This paper presents a partial differential equation approach to model the icing front evolution on airfoils via the level-set equation, offering a high-fidelity alternative to common algebraic approaches. Furthermore, the automation of the multilayer icing process is achieved by using B-spline curves to improve the geometry representation, which is usually limited to linear segments. The B-splines are generated using a curve approximation algorithm based on an error-controlled knot insertion together with a least-square minimization process, allowing an adequate shape representation of the ice irregular features. The evolution of the level-set interface depends on the so-called icing velocity, which is computed locally in the field from the propagated surface ice mass accretion rate solution. Additionally, an explicit swept volume tracking method controls actively the global conservation of the ice volume. A verification phase is performed on analytical cases to highlight the characteristics of the methods and discretization schemes. Multilayer icing results are then presented on two cases and compared with experimental data providing a reasonable global mass error level in each case. Overall, the method shows great potential to model the ice geometry evolution in a globally conservative manner while ensuring a smooth geometry representation that improves multilayer automation.
Multilayer Airfoil Ice Accretion Simulations Using a Level-Set Method with B-Spline Representation
AIAA Journal ; 57 , 8 ; 3299-3308
2019-06-25
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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