Liquid sloshing behaviours in an elastic tank and suppression effect of baffles

TL;DR

This study uses a fluid-structure interaction framework with SPH to analyze liquid sloshing in elastic LNG tanks, evaluating the effectiveness of different baffle types and properties in suppressing sloshing.

Contribution

It introduces a coupled FSI-SPH simulation approach for realistic modeling of sloshing and assesses the impact of various baffle configurations and materials on sloshing suppression.

Findings

Rigid baffles are more effective in sloshing suppression.

Elastic baffles with higher Young's modulus improve anti-sloshing performance.

The numerical results agree well with experimental data.

Abstract

In this paper, a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) framework based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is employed to investigate the forces and deformations experienced by LNG tanks during liquid sloshing. As a Lagrangian approach, the SPH method offers the advantage of accurately modelling free-surface flow. The fluid phase consisting of water and air is modelled as a multi-phase system for getting closer to real transport situations. Additionally, the application of FSI within a single framework reduces data transfer discrepancies between fluid dynamics and solid mechanics. To validate the reliability of the numerical methodology, the simulation results about the free surface elevation and wave profiles are compared with experimental data. Subsequently, ring baffles and vertical baffles are introduced separately. While the degree of force acting on the tanks is assessed, the anti-sloshing effectiveness of baffles on sloshing suppression and the variations in stress and strain distributions are evaluated. Further, to compare the influence of the material properties of baffles on sloshing phenomena, the rigid baffle and elastic baffle with different Young's moduli are immersed in the liquid. The results indicate that in this LNG tank configuration, the closer the baffle properties align with rigidity, the more effective the sloshing inhibition.