Development of Floating Slosh Dampers for Propellant Tanks - FY18

Our previous year's result show one or more layers of floating particles provide significant damping but it is questionable whether the effect scales well to larger tanks. This is a major question that the yet to be analyzed data collected this year using a 28 inch diameter tank will help answer. Data taken last year show that particles with larger surface area to mass ratios provide better damping. For the same material type/density, particle diameter, and total mass of particles, it is shown that spheres, right cylinders, and then annular particles are progressively better at slosh suppression. This implies that the total surface area of the particles has a significant effect on slosh suppression. The test data obtained this year will help to clarify this effect as well. Finally, analysis of the recently obtained data will allow optimization of damper material density relative to the fluid. This is an effect which has not been previously examined.