Icing of wind turbine blades and sensors in cold climates can cause a significant decrease in turbine efficiency and power production, due to the altered blade aerodynamics and forced shutdowns. Various studies have developed innovative methods for de-icing of wind turbine blades and sensors. In this paper, experimental studies of heat transfer with water droplets on a NACA 63–421 airfoil are studied to simulate anti-icing conditions. Various liquid water contents (LWC) are investigated. The measurements can provide important characterization of heat convection between the airfoil surface and cold surrounding air just before icing accumulation. These experimental measurements can be used to develop better methods to reduce impact of wind turbine icing in cold weather climates. This study is intended to provide useful data to improve methods of anti-icing of wind turbines.

Volume Subject Area:
Spray and Droplet Heat Transfer
Topics:
Blades, Convection, Drops, Wind tunnels, Wind turbines, Airfoils, Sensors, Water, Aerodynamics, Climate, Cold climates, Deicing, Energy generation, Heat transfer, Turbines
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Copyright © 2007
 by ASME
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