TRAIL: a novel approach for studying the aerodynamics of ice particles

McCorquodale, M. W. and Westbrook, C. D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2889-8815 (2021) TRAIL: a novel approach for studying the aerodynamics of ice particles. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 147 (734). pp. 589-604. ISSN 1477-870X doi: 10.1002/qj.3935

Abstract/Summary

A novel experimental approach for studying the aerodynamics of ice particles is presented. The Trajectory Reconstruction Algo- rithm implemented through Image anaLysis (TRAIL) produces digital reconstructions of the trajectory and orientation of 3D-printed analogues of ice particles that fall through a quiescent viscous liquid. Data extracted from this analysis can be used to test fall-speed parametrisations and investigate the preferred orientation of analogues with complex irregular geometries. Experiments using thin circular discs are used to validate this approach. Measurements from a case study in which an analogue of an aggregate ice particle is used are also reported. Data extracted from the analysis clearly demonstrate important, but poorly under- stood, aspects of the aerodynamics of atmospheric ice particles. For example, the orientation that the analogue adopts in free- fall is shown to depend not only on the geometric shape of the particle, but also on the Reynolds number at which it falls. In addition, measurements of the drag coefficient indicate that the accuracy of fall-speed parametrisations reduces at high Reynolds number due to the onset of unsteady motions.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/93800
Identification Number/DOI	10.1002/qj.3935
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > Department of Meteorology
Publisher	Royal Meteorological Society
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