Simulation of unsteady electrothermal deicing process based on PHengLEI

Aircraft can encounter ice accretion on the windward surface as they fly through clouds that contain sub-cooled water droplet, which can then affect the aircraft performance and pose extremely serious threats to the flight safety. Electrothermal deicing is an important measure for aircraft icing protection. In this study, the numerical model and method for electrothermal deicing together with an unsteady heat conduction model have been established. Based on the “National Numerical Windtunnel” PHengLEI platform, the newly proposed model for unsteady electrothermal deicing is integrated. By comparing with the simulation results of widely used commercial CFD software and experimental data, the accuracy of the integrated unsteady electrothermal deicing program is verified. Simulations for electrothermal deicing under certain working conditions are carried out. Through analyses of the calculated surface overflow water, surface temperature and icing volume, it is found that a reasonable design of the heater layout, the heating heat flux and the electric heating deicing control rate, can help achieve the safe operation of the electrothermal deicing system and improve the efficient use of energy.