Aircraft Engine Anti-Icing systems - Research Paper Example

Heavy accumulation of ice may also cause changes in the aircraft’s aerodynamic center thereby misbalancing the plane. Ice can also damage the engine by increasing friction of the fan and clogging its inlets. The most vulnerable of all aircraft components is the fan blade that can get damaged if the frozen ice is not removed. Ice build-up when low thrust is being acted upon the aircraft causes damage to the tips of the blade when the aircraft enters a high thrust region. An attempt to reduce the drag forces acting on the aircraft, by the pilot, may inevitably result in the accumulation of more ice.

Due to these reasons, the accumulation of ice on the aircrafts is generally regarded as a threat for the aircraft passengers. The effect of contamination or ice build-up can be life threatening. In many cases, a malfunctioning ice protection system can also cause damage to engine components and fan blades. Ice can build up on the intake ring and get deposited deeper into the engine. This is particularly dangerous as this can increase frictional energy within the energy leading to a reduced amount of thrust and a possible disintegration or downfall.

Sometimes, blockage of inlets or formation of ice on compressor blade suspends flow of air into the compressor due to which it may get restrained. Similarly vulnerable are engine probes that are located in the external surface of aircrafts. Errors within flight instruments and detection equipments can result due to ice build-up on probes. Airframe icings are equally menacing for the pilot. Some features and characteristics may make aircraft components more prone to ice accretion. In general, sharp components such as blades, leading edges, fins, antennae, propellers, and aerials, may gather more ice because of their narrowly exposed surface area.

In the contrary, flatter components and those that are blunt are less likely to accumulate much ice during the course of the journey (Civil Aviation Authority,