Numerical Analysis of Impact-Freezing and Spreading Dynamics of Supercooled Saline Droplets on Offshore Wind Turbine Blades Using the VOF–Enthalpy–Porosity Method

Abstract

The impact-freezing phenomenon of supercooled saline droplets on cold surfaces poses a serious threat to the operational stability and structural integrity of offshore wind turbines. Compared to freshwater droplets, numerical models for analyzing the impact-freezing behavior of saline droplets typically involve complex physical mechanisms, resulting in high computational costs. This study employs a simplified two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical model that integrates the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method with the enthalpy–porosity approach, enabling rapid analysis of the saline droplet impact-freezing process under marine environmental conditions. The model is validated by comparing the spreading factor curve of saline droplets with a salinity of 35‰ against existing experimental data. Results show that the salinity corresponding to the peak relative deviation shifts with varying impact parameters, depending on the competition between impact dynamics and solidification. Furthermore, the maximum spreading factor decreases with increasing supercooling degree and contact angle but increases with higher Weber number. These findings provide useful correction parameters for improving existing droplet motion and icing prediction models.

Bibliographic Information