PrISM – Propeller Ice Shed Measurement

Project Partners

AeroTex GmbH are proud to be the leader of the PrISM project, and are pleased to be working with our partners:

Austrian Institute for Icing Sciences (AIIS)

If you are interested in finding out more about the PrISM project, please contact us.

Project Goals

The main aim of the project is to develop the capability and prove the functionality of a PropRig which can test large scale propellers under realistic icing conditions and measure the response (thrust and torque). The testing will be performed over a range of different conditions (airspeed, propeller blade pitch angle and RPM, with and without the ice protection system operating and in both Appendix C and Appendix O icing conditions). The testing will be split into 2 phases: the first phase, to reach TRL3, will show functionality at lower freestream speeds (up to 50m/s) and in Appendix C icing conditions only in order to limit the forces acting on the installation. In the second phase the freestream speed will be increased up to 80m/s and Appendix O conditions will also be tested. The goal of the rig is to attain 550Nm of torque at 3000RPM, with a stretch target of 700Nm at 2000 RPM. This second phase of the testing will reach between TRL4 and TRL5.

Whilst proving the functionality of the system, data will also be gathered related to the accretions which form along the blades and on the spinner, including shed events. The accretions will be recorded using state-of-the-art scanning methods to ensure maximum accuracy. Shed events will be captured using video tracking.

A concept for measurement of the energy from shed ice will be developed. This will be confirmed using laboratory tests, with a functional proof shown in the second phase of the IWT tests, in order to demonstrate TRL4. A concept for scaling up the method to provide full coverage of the perimeter of the IWT will also be provided. This portion of the project requires the development of a technology (hardware and software) which can measure the energy for impacts over a wide range of impact angles and which can be incorporated into the test facility safely and without significant negative impact on test efficiency.

Through maximisation of data collection during the two IWT test campaigns, the following outputs should result:

Establishment of robust empirical shed criteria for unheated and heated blade surfaces for large propellers
Generation of a comprehensive database of 3D large-scale propeller ice accumulations under both Appendix C and Appendix O icing conditions
Characterisation of spinner ice accretion shapes and shed criteria
Validation of numerical tools for ice shed energy

Work Package Overview

WP No.	Work Package Title	Duration (months)	Start MM/YY	End MM/YY	Planned result
1	Project Management	30	01/22	06/24	Project goals, deliverables and milestones met. Compliance with defined costs.
2	Test Article Design & Manufacture	18	01/22	06/23	Completed model propeller with integrated IPS. Upgraded PropRig.
3	Impact Energy Measurement	28	01/22	04/24	Ice impact measurement methodology defined. Lab-scale tests performed. Integration into RTA facility considered and initial implementation performed.
4	Numerical Simulation	29	01/22	05/24	Supporting simulations for testing performed to maximise data capture.
5	IWT Testing	22	07/22	04/24	2 IWT test campaigns to measure accretions and shedding from large-scale propeller under Appendix C and Appendix O icing conditions.
6	Dissemination & Exploitation	30	01/22	06/24	Non-IPR relevant results disseminated. Knowledge exploited in relevant scientific and technical areas.

Project PrISM has received funding from the Federal Ministry of Austria for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) as part of the Austrian Aeronautics Programme TAKE OFF via the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) under project number FO999886890.