The deposition of ice on aircraft surfaces is a widespread problem that causes high costs and impairs functionality and safety, as it leads to higher energy consumption, increased drag, lower energy output, but also risk of damage and therefore risk of accidents.
Current solutions for the air cycle machines use a heating system on the downstream pipe to heat the surface, using electric resistance heaters or hot air coming from the compressor stage. Both solutions require high energy, hence the need to reduce energy consumption through the development of passive energy-saving solutions.
The aim of ERICE is to develop an improved eco-friendly and cost-effective hydrophobic/ice-phobic solution able to resist to ice erosion in a turbine scroll and its downstream pipe.
An economic and ecological analysis for both existing and new coatings was performed by QUANTIS.
Timeline: 2018-2021 (36 months)
Coordinator: FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Topic: JTI-CS2-2017-CfP07-SYS-
Key industrial partners: Tecnalia, Quantis, Liebherr, Cranfield University
