Some aspects of the accretion process

Three aspects of the ice accretion process are considered. Firstly it is shown experimentally that, as the deposit temperature is raised, the individual droplets pack more closely giving a more compact and denser deposit. Models of the freezing process are then proposed and the freezing times of the droplets calculated theoretically. These calculations show that even with low density rime deposits the deposit temperature is the prime factor in governing the freezing. Finally, the statistical nature of the accretion process is considered and the probabilities of one or more droplets arriving and interfering with the freezing and cooling of an initial droplet are deduced.