Abstract
This work presents a comparative numerical study of the effect of using baffles, and its design, on the behavior of sloshing in a partially filled road tanker carrying LPG. Navier-Stokes equations and standardk-εturbulence model are used to simulate fluid movement; the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is used to track the liquid-gas interface. Velocity distributions, sloshing stabilization times, and contours of turbulent kinetic energy, which are of high importance in choosing the best design of baffles, are shown. The results show sloshing stabilization times of 22 and 21 s for road tankers with cross-shaped (Type I) and X-shaped (Type II) baffles, respectively, finding lower values of turbulent kinetic energy for Type II design, being, therefore, the best design of baffles for damping of sloshing and vehicle control among studied ones.
Highlights
The production of liquid fuels is an activity of great importance worldwide, and for the economic development of Mexico
The results show sloshing stabilization times of 22 and 21 s for road tankers with cross-shaped (Type I) and X-shaped (Type II) baffles, respectively, finding lower values of turbulent kinetic energy for Type II design, being, the best design of baffles for damping of sloshing and vehicle control among studied ones
The whole phenomenon can be divided into two stages: in the first one momentum is given to the fluid and comprises 30 s, while the second stage starts after giving momentum to fluid and ends once it is considered that the fluid comes to rest
Summary
The production of liquid fuels is an activity of great importance worldwide, and for the economic development of Mexico. Once the fuel is produced, it is transported to the different regions of the country by freight vehicles known as road tankers, for its storage, distribution, and consumption. In road tankers filling level is not complete, as indicated by international documents related with transportation of dangerous materials [1], in order to minimize risks and maintain internal pressure below safe limits. Available studies to Mexican companies providing information for the design and manufacture of road tankers are limited, and they usually do not consider the study of the behavior of the fluid within them, despising the effects of sloshing induced by vehicle motion, which is a consequence of changes in direction and speed experienced by road tankers while carrying the fuel. To prevent the free movement of fluid and minimize the sloshing, mainly in the longitudinal direction, internal barriers called baffles are used
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