Effect of liquid filling level on sloshing hydrodynamic characteristic under the first natural frequency

Abstract

Hydrogen energy is a promising renewable alternative energy and hydrogen storage obtains more interest all over the world. During the transportation of liquid hydrogen, fluid sloshing is inevitable due to low kinetic viscosity. As fluid sloshing has obvious negative effects, the corresponding safety issues should be given detailed considerations. This work aims to study fluid sloshing hydrodynamic performance in a cryogenic fuel storage tank by utilizing volume of fluid (VOF) method. The numerical model validation is conducted by compared with related experimental results. The first natural frequency of the storage tank is selected as external excitation, and influence of initial liquid filling level on fluid sloshing is researched and analyzed. Different fluid sloshing hydrodynamic parameters, including sloshing force, fluid pressure, interface area ratio and interface fluctuation, are simulated. It is found that the initial liquid filling level causes evident influences on fluid sloshing hydrodynamic characteristics. The sloshing hydrodynamic parameters increase with the liquid filling level. The free interface experiences obvious fluctuations subjected to the first natural frequency. Moreover, the interface monitor close to tank wall has large amplitude displacement fluctuations. Generally, the displacement fluctuation increases with the initial liquid filling level. The present work is of significance to understand fluid sloshing hydrodynamics under the natural frequency, and may supply some references to weaken and inhibit large amplitude fluid sloshing.