Research on optimization of de-icing performance of wind turbine blades based on numerical simulation

Timely ice removal from blades is crucial for the safe and economical operation of wind turbines. This study applies CFD numerical simulation to the aerothermal de-icing technology of blades, innovatively proposing a method to optimize the de-icing performance of blades through perforating holes and installing deflectors on the leading edge of the blade. It’s found that when the previously developed hot air de-icing system was used on 80 m blade, the average temperature of the fiberglass region on the outer surface of the blade only reached $0.48{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ at thermal equilibrium, which does not meet the de-icing requirements. This investigation effectively addresses this issue by perforating holes and installing deflectors on the leading edge of the blade. The simulation results show that when five $60-\mathrm{mm}$ holes were perforated into the leading edge of the blade, the temperature of the fiberglass region on the outer surface of the blade increased to $2.17^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. With the addition of deflectors on this basis, the temperature of the fiberglass region on the outer surface of the blade further increased to $5.9^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. This investigation has certain guiding significance for the de-icing design of wind turbine blades.