Phase Discrimination in Marine Icing Using a Coplanar Capacitive Array

This paper describes the development of an array of coplanar capacitive sensors applied to marine icing. Current atmospheric icing monitoring systems consider single phase conditions in their operation. Marine icing conditions present a unique environment where the liquid water phase effects cannot be neglected and require a novel approach. We have conducted an initial proof of concept and propose a new icing monitoring system which can distinguish between the individual phases. A numerical model confirmed our initial hypothesis of the system's ability to discriminate the multiphase domains based on the array of geometrically dissimilar capacitive sensors. In addition, we also developed a novel experimental technique based on a comparative study under constant conditions to eliminate the need for an independent ice accretion monitoring system normally required in sensor development. The new approach promises a better characteristic in marine icing monitoring systems or in similar applications where multiphase dielectric is present.

本文描述了一种应用于海洋积冰的共面电容传感器阵列的研发。当前的大气积冰监测系统在其运行中考虑的是单相条件。海洋积冰条件呈现出一种独特的环境，其中液态水相的影响不可忽视，需要一种新的方法。我们已经进行了初步的概念验证，并提出了一种新的积冰监测系统，它能够区分各个相。一个数值模型证实了我们最初的假设，即该系统基于几何形状不同的电容传感器阵列能够区分多相区域。此外，我们还开发了一种新的实验技术，该技术基于在恒定条件下的对比研究，从而无需在传感器研发中通常所需的独立积冰监测系统。这种新方法有望在海洋积冰监测系统或存在多相电介质的类似应用中具有更好的特性。