Improving the seismic performance of base-isolated liquid storage tanks with supplemental linear viscous dampers

Large tanks are extensively used for storing water,petrochemicals and fuels.Since they are often cited in earthquake-prone areas,the safe and continuous operation of these important structures must be ensured even when severe earthquakes occur,since their failure could have devastating financial and socio-environmental consequences.Base-isolation has been widely adopted for the efficient seismic protection of such critical facilities.However,base-isolated tanks can be located relatively close to active faults that generate strong excitations with special characteristics.Consequently,viscous dampers can be incorporated into the isolation system to reduce excessive displacement demands and to avoid overconservative isolator design.Nonetheless,only a few studies have focused on the investigation of seismic response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks in conjunction with supplemental viscous dampers.Therefore,the impact of the addition of supplemental linear viscous dampers on the seismic performance of tanks isolated by single friction pendulum devices is investigated herein.Four levels of supplemental damping are assessed and compared with respect to isolators′displacement capacity and accelerations that are transferred to the tanks.

Parametric study of gas−liquid two-phase flow field in horizontal stirred tank

Based on Fluent software,the gas−liquid two-phase flow in the horizontal stirred tank was simulated with SST k−ωturbulence model,Eulerian−Eulerian two-fluid model,and multi-reference flame method.The mixing process in the tank was calculated by tracer method.The results show that increasing the rotating speed or gas flow is conducive to a more uniform distribution of the gas phase and accelerates the mixing of the liquid phase.When the rotating speed exceeds 93 r/min,the relative power demand remains basically constant.The change in the inclination angle of the upper impeller has minimal effect on the gas phase distribution.When the inclination angle is 50°,the relative power demand reaches the maximum.An appropriate increase in the impeller distance from the bottom improves the gas holdup and gas phase distribution but increases the liquid phase mixing time.

Experimental study of power consumption, local characteristics distributions and homogenization energy in gas–liquid stirred tank reactors

In this paper, the power consumption, the vertical local void fraction and the local gas–liquid interfacial area are investigated in the aerated stirred tank reactors(STRs) equipped with a rigid-flexible impeller. Meanwhile, the regressive correlation based on power consumption and interfacial area is proposed. Then a novel homogenization energy(HE = RSDPtm) expression based on power consumption and local interfacial area is redefined and used to indicate the mixing efficiency. The optimal operating mode is selected based on the change of the HE value. This paper can provide research ideas for structural optimization of stirred reactors.

Dynamic response of liquid-filled rectangular tank with elastic appendages under pitching excitation

Nonlinear dynamics of liquid-filled rectangular tank with elastic appendages are studied. Based on the assumption of ideal fluid, the coupling dynamic equations of rigid tank, elastic appendages and liquid fuel are derived using H-O principle. In the case of pitch excitation, the modified potential function and wave height function are introduced to describe the moving boundary of fluid, then Galerkin＇s method is used to discretize the dynamic equations into ordinary differential equations. The natural frequencics of the coupling system are formulated in liquid depth, the length of the tank, etc. The formulae are confirmed by numerical simulations, which also show that the effects of liquid and elastic appendages on the attitude angular of rigid.

An Improved Spectral Analysis Method for Fatigue Damage Assessment of Details in Liquid Cargo Tanks

Errors will be caused in calculating the fatigue damages of details in liquid cargo tanks by using the traditional spectral analysis method which is based on linear system, for the nonlinear relationship between the dynamic stress and the ship acceleration. An improved spectral analysis method for the assessment of the fatigue damage in detail of a liquid cargo tank is proposed in this paper. Based on assumptions that the wave process can be simulated by summing the sinusoidal waves in different frequencies and the stress process can be simulated by summing the stress processes induced by these sinusoidal waves, the stress power spectral density(PSD) is calculated by expanding the stress processes induced by the sinusoidal waves into Fourier series and adding the amplitudes of each harmonic component with the same frequency. This analysis method can take the nonlinear relationship into consideration and the fatigue damage is then calculated based on the PSD of stress. Take an independent tank in an LNG carrier for example, the accuracy of the improved spectral analysis method is proved much better than that of the traditional spectral analysis method by comparing the calculated damage results with the results calculated by the time domain method. The proposed spectral analysis method is more accurate in calculating the fatigue damages in detail of ship liquid cargo tanks.

