Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 8.1
Comparison of different methods for active de-icing of wind turbines
Active de-icing method
Performance
categories
Thermal resistors
Hot air
Inflatable pneumatic
boots
Liquid surface
coatings
Microwave
Energy consumption
(1 for the smallest
and 5 for the
highest)
4
5
2
3
1
Effect on
aerodynamic
efficiency of the
turbine
(Good) Does not
create negative
aerodynamic effect
on the blades
(Medium) Hot air layer under the
ice does not create negative
effects. Blowing external hot air
may degrade aerodynamic
efficiency
(Poor) Temporarily
disrupts the flow when
actuating and therefore
decreases aerodynamic
efficiency
(Medium)
Might slightly
degrade the
aerodynamic
efficiency
(Good) Does not
create negative
aerodynamic effect
on the blades
Operating cost
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
High
Low
Maintenance cost
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
High due to
frequent
clogging of
membrane
holes
Not known
Negatively affected
by centrifugal force
during blade rotation
No
No
Yes (inflates itself)
Yes (is quickly
removed)
No
Environmentally
harmful
No
No
No
Yes
No
Noise creation
Low
Low
High
Low
Not known
(continued)
