Sloshing analysis and anti-sloshing structure optimization of a wing fuel tank

Volume of fluid (VOF) method was used to simulate the free level change of fuel sloshing in a multi-compartment wing fuel tank. Fuel sloshing characteristics of the tank under multiple operating conditions were analyzed. According to the analysis results，the rib spill port configuration，the diameter of oil strings and the number of ribs were selected as design variables， and the relative displacement amplitude of fuel mass center was taken as the optimization objective to design the orthogonal experimental design. The rib configuration of the tank was optimized by range analysis and ANOVA，and the optimal rib configuration was obtained. The results showed that VOF method can accurately and effectively simulate the fuel flow characteristics，and the fuel tank rib can effectively restrain fuel sloshing. By comparing the optimized rib tank with the initial tank，the average relative displacement of the fuel mass center was reduced by 66.54% and the maximum displacement by 46.43%. The displacement of fuel mass center was effectively controlled and the anti-sloshing effect of wing tank was improved. © 2024 Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA). All rights reserved.