Sloshing Dynamics in a Cylindrical Tank Under Varying Ullage Pressures
ASME 2026 45th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering OMAE2026, Tokyo, Japan, 7 - 12 June 2026, pp.1-6, (Full Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
- City: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
- Page Numbers: pp.1-6
- Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The sloshing behavior of a partially filled cylindrical tank was investigated under atmospheric and varying ullage pressure conditions. A range of excitation frequencies (including the first two natural frequencies) was applied to capture the critical free surface deformations under harmonic motion. The study focused on how differences in the air phase influence the fluid motion and pressure distribution along the tank walls. Three ullage pressure conditions were examined: (i) atmospheric pressure, (ii) elevated air pressure, and (iii) reduced air pressure within the tank’s ullage region. Various flow field in partially filled cylindrical tank causes in different propagation characteristics such as sloshing height on tank wall. The regions of maximum pressure around the free surface were identified and analyzed to characterize their spatial distribution along the cylindrical wall. Experimental observations revealed that swirling flow motion dominated near the critical oscillation frequencies. To monitor this behavior, pressure sensors with identical sensitivity but different angular orientations were installed around the tank’s horizontal circumference. Further, two different perspective recordings of this phenomenon are provided to enhance clarity in detail. The results demonstrate that changes in ullage pressure significantly influence the rate and pattern of fluid transfer within the tank, particularly during the development of swirling motion.