An integrated method for detection and mitigation of ice accretion on wind turbine blades

Ice formation on structures, particularly on the leading edges of curved surfaces such as cylinders and airfoils, can be dangerous, and it is necessary to use an ice sensor combined with an ice mitigation system to prevent ice from forming on these surfaces. Wind turbine blades, which are commonly used in cold climate regions, are particularly susceptible to ice accumulation due to their sensitivity to changes in aerodynamic performance. To address this issue, it is necessary to have an integrated system for detecting and mitigating ice formation on wind turbine blades. Various ice detection and mitigation techniques for wind turbine blades in cold regions are reviewed and categorized based on key parameters. The conceptual design of integrating ice sensing and mitigation systems is also investigated, along with the advantages and disadvantages of these systems. A new technique for estimating the volume of frozen water droplets on a cold solid surface based on the contact angle and thermal images is presented. This technique takes into consideration factors such as temperature, surface roughness, and droplet size. An integrated ice tracking and mitigation technique using thermal imaging and heat elements along the stagnation line of a cylindrical surface is developed. This technique, which employs IR camera to monitor ice buildup, de-icing, and relaxation, is validated using an optical camera. The average uncertainty of ice thickness determined from thermal and optical images is about 0.16 mm during ice buildup and about 0.1 mm during ice mitigation, making it suitable for many cold environment applications. Finally, the relationship between ice thickness at the stagnation line and ice thickness at the heater edge is investigated in order to control ice accumulation mass and limit the heat energy required for de-icing. It is shown through de-icing experiments that the heat energy needed to remove the ice accumulation on the surface of a cylinder can be reduced by controlling the ice thickness at the heater's edge