Predicting and reducing glaze ice accretion on electric power lines with Joule heating: Theory and experiments

An analytical model is developed for the prediction of glaze ice accretion with runback water for electric power lines including the Joule heating eff ect. In this model, the external air flow is coupled with the liquid film f low by slip (non-zero velocity) boundary conditions a the liquid-air interf ace. In this way, corrections to previous rime ice models are given in orde r to account for runback water and its effect on wet ice growth in freezing rain conditions with ambient temperatures slightly below 0[degrees C]. Als o, the process of Joule heating in icing conditions is examined from a ther modynamic optimization viewpoint in a manner which permits efficient power transmission while dissipating heat in order to reduce ice accumulation. Go od agreement is achieved between theoretical predictions of the glaze ice a ccretion and experimental results from the freezing rain simulator at the U niversity of Manitoba.