Performance optimization of aircraft deicing equipment based on genetic algorithm

Using deicing fluids is the main way of aircraft ground deicing, which plays an important role in ensuring flights’ safety. However, most of the airports use deicing fluids excessively to ensure the quality and efficiency of aircraft ground deicing, which will not only cause a large amount of deicing fluids wasted but also pollute water resources and the environment. Finding the optimal solution between deicing efficiency and deicing fluids consumption through effective methods is necessary. This article analyzes the energy conversion process of aircraft ground deicing, establishes multi-parameter optimization model for deicing, and optimizes the consumption of deicing fluids. The physical quantity, including the flow rate and the temperature of deicing fluids, is found as the main influence of the deicing time, which is the most concerned problem in the actual operation. Under the precondition of ensuring the deicing efficiency, the optimized parameters such as different ambient temperature, wing area, and icing thickness are obtained by genetic algorithm. The trend between the parameters with the change of environment has also been analyzed. Finally, the actual using condition in the capital airport and the optimized results are compared, and the results show that the usage of deicing fluids reduced 13% to 24%.