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http://www.hitechcae.com/case-studies/cfd/cfd-analysis-of-air-flow-inside-oil-tanks.php

CFD Analysis of Air Flow inside Oil Tanks

Case Study Highlights
Client Profile:
Cement Manufacturer, India
Objective:
To study the air flow inside oil tanks provided to
scavenge the fuel vapors through the outlet.
Challenges:
=
Identifying and developing simulation domain

from the CAD model

=
Application of suitable boundary conditions and

selection of appropriate turbulence model to

ensure result accuracy
Solution:
The tank designed for oil storage was first modeled
through CAD tools and the simulation domain was
identified to obtain the air distribution across the
tank.
Software Used : ANSYS Fluent 14

Cement industries are prominent in consuming energy

and its efficient utilization has always been a matter of
priority. The total energy costs averages from 30 to 40
percent of the total cement production costs, urging
manufacturers to adopt innovative solutions to
minimize energy consumption.
Oil storage tanks are prone to explosions during
instances of temperature rise in surrounding
environment. Due to a rise in atmospheric
temperature, there are chances of formation of oil
vapors, which remains trapped inside the tank. In
order to avoid hazardous situations, tanks are always
provided with vents to allow the trapped gases to
escape from the tank.
One of the leading offshore equipment manufacturers
in Australia developed an oil storage tank that involved
forced induction of air through the inlet, assisting in
scavenging the gases from different compartments
separated by baffles through the outlet.

The Solution
The oil tank was developed through CAD tools and the
air flow domain was identified based on the oil height
level. Baffles separating the tank in compartments
were also modeled and the air flow was simulated,
considering required boundary condition and the
turbulence model. It was observed that the air flow was
sufficient in first two compartments, yet, there were
recirculating zones, reducing the flow velocity in other
compartments.
Also, it was measured that the pressure in the first two
compartments were comparatively higher, due to
accumulation of air due to recirculation.This solution
can also be provided using OpenFOAM, STAR CCM+,
Abaqus CFD, COMSOL Multiphysics.

Benefits
=
The results obtained pointed to the possibility of

oil vapor entrapment and subsequent possibility of

hazardous situations
=
Reduced the number of trials needed to perform

physical tests
=
Decreased cost of manufacturing different baffles

to optimize the air flow

About Hi-Tech

Author: Mahul Patel

CFD Consultant

Hi-Tech CAE is a division of Hi-Tech Outsourcing Services, a pioneer engineering outsourcing company since 1992
based in India & USA. It provides expert Computer Aided Engineering - CAE consulting services for engineering /
product design analysis by modeling & simulation.
The primary services extended include Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), product
design optimization and value engineering services to Automotive, Building / Construction, Process industry, Power
Generation, Manufacturing & Heavy Engineering industries.

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Santa Clara, CA 95054

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