A mesh-free formalism for ice accretion prediction due to large drop impingement

Abstract

This paper presents a novel mesh-free framework, using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method (SPH), for the analysis of large drop impingement and ice accretion prediction on land engineering structures. The SPH method is an efficient and effective approach for the analysis of dynamic fluid flow problems involving free-surface interfaces. In this paper, it has been extended to include the thermodynamics of the freezing process. This allows not only the prediction of drop impact, splashing, and retraction, but also drop freezing and the formation of ice accretion. This mesh-free approach solves a set of non-linear transient dynamic continuum equations. The code also employs an enthalpy-based energy evolution algorithm, coupled with a phase transition equation. Surface tension and adhesion are handled with an approach that is shown to provide an accurate prediction of impinging water drop behavior. Numerical results of drop impact and freezing have been validated against a combination of experimental data and simple ice accretion models. In addition, ice accretions resulting from multi-drop impingement and freezing have been predicted. It is also shown that the developed method can simulate the influence of surface wettability on ice accretion shapes. The presented mesh-free formalism provides a next-generation approach to ice accretion prediction.