Icing Test
Icing Test
Icing Test
com
AECTP 300
(Edition 3)
METHOD 311
METHOD 311
ICING
1. SCOPE
1.1 Purpose
The icing test is conducted to evaluate the effect of icing on the operational capability of
materiel. This Method also provides tests for evaluating the effectiveness of de-icing
equipment and techniques, including prescribed means to be used in the field.
1.2 Application
b. This Method can be used for ice accretion from sea splash or spray, but
the ice thicknesses may need to be modified to reflect the lower density
of the ice.
1.3 Limitations
This Method does not simulate snow conditions or ice build-up on aircraft flying through
supercooled clouds. Although frost occurs naturally, the effects are considered less
significant and are not specifically addressed in this Method. This Method may not be
suitable for the assessment of aerial/antenna performance, (i.e., rime ice saturated with
air causes substantial signal reflection). For optional tests for testing vehicle
windscreens/windshields, see EEC Directive 78/317/EEC (reference a). Also, this
Method does not address icing effects from falling, blowing or recirculating snow and
wet snow or slush. These are considered less severe than those in paragraph 2.2.
2. TEST GUIDANCE
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2.1 Ice Formation
b. From sublimation;
d. From sea spray and splash that coats materiel when the materiel
temperature is below freezing.
(See Reference b)
Two types of ice are commonly encountered: rime ice (opaque/granular) and
glaze ice (clear/smooth). Published extremes for ice accretion may be used for
calculating design and structural evaluations, but are not considered practical for
establishing test conditions due to the large thicknesses involved, unless the test
is intended to provide practical confirmation of design calculations.
a. Rime ice: A white or milky and opaque granular deposit of ice formed by
a rapid freezing of supercooled water drops as they impinge upon an
exposed object. Rime ice is lighter, softer and less transparent than
glaze. Rime is composed essentially of discrete ice granules and has
densities ranging from 0.2 g/cm3 (soft rime) to almost 0.9 g/cm3 (hard
rime). Factors that favour rime formation are small drop size, slow
accretion, a high degree of supercooling, and rapid dissipation of latent
heat of fusion. The opposite effects favour glaze formation.
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METHOD 311
(2) Soft rime: A white, opaque coating of fine rime deposited chiefly
on vertical surfaces, especially on points and edges of objects,
generally in supercooled fog. On the windward side, soft rime
may grow to very thick layers, long feathery cones, or needles
pointing into the wind and having a structure similar to that of
frost.
b. Glaze ice: A coating of ice, generally clear and smooth but usually
containing some air pockets, formed on exposed objects by the freezing
of a film of supercooled water vapour. Glaze is denser, harder and more
transparent than rime. Its density may be as high as 0.9 g/cm3. Factors
that favour glaze formation are large drop size, rapid accretion, slight
supercooling, and slow dissipation of heat of fusion. The opposite effects
favour rime formation. Glaze occurs when rain or drizzle freezes on
objects, and is clear and nearly as dense as pure ice. Since glaze ice is
more difficult to remove, it is structurally a more significant factor and will
be the focus of this test.
Ice formation can impede materiel operation and survival and affect the safety of
operating personnel by creating, as example, the following problems:
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METHOD 311
k. Reducing (aircraft) stall margins.
When an icing test is deemed necessary, the procedure included in this Method is
considered suitable for most materiel.
The test variables are test item configuration and orientation, air and test item
temperature, water delivery method, droplet size, and ice thickness. The values
chosen for the variables are primarily dependent on the intended use of the materiel.
a Should the test item receive icing on all sides and on top?
The objective is to produce a clear, uniform coating of glaze ice. Any delivery
rate that produces a uniform coating of glaze ice is acceptable. A water delivery
rate of 25 mm/h has been suggested in the test procedure and is based on data
from previous testing.
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2.4.4 Water delivery method
Any of the following water delivery systems can be used as long as the water is
delivered as a uniform spray:
a Nozzle arrays directing spray to the top, sides, front and rear of the test
item.
b. Nozzle arrays that direct spray straight down onto the test item.
Sidespray coverage is achieved by using wind or an additional
hand-held nozzle. If wind is used it should be the minimum necessary
to maintain uniform ice accretion.
c. A single nozzle directing the spray over the appropriate surfaces of the
test item.
The droplet size range may have to be adjusted for different size facilities. A
fine spray in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 mm diameter nominal droplet size has
produced satisfactory icing in some facilities.
Unless specifically measured data for the anticipated situation are available, the
following ice thicknesses are recommended (reference c):
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b. Ice removal, if required, may include built-in ice-removal systems,
prescribed means that could be expected to be employed in the field, or a
combination of these.
In addition to the information derived from Method 301, paragraph 6, the following are
required:
See Method 301, paragraphs 7 - 10, for test facility, test conditions and test control
information.
4.2 Controls
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4.4 Procedure
NOTE: Since artificially produced ice accretion rates tend to depend upon the distance
between the test item and the spraying system, structures with large height variations,
such as antenna masts, should have test bars placed at the different heights.
c Water used in the spray system should be cooled to between 0oC and
3oC.
Step 1. Place the test item in the chamber and arrange the nozzles to
produce ice on specified surfaces.
Step 3. Deliver a uniform precooled water spray for 1 hour to allow water
penetration into the test item crevices/openings (although a water
temperature of 0-3oC is ideal, a water temperature of 5oC and a
water delivery rate of 25 mm/h has proven satisfactory).
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Step 4. Adjust the chamber air temperature to -10oC or as specified and
maintain the waterspray rate until the required thickness of ice has
accumulated on the appropriate surfaces. Wind or a side spray
may be used to assist accumulation of ice on the sides of the test
item.
NOTE: It may be easier to stop spraying during the temperature reduction to facilitate
temperature adjustment and to minimize frosting of test chamber refrigeration
coils.
Step 6. If the specification allows ice removal, remove the ice. Limit the
method of ice removal to that determined in paragraph 4, e.g.,
built-in ice removal systems, plus expedient means that could be
expected to be employed in the field. Note the effectiveness of ice
removal techniques used.
Step 9. Stabilize the test item at standard ambient conditions and perform
a post-test operational check.
The following guidance is provided to aid in failure analysis. In most cases the test
item is considered to have failed if:
a. For materiel that must operate without ice removal, the performance of
the test item has been degraded beyond that specified in the
requirements document.
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b. For materiel that requires ice removal before operation, the performance
of the item has been degraded beyond the specified limits/requirements
after normal ice-removal efforts have been undertaken.
c. Normal ice removal damages the materiel.
In addition to the references given in Method 301, paragraph 14, the following are
provided for background information.
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