Icing and De-Icing of a Propeller with Internal Electric Blade Heaters

An investigation has been made in the NACA Cleveland icing research tunnel to determine the de-icing effectiveness of an experimental configuration of an Internal electric propeller-blade heater. Two atmospheric Icing conditions and two propeller operating conditions were Investigated, In experiments with unheated blades and with heat applied to the blades both continuously and cyclically. Data are presented to show the effect of propeller speed., ambient air temperature and liquid-water concentration, and the duration of the heat-on and cycle times on the power requirements and de-Icing performance of the blade heaters. The extent of ice-covered area on the blades for various icing ax4 operating conditions has been determined. The largest iced area was obtained at the higher ambient-air temperatures and at low propeller speed. The ohord.wise extent of Icing In practically every case was greater than that covered by blade heaters. Adequate de-icing in the heated area with continuous application of heat was obtained with the power available but a maximum power, input of 1250 watts per blade was insufficient for cyclic de-Icing for the range of conditions investigated. Blade-surface temperature rates of rise of 0.2 to 0.7 F per second were obtained and the minimum cooling period for cyclic de-icing was found to be approximately 2-1/2 times the heating period.