Numerical Investigation of the Fuel Tank Sloshing Condition of a Commercial Vehicle

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of baffles on fuel sloshing behavior within truck fuel tanks using numerical simulations. The volume of the fluid multiphase model is employed to analyze the flow dynamics of 25% diesel fuel in a 250 L tank, modeled in a 3D domain. Two configurations were compared: a tank with baffles and one without. The primary focus is to analyze fuel distribution within the intake port region during vehicle acceleration and deceleration maneuvers. The simulated scenario mimics a realistic driving situation. The vehicle accelerates from 0 km/h to 60 km/h over 10 s, followed by a 3-s braking period to reach a complete stop (0 km/h) at the 13-s mark. The simulation then observes the fuel behavior within the tank for an addi-tional 7 s while the vehicle remains stationary. Results reveal significant differences in fuel behavior between baffled and unbaffled tanks. In the absence of baffles, the sloshing motion is substantial, leading to a complete depletion of fuel in the intake port region for a duration of 3 s during both the acceleration and deceleration phases (between 10 and 13 s). Compared to a standard tank, the presence of baffles significantly reduced the sloshing amplitude by approximately 70%. Furthermore, baffles led to a 50% decrease in pressure variations on the tank walls. Temporary fuel starvation can negatively impact engine performance and combustion efficiency. Conversely, the presence of baffles within the tank effectively mitigates sloshing and ensures continuous fuel presence at the intake port the entire simulation. This suggests that baffles play a crucial role in maintaining a stable and consistent fuel supply to the engine, even during dynamic vehicle maneuvers.