UNITIVE ANALYSIS SCHEMES ON PROBLEMS OF MULTIPLE MOVING BOUNDARIES WITH 3-D LIQUID-SOLID MULTIPLE NONLINEAR COUPLING FOR UPLIFT OF ANCHOREDLIQUID STORAGE TANKS

In the paper, 3-D analysis method with unitive schemes is set up, which is used to resolve the uplift with multiple moving boundaries and multiple nonlinear coupling for anchored liquid storage tanks. hi it, an algorithm of quasi-harmonious finite elements for arbitrary quadrilateral of thin plates and shells is built up to analyze the multiple coupling problems of general thin plates and shells structures with three dimensions, the complementary equations for analyzing uplifting moving boundary problems are deduced. The axial symmetry and presumption of beam type mode are not used. In it, an algorithm is put forward for analyzing the Navier-Stokes problems of unsteady, three-dimensional, and viscous liquid with sloshing of moving boundary surfaces in large amplitude under ALE frame by scheme of time-split-steps to which linear potential theory is not applied. The algorithms can be used to analyze the solid-liquid multiple nonlinear coupling problems with 3-D moving boundary with friction in multiple places.

FREE BENDING VIBRATION OF ANNULAR CYLINDRICAL TANK PARTIALLY FILLED WITH LIQUID IN THE CONSIDERATION OF SURFACE WAVE

This paper studies the problem of free bending vibration of annular cylindricaltank partially filled with liquid in the consideration of surface wave.The exactformulae of the mode shape functions and frequencies are deduced.Results can beobtained by means of computer.The analysis shows that the effect of liquid on vibration of annular cylindrical tank is equivalent to different generalized distributivemasses attached to inner and outer cylinders respectively.

Review on the Progress and Issues in Liquid Tank Sloshing of Ships

With the development of large liquid cargo ships,liquid tank sloshing has gradually become a hot research topic in the area of shipping and ocean Engineering.Liquid tank sloshing,characterized by strong nonlinearity and randomness,not only affects the stability of the ship but also generates a huge impact force on the wall of the tank.To further investigate liquid tank sloshing,a comprehensive review is given on the research process of the most focused subjects of liquid sloshing.Summarizing the existing research will help to identify issues in the current field and provide useful references.The methods for investigating sloshing,the research progress and the situations worldwide are discussed.The advantages and defects of experiments and numerical simulations are also explored.The problems which need to be explored in the future are subsequently proposed.

Comparison of base-isolated liquid storage tank models under bi-directional earthquakes

Seismic response of ground supported baseisolated liquid storage tanks are evaluated under bi-directional earthquakes. The base-isolated liquid storage tanks are modeled using mechanical analogs with two and three lumped masses (Model 1 and Model 2). Two types of isolation systems, such as sliding system and elastomeric system, are considered for the present study. The isolation systems are modeled using Wen’s equation for hysteretic isolation systems. Response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks, evaluated through two different modeling approaches, is compared. Both the models predict similar sloshing displacement. The effect of interaction between the mutually perpendicular seismic responses of the isolator is investigated for both the models. It is observed that interaction affects the peak seismic response of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks significantly, under the bi-directional earthquake components.

Numerical investigation of liquid sloshing in FLNG membrane tanks with various bottom slopes

To analyze the bottom slope's effect on the sloshing liquid in floating liquefied natural gas(FLNG)membrane tanks,a simulation model is built and applied to describe the liquid behavior in a sloshing container.The free surface motion is simulated by the volume-of-fluid method and the standard k-εturbulence model.Experimental data and numerical results from references are used to validate the accuracy of the proposed simulation model.To study the influence of the sloped bottom on the liquid sloshing,different slope sizes and filling ratios are numerically simulated at the lowest natural frequency.The results reveal that the natural frequency can be determined by the average peak values of hydrodynamic parameters.The natural frequency and pressure loading on the tank walls decrease with the increase in the slope size.The peak pressure on the wall decreases by 5.45 kPa with the increase in the slope ratio from 5%to 20%.However,the relationship between the peak pressure and slope ratio is more significant with lower filling rates.Liquid behavior is more stable and independent with the change of the slope structure at a high filling rate(60%).The results of numerical simulation and modeling are expected to provide reference data for the design and operation of the FLNG system.

