or experiments to compare with the prediction of the present method, calculations for several ranges of parameters are performed in order to gain experience. Some qualitative predictions of ice shedding frequencies, types of ice that may be formed, and a design suggestion for reducing ice buildup is also made.