Water film breakdown and rivulets formation effects on thermal anti-ice operation simulation

Abstract

This paper presents a mathematical model for airfoil electro-thermal anti-ice system operational parameters prediction. For accurate temperature and runback flow estimation, the water film breakdown into rivulets flow must be modeled. The dry patches formed between water rivulets expose the solid surface to external flow around airfoil so in this region heat is transferred solely by convection. On the other hand, an evaporative cooling over the water rivulets surface causes a heat transfer intensification. This difference of heat transfer mechanisms is simulated by a wetness factor calculated with a water rivulets mathematical model. The present numerical results were compared with experimental data and results from other numerical codes.