Experimental study on the effect of centrally positioned vertical baffles on sloshing noise in a rectangular tank

Abstract

Liquid sloshing in fuel tanks has become a major source of noise in hybrid vehicles under various driving conditions. Flow dampening devices like baffles proved to be a good solution to control sloshing induced loads on the tank walls. But their effect on sloshing noise is yet to be understood clearly. This study provides insights into generation mechanisms of sloshing noise in a rectangular tank, in the presence of vertical baffles, in different sloshing regimes. Three types of vertical baffle configurations, placed at the center of the tank are considered for this study, which are immersed bottom-mounted, flush mounted and surface-piercing bottom mounted baffle configurations. Different sloshing regimes are created by applying longitudinal periodic excitation at various frequencies to the tank. The synchronized measurement of parameters like dynamic pressure on the tank walls and sound pressure level is done along with high-speed camera images of fluid motion. This study helps in understanding the effect of vertical baffles on sloshing noise, for various fill levels in different sloshing regimes.