The numerical simulation of two-phase sloshing in fluid tanks using VoF method

Abstract

The present research was focused on modeling the sloshing of a liquid in a rectangular tank with varying heights of kerosene-air and water-air mixtures using the Volume of Fluid (VoF) model. The study's goal was to analyze the influence of the fluid type and fill level on dynamic pressure and turbulence kinetic energy in the tank. Two different fill levels (50% and 75%) were used and the outcomes for kerosene-air and water-air mixtures were compared. The results showed that models with kerosene generated larger dynamic pressure and higher turbulence kinetic energies as compared to water-filled ones. In the 75% case of kerosene, the highest dynamic pressure was about 2.3 kPa, whilst the pressure in the water-filled model was lower. A similar pattern was evident for turbulence kinetic energy, as the levels in models with kerosene were much bigger. This difference is attributed to the higher viscosity of kerosene, which creates greater resistance during sloshing. Overall, the study demonstrates that fluid type, viscosity, and fill level are the key factors in sloshing dynamics and must be prioritized in tank design.