The aim of this work is the proposal and the experimental investigation of a new and energy-saving
anti-ice system named hot-film. The experimental investigations were performed in two steps. In the first,
a simplified anti-ice geometry utilizing an apt thermochromic liquid crystals visualization technique was
analyzed. The second part was carried out at the Alenia low-speed wind tunnel in Turin utilizing a D-
duct model of an executive aircraft nacelle. In the D-duct, both the baseline solution (spray-bar) and the
new one (hot-film) were installed and tested. The results obtained for the system proposed here are
discussed and compared to the results of the conventional spray-bar anti-ice system. An optimization
process was developed at the design stage of the hot-film system, to ensure adequate anti-ice capability
with minimal use of engine bleed air, since the latter represents the most important engine performance
penalty. Engine integration problems are also discussed, with particular reference to the weight of the
anti-ice system.
