FURTHER ASPECTS OF DYNAMICAL MODELS FOR RIME-ICE AND SNOW ACCRETION ON AN OVERHEAD LINE CONDUCTOR

Current three-dimensional, time-dependent mathematical models for (dry) rime-ice and snow accretion on Overhead Line Conductors (OHLC), of finite span and finite torsional stiffness, assume that the airflow past the iced OHLC is given by Attached Potential Flow (APF) and that the effect of aerodynamic moment on the rotation of the OHLC during ice evolution can be neglected. In the present numerical study a CFD code is employed to simulate the turbulent airflow past an iced OHLC and used to validate APF predictions for icing particle impactions, ice evolution and rotation of the OHLC. Comparisons are made for the following: (a) icing particle impaction velocities determined using the CFD code and APF when, for example, the iced surface is fixed at an attitude experiencing lift; (b) the aerodynamic moment, for a chosen ice shape at a range of attitudes, predicted using the CFD code and APF; (c) the aerodynamic moment, for natural ice shapes, given by APF and measured in wind-tunnel tests; (d) the effect of aerodynamic moment, predicted using the CFD code and APF, on ice evolution during a short period of icing. Finally, on employing aerodynamic moments calculated using APF modified values, the sensitivity of the ice-accretion process, across the span of the OHLC, to conductor rotation and various meteorological and physical data for the icing particles is discussed.