Anti-slosh effect of baffle configurations and air pressure on liquid sloshing in partially filled tank trucks

Abstract

Abstract The phenomenon of liquid sloshing inside partially filled tank trucks adversely affects the stability of the tank trucks. In order to mitigate the negative effects of liquid sloshing inside the tank, this study proposes several baffle configurations and investigates their anti-slosh effect on liquid sloshing. First, a numerical model of liquid sloshing is established. Then, the effectiveness of the numerical model is validated by comparing the results of free surface deformation, wall pressure, and sloshing frequency obtained from simulations and experiments under identical conditions. During the research process, it was found that the air pressure formed in locally sealed spaces within the tank also plays a positive role in suppressing liquid sloshing. The research results indicate that, under low fill volumes, baffles fixed at the bottom of the tank are more effective in suppressing liquid sloshing inside the tank, while under high fill volumes, baffles fixed at the top of the tank are more effective. Considering the tank’s airtightness, the air pressure formed in locally sealed spaces within the tank plays an important role in suppressing liquid sloshing when baffles are fixed at the top of the tank and the fill volume is high.