Abstract
AbstractA rough comparison between thermal and mechanical methods of de-icing indicates that mechanical methods could potentially de-ice with an order-of-magnitude less energy than that required to melt an ice accretion. Two applications of mechanical de-icing using pneumatically driven inflatable de-icers are described in this report. The first of these was the de-icing of a small cylindrical radome used for air navigational purposes. Two seasons of testing were conducted with a de-icer consisting of an inflatable-deflatable flexible plastic covering. The de-icer was driven by tanks with pressure and vacuum reservoirs that were recharged by an on-site air compressor in response to a pressure sensor. The de-icing cycle was activated by an ice detector so the system responded to icing events on a demand basis driven by the ice detector. The system proved successful in keeping the radome free of ice without manned operation and with small energy consumption in a mountain icing environment. The second application was an attempt to de-ice the walls of locks used in river navigational facilities. Ice usually formed at the high-water-mark by the freezing of the water exposed to low air temperatures or by the pressing of ice against the walls by ships using the locks. The de-icers consisted of air-driven hoses mounted on the wall covered by a thick flexible rubber mat and protected from ship damage by steel outer plates. This method was successful in removing ice accumulations up to 2 m long by 0.3 m thick over the area covered by the de-icer. Installation costs and the necessity for protection of the de-icer against abrasion by ships may make this de-icing method prohibitively expensive compared with methods which are not as susceptible to damage by ships (e.g. chemical coatings and electrical heating cables buried in the walls).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.