On the adhesion of oil and ice

This paper describes a study on the adhesion between oil and ice and gives the main results. The experimental study consisted of contact angle and inclination angle measurements. Both measurements were taken both on ice in air and under ice in water. The test temperatures on ice in air were -1°C, -12°C and -18°C. Under ice the test temperature was the water temperature, i.e., 0°C. Three different oil types were included in the measuring program. North Sea Brent crude oil was tested as fresh and as artificially prealtered. The third oil type was diesel fuel. On the basis of the contact angle measurements, the surface energies at interfaces between oil, air, water and ice were investigated. In, addition, theoretical assessments of the oil spreading on ice, the work of adhesion between oil and ice and the influence of the liquidlike layer of ice on its adhesion to oil were performed. The inclination angle measurements yielded indications of the static and dynamic friction between oil and ice. Theoretical calculations were conducted on the motion resistance of oil drops sliding along the bottom of ice in water.