Effect of baffle geometry and air pressure on transient fluid slosh in partially filled tanks

Abstract

Effects of baffle geometric parameters such as curvature, opening size and shape, and inclination on the transient load shift and slosh forces within a partly filled liquid tank are investigated under longitudinal and lateral acceleration fields using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methods. Validity of the simulations is illustrated considering steady-state responses, and fundamental slosh frequencies of cleanbore and baffled tanks. The slosh forces imposed on the baffles and end caps are evaluated for different baffle design parameters. The results suggest that the liquid cargo load shift, longitudinal and lateral forces, and pitch moment due to transient fluid slosh are strongly influenced by the baffle shape, and opening size. It is further shown that sloshing with medium to high fill levels can cause substantial increase in pressure of air trapped between the end cap and baffle, and between adjacent baffles, which contributes considerably to the resultant forces on the baffles and opposes the force due to liquid phase of the flow.