Infrared Thermal Signature Evaluation of a Pure Ice Block

Abstract

Marine operations in cold climates are subjected to heavy ice accretion, which can lead to heavy ice loads causing safety concerns. Atmospheric and sea spray icing can cause severe ice accretion on structures. Ice detection over the relatively larger surface area of marine platforms and vessels could be significant for ice mitigation and its removal in cold climates. A thermal ice signature can be considered a useful property that could be detected using the Infrared (IR) cameras. To study this remote ice detection option, preliminary lab experimentation was performed to detect thermal gradients over two different surface areas of a pure ice sample at room temperature. A complete thermal signature over the surface area was detected and recorded until the meltdown process was completed. The proposed technique can be useful in detecting ice over large areas in cold marine environments than point detection ice sensing. However, challenges remains in terms of the validation of the detection signature and elimination of false detection.