Advanced Space Propulsion CISAS Propulsion Group

The group capability in terms of sloshing investigation involves the creation of lumped-parameter models for representing sloshing tanks of different shapes. This type of simplified model has to be calibrated for each fill ratio of the reservoir into consideration.

This means that the model coefficients, such as sloshing mass, liquid inertial mass, distance of these masses from the CG, and other parameters, need to be specifically determined for each problem configuration.

Once these models are calibrated, they can provide useful data about the liquid behavior during specific critical manouvers or when the vehicle is subjected to defined accelerations. This is important to foresee the liquid behavior and understand which is the best way to control its motion during the different phases of a space mission.

This group applies CFD tools to the calibration of the lumped models for sloshing characterization. Moreover, CFD is used to analyze the sloshing behavior and to compare it to the lumped model prediction.

The aim of these analyses is to validate CFD for sloshing applications, even when specific devices are used to damp liquid oscillations down (bladders, compartments, diaphragms, etc.)

These studies have a great potential in that they can reduce the amount of testing required, contributing to lower the system development costs.