ABSTRACT

This study presents results of an experimental study on three-dimensional sloshing phenomenon.

The experimental facility used in this study was driven by six 15kw electric motors. The maximum load including dynamic load for this platform was estimated 4 tons. Six degrees of freedom of ship motion can be simulated with this platform. The 1/70 model of a 138,000 m3 LNG carrier was used to get the results. Single and coupled motion tests were carried out. The 17 pressure gauges were installed on the model. Each test was lasted for 5 minutes. The maximum pressure, mean pressure, the mean of 1/10 highest pressure, and the mean of 1/3 highest pressure for 17 locations were presented in this paper. The experimental results showed that this sloshing platform is very reliable to get the desired data for design of LNG carriers.

INTRODUCTION

The demand for natural gas is getting bigger and bigger. The natural gas was of a quarter of the world energy consumption in 1999 according to a statistics. Its consumption is expected to be increased from the environmental point of view. It is almost pollution free energy. As a result, the world fleet of LNG carriers has also increased accordingly. The efficiency of the transportation can be increased if designers come up with the idea of increased LNG tank size. This may, in turn, require technological advancement on several issues concerning draft limitations, increase of propulsion efficiency and maneuvering ability. During the operation in the ocean, sloshing can be one of the very important issues due to its substantial impact on the tank wall and structures. The sloshing phenomenon has drawn much attention due to its practical as well as academic interests for a long time in various engineering as well as scientific fields.

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