Investigating the effect of deicing parameters using high-pressure water jet

Abstract

Maritime operations are impacted by ice accretion on decks, bulkheads, and offshore structures during the winter or in extremely frigid climates. In most cases, the traditional method of deicing maritime vessels is human labor, which requires enormous effort and lengthy hours for unsatisfactory results, particularly when the ice adhesion strength is high. This study experimentally examined combined effects of operational parameters, including operating pump pressure, nozzle geometry, water jet temperature, standoff distance, and time of cut, on the depth and width of a cut through an ice block. In comparison to other parameters, the influence of nozzle geometry on both the width and depth of cut was found to be more significant, with R-squared values of 85% and 62% respectively. Increasing the depth and width of the cut facilitated the delamination and disintegration of ice from an aluminum mold. This indicates that water jet deicing on maritime vessels could be effective, therefore achieving the objective of this study. The optimization of operational parameters is used to develop a cuttability chart for various thicknesses of accumulated ice on marine vessels.