An integrated ice tracking and mitigation system on the stagnation line of a cylindrical surface based on thermal imaging and electro-thermal elements

Abstract

This work aims to research and develop an integrated ice tracking and mitigation technique based on thermal imaging and heat elements along a stagnation line of a cylindrical surface. It tracks and measures ice accumulation during an ice event and ice decrement during de-icing using sequential thermal images and image processing algorithms. It also employs an infrared camera to monitor the processes of ice buildup, de-icing, and relaxation by measuring the average temperature of the target surface. Thermal imaging measurements are validated using an optical camera. The measurements suggest that the average uncertainty of the ice thickness determined from thermal and optical images during ice buildup is about 0.16 mm, and about 0.1 mm during ice mitigation. The suggested method provides proper evaluation for a wide range of cold environment applications.