In-situ observation of saline spray ice growth to investigate brine inclusion and drainage

Sea spray icing on ships and offshore structures is a major safety concern for operations in polar regions. For its prediction and prevention, the largely unknown microstructure of the saline ice plays a central role, in particular the distribution and morphology of brine (unfrozen saline solution) pore networks and inclusions. Brine coexists in thermodynamic equilibrium with ice, making this microstructure very sensitive to changes in temperature. To study the spatio-temporal evolution of the brine pore space, we plan time-lapse phase contrast tomography and hierarchical scanning of saline spray ice. The results will be relevant for concise modeling of marine icing, ice adhesion, and a broader field of sea ice research topics.