Vortexing characteristics during draining from cylindrical fuel tanks with inclined bottom surface

Suhan Eun, Jongju Jea, Zhefeng Gao, Hyunsohn Chang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

During draining of liquid from a circular tank through an axisymmetrically placed drain port, a vortex with an air core forms. The vortex extends to the bottom port, reducing the effective cross sectional area of the drain outlet and consequently the flow rate. This phenomenon has practical relevance in the fuel feed system in space vehicles and liquid rockets. In the present study, the flow field in circular tanks with different inclined angle of bottom surface is studied to investigate drain flow characteristics and to see how the vortex pattern changes with inclined angle. Flow visualization studies using PIV to determine the flow patterns in a circular tank are carried out after imparting rotation to the liquid in the tank. Experiment results show the inclined angle equal to and greater than 20 degree, the air core is completely suppressed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 2010 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, APISAT 2010
PublisherNorthwestern Polytechnical University
Pages215-218
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9787561228999
StatePublished - 2010
Event2010 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, APISAT 2010 - Xi'an, China
Duration: 13 Sep 201015 Sep 2010

Publication series

NameProceedings of 2010 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, APISAT 2010

Conference

Conference2010 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, APISAT 2010
Country/TerritoryChina
CityXi'an
Period13/09/1015/09/10

Keywords

  • Air core
  • Inclined plate
  • PIV
  • Suppression of air core
  • Vortexing

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