Experimental analysis of linear and non-linear sloshing in cryogenic fluids with damping estimation

Nowadays, the success of space activities and exploration missions is conditioned by the operation of a spacecraft in compliance with the mission specifications. In particular, the operating conditions are strongly influenced by the technology implementing the management of the conventional and cryogenic propellants. In the case of the upper stages of launchers and satellites, the tank with its ancillary systems is the central equipment, involved in complex propellant handling operations performed in various phases of the mission. Consequently, the design process relies on the understanding of the propellant’s behaviour inside the tank, which requires knowledge about the propellant position, its time evolving topology and thermodynamic state. The purpose of this master thesis project is to characterize the behaviour of the free liquid surface under excitation in a reservoir containing a cryogenic fluid in saturation and subcooled conditions. Of particular interest are the determination of the external excitation determining the non-linear conditions (chaos and swirling) and the damping measurements resulting from such conditions. A preliminary parametric study would be done to assess the response of cryogenic fluid to the classical classification of sloshing modes proposed by Miles. The experimental characterization will be performed initially by visualization inspection and, successively, by Particle Image Velocimetry. The thermodynamic conditions will be monitored by temperature and pressure sensors instrumenting the sloshing cell.