Calculation of the Added Mass of a Liquid Tank's Bulkheads

The added mass coefficient and the water level index formulas for the same-phase and anti-phase vibration of rectangular liquid tanks' bulkheads were derived based on dry mode theory. Three fluid-structure interaction numerical methods including Fluid FEM and Fluid BEM were used in this case. The comparison of numerical and theoretical results by the present method shows that ANSYS/Fluid80 is more credible, the NASTRAN/Virtual Mass Method is more suitable for engineering calculations and results of the same-phase vibration by the present method is more accurate.

Bifurcation of elastic tank-liquid coupled sloshing system

The nonlinear equations of an elastic tank-liquid coupling system subjected to the external excitation are established.By means of the multi-scale method and the singularity theory,the bifurcation behaviors of the system are investigated and analyzed.The various nonlinear dynamical behaviors of the coupling system are obtained,which can further explain the relationship between the physical parameters and the bifurcation solutions.The results provide a theoretical basis to the realization of the parameter optimal control.

SOLID-LIQUID SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN AGITATED TANK WITH DRAFT TUBE

Solid-liquid suspension in an agitated tank with a draft tube was investigated witha newly developed infrared turbidimeter for measuring solid concentration.The diameter of theflared inlet transition tube and the distance from the inlet to the tank bottom are two importantparameters for draft tube design The NAX-4 impeller,developed in this study,is characterized byits high flow efficiency and low power consumption.Some modifications are made to the Bald′smodel by considering the effects of solid concentration and fluid viscosity on the critical speed forcomplete off-bottom suspension.The modified equation fits the experimental data satisfactority andcan be used in scale-up

Effects of Perforated Baffle on Reducing Sloshing in Rectangular Tank:Experimental and Numerical Study

A liquid sloshing experimental rig driven by a wave-maker is designed and built to study liquid sloshing problems in a rectangular liquid tank with perforated baffle. A series of experiments are conducted in this experimental rig to estimate the free surface fluctuation and pressure distribution by changing external excitation frequency of the shaking table. An in-house CFD code is also used in this study to simulate the liquid sloshing in three-dimensional （3D） rectangular tank with perforated baffle. Good agreements of free surface elevation and pressure between the numerical results and the experimental data are obtained and presented. Spectral analysis of the time history of free surface elevation is conducted by using the fast Fourier transformation.

Seismic assessment of unanchored steel storage tanks by endurance time method

Liquid storage tanks are essential structures that are often located in residential and industrial areas; thus an assessment of their seismic performance is an important engineering issue. In this paper, the seismic response ofunanchored steel liquid storage tanks is investigated using the endurance time （ET） dynamic analysis procedure and compared to responses obtained for anchored tanks under actual ground motions and intensifying ET records. In most cases, the results from ground motions are properly obtained with negligible differences using ET records. It is observed that uplifting of the tank base, which is closely related to the tank aspect ratio, has the greatest significance in the responses of the tank and can be predicted with reasonable accuracy by using currently available ET records.

Numerical simulation of viscous liquid sloshing by moving-particle semi-implicit method

A meshless numerical simulation method, the moving-particle semi-implicit method （MPS） is presented in this paper to study the sloshing phenomenon in ocean and naval engineering. As a meshless method, MPS uses particles to replace the mesh in traditional methods, the governing equations are discretized by virtue of the relationship of particles, and the Poisson equation of pressure is solved by incomplete Cholesky conjugate gradient method （ICCG）, the free surface is tracked by the change of numerical density. A numerical experiment of viscous liquid sloshing tank was presented and compared with the result got by the difference method with the VOF, and an additional modification step was added to make the simulation more stable. The results show that the MPS method is suitable for the simulation of viscous liquid sloshing, with the advantage in arranging the particles easily, especially on some complex curved surface.

