Computer simulation of marine ice accretion

Abstract

Marine icing can arguably be considered to be the primogenitor of icing problems, having occasioned grief to mariners long before aircraft or electrical transmission lines were invented. Adopting an historical perspective, we elucidate the nature of the phenomenon and the scienti c and engineering approaches which have been embraced to mitigate it. With a view to encouraging other scientists to address this problem, we also identify the critical knowledge gaps which stand in the way of a nal solution, paying particular attention to recent developments and future trends in numerical modelling and wind-tunnel experimentation.

A climatology of vessel icing for the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean

“…Simply put, vessel icing due to sea spray depends on the efficiency with which water can be delivered to the vessel's superstructure and the thermodynamics of freezing on its various surfaces (Overland et al, 1986;Overland, 1990;Lozowski et al, 2000). The latter is not dissimilar to other situations where freezing occurs such as transmission wires and aircraft (Lozowski et al, 2000).…”

“…it predicts icing rates for four categories (light, moderate, heavy and extreme), and so is less sensitive to the exact nature of its functional form as well as differences in icing that occur for different vessel configurations and situations (Overland, 1991). The algorithm has been criticized as being overly simplistic (Makkonen et al, 1991), as compared to deterministic models that attempt to describe both the generation of sea spray and its freezing on a particular surface (Lozowski et al, 2000;Jones and Andreas, 2012). It, however, has the advantage of providing a bulk estimate as to the risk of icing that is independent of the particulars of a given situation, i.e.…”

“…It is generally recognized that icing due to sea spray poses the greatest threat to maritime operations with over 90% of ice accretion being attributed to this process (Shellard, 1974;Overland et al, 1986;Feit, 1987;Lozowski et al, 2000). Accordingly, the emphasis is placed on understanding and forecasting this type of ice accretion.…”

“…Vessel icing can take several forms including the freezing and accretion of sea spray generated through vessel-wave interaction; super-cooled fog; as well as freezing rain and snow (Lozowski et al, 2000). It is generally recognized that icing due to sea spray poses the greatest threat to maritime operations with over 90% of ice accretion being attributed to this process (Shellard, 1974;Overland et al, 1986;Feit, 1987;Lozowski et al, 2000).…”

“…The characteristics of a particular vessel as well as its speed and heading also play a factor in the amount of ice accretion and the resulting risk to its stability (Pease and Comiskey, 1985;Crowley, 1988;Guest, 2005). Despite this risk, limited counter measures exist to mitigate vessel icing (Lozowski et al, 2000). This fact when combined with the rapidity in the onset of icing events, places great emphasis on advance warning through forecasting of these events (Overland et al, 1986;Crowley, 1988;Overland, 1990;Lozowski et al, 2000).…”