Overview
Icing conditions are one of the most severe conditions for aircraft and engines as experienced in the certification process and in-service events. Certification tests are never simple because icing phenomena is a very complex domain and designers have access to a very low level of prediction capability compared to other fields, mainly relying on a very fragmented knowledge based on empirical past experience. With the development of next generation engines and aircraft, there is a crucial need to better assess and predict icing aspects early on in design phases and identify breakthrough technologies for ice protection systems compatible with future architectures.
The STORM project will provide new advanced simulation methodologies in three specific fields: ice release, ice accretion with runback aspects, and ice trajectory applied for aero propulsive systems to improve the knowledge of engine components behaviour under icing conditions. STORM will also increase the maturity (TRL4) of the most promising innovative technology for ice protection by developing and testing against selected representative engine & nacelle components, including rotating features. In particular, a step forward in ice phobic coating is a major objective of the project. This research work will greatly contribute to improving cost efficiency for future engines and in developing a higher level of competitiveness in the field of Ice protection systems (IPS).
STORM is a 3-year collaborative project comprising of 14 research and industrial partners from 7 European countries.
STORM has been identified by the WEZARD CSA as a priority research theme within the European R&D roadmap on actions against hazardous weather conditions. STORM is also supported by Engines Industries Management Group (EIMG) cluster.
Funding
Results
A step forward in ice simulation
Researchers with the EU-funded STORM project have created an extensive database on ice mechanical properties for aircraft engine designers. Not only will this reduce the lead time for testing engine designs, it will also result in safer air travel.
As icing conditions pose one of the greatest risk to aircraft engines – and to the safety of air travel – the certification process for even the most high-tech aircraft engines is demanding, to say the least. Before a new engine is used to power a jet from Point A to Point B, it must first satisfy a rigorous certification process. Part of this multi-layered process involves being certified for use in icing conditions and, because the icing phenomena is so complex, certification tests are never simple.
The main challenge is that, when it comes to icing and its effect on aircraft engines, engineers have access to a very low level of prediction capability. As a result, they must rely on a very fragmented knowledge based on past empirical evidence. With the development of the next generation of engines, there is a crucial need for a way to better predict these icing aspects early in the design process and, based on this information, develop state-of-the-art ice protection systems.
Thanks to new simulation methodologies developed by the EU-funded STORM project, it is now possible for engineers to more easily predict these icing aspects. Specifically, the simulation solution is capable of making accurate predictions as to ice release, ice accretion with runback aspects and ice trajectory. Based on this improved knowledge of engine component behaviour under icing conditions, the project has laid the foundation for the development of several innovative technologies for ice protection. ‘The STORM research has contributed greatly to improving cost efficiency for future engines and in developing a higher level of competitiveness in the field of ice protection systems,’ says project coordinator Morgan Balland.
Building a knowledge base
For each of the three main focus areas – ice release, ice accretion and ice trajectory – researchers gathered, analysed and consolidated all available information, thus creating a comprehensive knowledge centre from which simulation tests, designs and technological development could be based on. For example, based on a thorough literature review, STORM researchers identified different ways of measuring ice adhesion. ‘Here we were able to introduce a standardised approach for measuring ice release based on a selection of reference materials and test conditions,’ explains Balland.
During the project’s testing of ice block trajectory, researchers identified five ice shapes representative of typical shapes of accretion for engine and aircraft application. ‘Having this knowledge at the start of the design process allows engineers to design aircraft engines capable of withstanding each of these ice shapes, as opposed to basing their designs on best guesses,’ says Balland.
New technologies
This research also laid the foundation for the development of several new technologies aimed at mitigating icing risks. For example, as to coating technology, researchers developed a score card using different application requirements. ‘In parallel to this, we also created a list of the most promising coatings based on previous research projects and partner recommendations,’ adds Balland. For Active Ice Protection System technologies, the project identified three potential solutions and successfully carried out testing of their engine and nacelle components.
A big impact
Thanks to the project’s research, aircraft engine designers now have access to an extensive database on ice mechanical properties – all compiled into a validated simulation and European standard procedure for ice release tests. This includes detailed models of ice release phenomenon and best practices, among other essential information.
‘With this information in hand, we will see a reduction of the conceptual design phase for retrofitted engines and new engine architectures, along with a reduction in the lead time and costs for testing these designs,’ concludes Balland. ‘Most importantly, this will result in safer aircraft engines and safer air travel.’