Vortex Suppression through Drain Port Sizing

Abstract

This paper reports on an experimental study motivated by the issue of vortex formation in fuel tanks of liquid propulsion rockets. In this study, vortex funnel (vortex-air core) formation during draining of liquids from cylindrical tanks is suppressed by means of a simple, yet effective method of controlling or adjusting the size of the base drain port. This is particularly relevant in spacecraft and rocket applications where suppression of such vortex-air core is very much warranted because of the possible drain port blockage they cause and the consequent adverse impact (of vortices) on the generation of propulsive thrust. It is found that in the range of rotational speeds provided to the liquid column (between 120 and 200 rpm) in a cylindrical tank, for