Abstract
acceleration, due to which fuel inside the tank is always in motion- the phenomenon being called sloshing. Under different dynamic conditions, the fuel moves away from the fuel pump suction area which causes fuel starvation and decreases the performance of the car, sometimes even stalling the engine. This problem arises when the tank has less amount of fuel. To solve the problem of fuel starvation and unbalancing due to sloshing, internal barriers inside the tank called baffles are designed and simulated for different orientations and height to observe the reduction in the effect of sloshing. Case studies of fuel tank filled with gasoline liquid have been analyzed and CFD analysis is performed by using Fluent® to visualize the sloshing pattern with baffles and without baffles. The impact of the orientation of baffles, during cornering, on fuel starvation is observed which helps in deciding the location of the fuel pump. Height of baffles is varied to compare the reduction in turning moment on the wall of the tank.
It was observed that the use of baffles in the tank helps in eliminating the problem of fuel starvation at the fuel pump, making the fuel available for the engine even during cornering, acceleration, and braking. The turning moment on the wall of the fuel tank during cornering is also reduced by the use of baffles.
Keywords: sloshing, fuel starvation, turning moment, CFD simulation, baffles