Numerical assessment of the effects of a porous medium in transient sloshing-induced impulsive hydrodynamics

Abstract

A compressible VoF solver was employed to predict sloshing-induced flow phenomena with and without accounting for the effect of a porous medium situated in various zones inside partially filled tanks. Grid sensitivity studies ensured obtaining grid-independent solutions. The solver, validated against experimental measurements, was employed to systematically scrutinize the influence of positions and shapes of different porous zones as well as their number on sloshing-induced free surface elevations and associated impulsive impact pressures. Results indicated that 1) a porous medium situated at the bottom of a tank increased impulsive impact pressures; 2) sufficiently high thin single porous zones at the tank's bottom and sides reduced impulsive impact pressures; 3) placing several porous zones decreased free surface elevations and the associated impulsive impact pressure; 4) although small porous zones at the sides of a tank dampened sloshing phenomena, their position was more effective than their number; and 5) the effectiveness of porous zones to dampen sloshing was similar to that of solid baffles.