Study on the influence of spray rake configuration on the uniformity of cloud field and temperature field in a large-scale icing wind tunnel

Abstract The quality of the cloud field and temperature field within a large-scale icing wind tunnel is paramount to ensuring the reliability of icing test outcomes. Engineering experience underscore the potential impact of the spray rake configuration within the wind tunnel on the flow field quality within the test section. This study, focusing on the 3 m × 2 m Icing Wind Tunnel (IWT) at China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center, employs a numerical simulation system to investigate how two distinct spray rake configurations affect the uniformity of both the cloud and temperature fields in the test section. The Euler method is utilized to describe the flow field and temperature variations, while the Lagrange method calculates droplet motion. A two-way coupling iteration approach is adopted to solve both the continuous and the discrete phases. Furthermore, a parametric sensitivity analysis is conducted to explore the influence of varying wind speeds and droplet sizes on the uniformity of the cloud field and temperature field. The findings reveal that the middle vertical plate of the spray rake, in the case of the B-type nozzle configuration, exerts a notable influence on the uniformity index of liquid water content within the test section. However, its impact on the droplet temperature field and overall airflow temperature is found to be negligible. This research conclusion offers valuable data-driven insights into the decision of whether to retain the middle vertical plate of the spray rake.