Experimental study on the location detection method of deionized water freezing front based on microwave resonance theory

Ice accumulation is a natural phenomenon in cold climates, but it causes serious issues to various industries. To accurately detect the thickness of ice on a horizontal cold plate, a capacitance-coupled split-ring resonator is employed. The impact of the average height of static and dynamic freezing front on the resonator at −20 °C was investigated experimentally. The sensor is capable of detecting freezing fronts up to a maximum height of approximately 20 mm. The height of the static freezing front can be sensitively detected within the range of 0–5.4 mm, with an average error of the sensor less than 0.53 mm. Furthermore, the height of the dynamic static can be detected with a higher degree of accuracy within 0–8.4 mm, the average detection error is 0.37 mm. This technology can serve as a point of reference for the field of anti-icing.