Modeling and Simulation of Fuel Sloshing in Tank by Pendulum Model

The aim of this article is to present the methodology for modeling and simulation of start effects in spacecraft or satellite's propulsion system on the fuel sloshing in the tank by pendulum model in microgravity conditions. In other words, the main aim of this paper is pure sloshing study of fuel and ullage gas relative movement, neglecting the role of Propellant Management Device (PMD). To this end, fuel sloshing in tank is performed by utilizing the Fluent software based on pendulum model. Firstly, algorithm inputs are determined (exiting input, fuel and ullage gas volume, loading, dimensional specifications, etc.); then, tank is modeled and designed and, finally, fuel sloshing simulation in micro-gravity conditions is developed. Fuel sloshing modeling and simulation outputs include determining the sloshing damping rate and its value in the simulation at 20 sec, velocity variation contour, velocity direction contour in the tank, and also ullage gas and fuel relative location in 0.2, 0.4, and 1 sec. The accuracy of the obtained results has been evaluated with the similar experimental results.