Seismic performance evaluation of VCFPB isolated storage tank using real-time hybrid simulation

Variable curvature friction pendulum bearings(VCFPB)effectively reduce the dynamic response of storage tanks induced by earthquakes.Shaking table testing is used to assess the seismic performance of VCFPB isolated storage tanks.However,the vertical pressure and friction coefficient of the scaled VCFPB in the shaking table tests cannot match the equivalent values of these parameters in the prototype.To avoid this drawback,a real-time hybrid simulation(RTHS)test was developed.Using RTHS testing,a 1/8 scaled tank isolated by VCFPB was tested.The experimental results showed that the displacement dynamic magnification factor of VCFPB,peak reduction factors of the acceleration,shear force,and overturning moment at bottom of the tank,were negative exponential functions of the ratio of peak ground acceleration(PGA)and friction coefficient.The peak reduction factors of displacement,acceleration,force and overturning moment,which were obtained from the experimental results,are compared with those calculated by the Housner model.It can be concluded that the Housner model is applicable in estimation of the acceleration,shear force,and overturning moment of liquid storage tank,but not for the sliding displacement of VCFPBs.

Investigation of droplet breakup in liquid–liquid dispersions by CFD–PBM simulations：The influence of the surfactant type

The accurate prediction of the droplet size distribution(DSD)in liquid–liquid turbulent dispersions is of fundamental importance in many industrial applications and it requires suitable kernels in the population balance model.When a surfactant is included in liquid–liquid dispersions,the droplet breakup behavior will change as an effect of the reduction of the interfacial tension.Moreover,also the dynamic interfacial tension may be different with respect to the static,due to the fact that the surfactant may be easily desorbed from the droplet surface,generating additional disruptive stresses.In this work,the performance of five breakup kernels from the literature is assessed,to investigate their ability to predict the time evolution of the DSD and of the mean Sauter diameter,when different surfactants are employed.Simulations are performed with the Quadrature Method of Moments for the solution of the population balance model coupled with the two-fluid model implemented in the compressible Two Phase Euler Foam solver of the open-source computational fluid dynamics(CFD)code Open FOAM v.2.2.x.The time evolution of the mean Sauter diameter predicted by these kernels is validated against experimental data for six test cases referring to a stirred tank with different types of surfactants(Tween 20 and PVA 88%)at different concentrations operating under different stirrer rates.Our results show that for the dispersion containing Tween 20 additional stress is generated,the multifractal breakup kernel properly predicts the DSD evolution,whereas two other kernels predict too fast breakup of droplets covered by adsorbed PVA.Kernels derived originally for bubbles completely fail.

Performances of Different Turbulence Models for Simulating Shallow Water Sloshing in Rectangular Tank

Liquid sloshing is a common phenomenon in the transportation of liquid-cargo tanks.Liquid waves lead to fluctuating forces on the tank walls.If these fluctuations are not predicted or controlled,for example,by using baffles,they can lead to large forces and momentums.The volume of fluid(VOF)two-phase numerical model in Open FOAM open-source software has been widely used to model the liquid sloshing.However,a big challenge for modeling the sloshing phenomenon is selecting a suitable turbulence model.Therefore,in the present study,different turbulence models were studied to determine their sloshing phenomenon prediction accuracies.The predictions of these models were validated using experimental data.The turbulence models were ranked by their mean error in predicting the free surface behaviors.The renormalization group(RNG)k-ε and the standard k–ω models were found to be the best and worst turbulence models for modeling the sloshing phenomena,respectively;moreover,the SST k-ω model and v2-f k-ε results were very close to the RNG k-εmodel result.

THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON BUBBLE DIAMETER AND GAS HOLDUP IN AERATED STIRRED TANKS

Experiments were carried out in geometrically similar vessels with diameters of 0.287, 0.495 and 1.1m respectively. Bubble diameter distribution was measured with a dual electric conductivity probe placed in the tanks. Gas holdup was measured by spillover method. Considering the coalescence of bubbles in the upper circulation region of the aeration stirred tank, introducing the concepts of turbulence decay and effective viscosity of gas-liquid system into this work, and taking into account the equilibrium between the surface energy of the bubbles and the energy supplied by agitation, mathematical models for bubble diameter and mean gas holdup were derived. The mathematical models were confirmed by experimental data.