An icing wind tunnel test on icing characteristics of cylinder rotating around a shaft

Icing on the objects rotating around a shaft is a common phenomenon, such as icing on wind turbine blade and helicopter propeller. In order to investigate the icing characteristics of the rotating model, icing wind tunnel tests are carried out on the cylinder rotating around a shaft. Tests are performed in the icing wind tunnel system with natural low temperature in cold climate. The repeatability validation test is made for the icing on rotating cylinder. Icing tests are carried out on the rotating cylinder with different rotating speed, cylinder diameter and icing time. Analysis and evaluation methods for the icing characteristics of the rotating cylinder are established. The effects of these factors on the characteristics of icing shape on rotation cylinder are explored, including icing area, dimensionless ice area, stagnation thickness, dimensionless stagnation thickness, stagnation point deflection angle, and dimensionless icing upper and lower limits. The icing characteristics of the rotating cylinder are obtained. Based on the above research, the regression equations for calculating the icing characteristics of rotating cylinder are obtained through orthogonal experimental design method, and the prediction model for the rotating cylinder is developed. Comparison and verification analysis of the test and the prediction values are carried out. The research results can provide reference for the study of icing characteristics on the object rotating around a shaft. © 2017, Press of Chinese Journal of Aeronautics. All right reserved.