An experimental study on the effect of CO₂ laser powers on melting characteristics of clear ice – Part II: Vertical irradiation

Icing phenomenon widely exists and plays negative effects in aviation and electricity fields. Laser deicing technology is a typical non-contact and high-efficiency deicing method. To accurately predict and control the laser-induced ice melting process, an experimental study on melting characteristics of clear ice under vertical CO₂-laser irradiation and natural convection is carried out, with the laser power varied at a range of 20–60 W. As resulted, the axial melting rate tends to increase and then decrease with the increase of laser power. The maximum of average and instantaneous axial melting rate at 40 W are 5.85 mm/s and 13.95 mm/s, respectively. The higher the laser power, the larger the peaks of maximum melting length. At 20 W and 60 W, the peaks of maximum melting length are 10.51 mm and 12.19 mm, respectively. There is little correlation between the deflection of angle and laser power. At 30 W and 50 W, the maximum angles of melting length are 0.77° and 2.52°, respectively. When the melting depth is smaller than 81.5 mm, the maximum energy efficiency at 20 W is 64.8 %, while when it is greater than 81.5 mm, the maximum energy efficiency at 60 W is 63.6 %. Results of this study are meaningful for the optimization of laser deicing technology.