Experimental investigations on the sloshing-induced pressure drop in tanks for hydrogen-powered aircraft

In this paper, an experimental study is conducted to investigate the pressure drop induced by sloshing in aircraft tanks powered by liquid hydrogen. Sloshing refers to the movement of the free liquid surface within partially filled containers, and it can result in adverse thermodynamic consequences, including sudden pressure drops that impact the safety of both the tank and the pumping system. This activity involved testing a slice of a capsular tank, which served as a surrogate for a two-dimensional model. The purpose of the test was to verify the pressure drop that occurs when the tank undergoes vertical motion induced by an electromechanical shaker. The analyzed fluid represents a biphasic combination of water and water vapor, serving as a surrogate for liquid hydrogen. The experimental data allows the quantification of thermal stratification trends and pressure drop variations under various sloshing regimes. These experimental findings also lead to the development of a sloshing-dependent-parameter differential model that accounts for both pressure drop and pressurization effects.