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.