Photo by V. Miller
Dec. 13, 2006
Sloshing Fuel
Splish Splash: Fuel Sloshing in Rockets and Automobiles
Joel Tinker, 12, New Market, Ala.
Finalist, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2006
Project background: Scientists who study motor vehicle crashes have suggested that a phenomenon known as fuel sloshing, in which fuel splashes forcefully against the side of a tank, may contribute to SUV rollovers and other accidents. Joel wondered why fuel sloshing happens and how it might be controlled. He hypothesized that the size and shape of the fuel tank, the amount of fuel in the tank, and the speed and maneuvers of a vehicle contribute to fuel sloshing.
Tactics and results: Joel put water in some rectangular and cylindrical containers. He filled the containers to various levels. He then jiggled the containers and observed how much the water sloshed with different motions.
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| Photo by V. Miller |
Joel found that sloshing increased when the water was deeper, and that less sloshing occurred in small containers than in larger ones. He also discovered that he could reduce sloshing by putting floating balls and devices called baffles in the tanks.
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