Numerical Simulation of the Reorientation Process Under Different Conditions in a Vane-type Surface Tension Propellant Tank

The fuel tank, as a significant component for the propellant system in satellites, plays an important role in managing propellant and maintaining stability through its propellant management device (PMD). To analyze the effect of propellant volume fill ratios and acceleration conditions on the fluid flow in vane-type surface tension tanks, this study carried out computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model. The four fill ratios are 5%, 25%, 50%, and 75%; the four acceleration environments are bottom acceleration, lateral acceleration, reverse acceleration, lateral & reverse acceleration, and rotation condition. First, the contour and the interface of gas and liquid were tracked to evaluate the ability of the PMD. Second, the volume flow rate through the initial interface of gas and liquid was monitored to judge the sloshing intensity in the reorientation process. At last, the force in different simulation conditions was analyzed to further research fluid sloshing intensity. The results show reorientation process in the vane-type surface tension tank can be divided into two stages: the mutational stage and the stable stage. The fill ratio and the acceleration condition influence the value and duration of the max flow rate through the initial interface, and further influence the sloshing intensity in the reorientation process. By comparing the results at lateral acceleration, reverse acceleration, and lateral & reverse acceleration with the same fill ratio, it can be found that the acceleration in the Z direction has a stronger influence on the reorientation process.