Simulation of Icing on a Cascade of Stator Blades
S. Lee, E. Loth, A. Broeren, and M.B. Bragg
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61801
ABSTRACT
The effect of icing on turbo-machinery has been of recent interest due to certification
requirements of engine operation and focus on optimum ice protection systems. In this
project, we examine a STAGE 67A stator blade to represent a part of a turbo-machinery
compressor stage. Numerical simulations use the Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS)
solver for the air flow coupled with Continuous Random Walk (CRW) for the droplet
trajectory and impingement released upstream of stator blade. These results were coupled
with LEWICE for ice formation on the stator blade. The overall methodology allows
prediction of the impingement efficiency, the amount of ice formation, and the adverse
effects on the aerodynamic performances. Changes in the flow field due to ice accretion can
lead to boundary layer separations, which causes reduction in the flow turning angle and
mass flow rate as well as increase in the total pressure loss. Icing accretion is significantly
sensitive to droplet size, integration time, and temperature. However weak sensitivity was
found with respect to turbulence and angle of attack.