TY - GEN
T1 - Characterization of superhydrophobic surfaces for anti-icing in a low-temperature wind tunnel
AU - Swarctz, Christopher
AU - Aljallis, Elias
AU - Hunter, Scott
AU - Simpson, John
AU - Choi, Chang Hwan
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - In this study, a closed loop low-temperature wind tunnel was custom-built and uniquely used to investigate the anti-icing mechanism of superhydrophobic surfaces in regulated flow velocities, temperatures, humidity, and water moisture particle sizes. Silica nanoparticle-based hydrophobic coatings were tested as superhydrophobic surface models. During tests, images of ice formation were captured by a camera and used for analysis of ice morphology. Prior to and after wind tunnel testing, apparent contact angles of water sessile droplets on samples were measured by a contact angle meter to check degradation of surface superhydrophobicity. A simple peel test was also performed to estimate adhesion of ice on the surfaces. When compared to an untreated sample, superhydrophobic surfaces inhibited initial ice formation. After a period of time, random droplet strikes attached to the superhydrophobic surfaces and started to coalesce with previously deposited ice droplets. These sites appear as mounds of accreted ice across the surface. The appearance of the ice formations on the superhydrophobic samples is white rather than transparent, and is due to trapped air. These ice formations resemble soft rime ice rather than the transparent glaze ice seen on the untreated sample. Compared to untreated surfaces, the icing film formed on superhydrophobic surfaces was easy to peel off by shear flows.
AB - In this study, a closed loop low-temperature wind tunnel was custom-built and uniquely used to investigate the anti-icing mechanism of superhydrophobic surfaces in regulated flow velocities, temperatures, humidity, and water moisture particle sizes. Silica nanoparticle-based hydrophobic coatings were tested as superhydrophobic surface models. During tests, images of ice formation were captured by a camera and used for analysis of ice morphology. Prior to and after wind tunnel testing, apparent contact angles of water sessile droplets on samples were measured by a contact angle meter to check degradation of surface superhydrophobicity. A simple peel test was also performed to estimate adhesion of ice on the surfaces. When compared to an untreated sample, superhydrophobic surfaces inhibited initial ice formation. After a period of time, random droplet strikes attached to the superhydrophobic surfaces and started to coalesce with previously deposited ice droplets. These sites appear as mounds of accreted ice across the surface. The appearance of the ice formations on the superhydrophobic samples is white rather than transparent, and is due to trapped air. These ice formations resemble soft rime ice rather than the transparent glaze ice seen on the untreated sample. Compared to untreated surfaces, the icing film formed on superhydrophobic surfaces was easy to peel off by shear flows.
KW - Icing
KW - Superhydrophobic surface
KW - Wind tunnel
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U2 - 10.1115/IMECE2010-40533
DO - 10.1115/IMECE2010-40533
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84881397411
SN - 9780791844441
T3 - ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)
SP - 303
EP - 306
BT - ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2010
T2 - ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2010
Y2 - 12 November 2010 through 18 November 2010
ER -