Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 147-160, 2020.

Available online at www.jafmonline.net, ISSN 1735-3572, EISSN 1735-3645.

DOI: 10.29252/jafm.13.01.30202

Rankine Vortex Formation during Draining: A New Twin

Port Suppression Strategy
M. Prabhu1, R. Ajith Kumar1†, T. H. Gopikrishnan 1, P. J. Deshpande2,
U. Anandhakrishnan1, A. S. Kiran1 and R. P. Govindu1
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, India
2 UAV Division, CSIR-NAL Bengaluru, India

†Corresponding Author Email: amritanjali.ajith@gmail.com

(Received February 25, 2019; accepted June 1, 2019)

ABSTRACT

This paper reveals the results of a study of vortex air core formation (Rankine vortex) when a rotated liquid
(water) column in a cylindrical vessel is drained through two ports located at equal eccentricity (e) at the vessel
base (diameter, 𝑑1 and 𝑑2 ) simultaneously; 𝑑1 is fixed whereas 𝑑2 is varied. Just before draining, a rotation (n
rpm) is provided to the liquid column in controlled conditions. As draining progresses, when the liquid level
reaches certain height called critical height (ℎ𝑐 ), initially a surface dip forms which further develops in to a
vortex extending down till the drain port. Results show that critical height increases as the fluid rotation rate
increases at the lowest eccentricity. But, at higher eccentricities, ℎ𝑐 , exhibits more or less an increasing-
decreasing trend in most of the cases studied. Critical height is observed to be minimum for the largest value
of 𝑑2 (equal to 𝑑1 ) irrespective of the values of the speed of fluid rotation, liquid initial height and port
eccentricity. To particularly note, at the highest eccentricity, vortex formation is found to be completely
suppressed for all values of port diameter (𝑑2 ) and initial fluid rotation (n) as indicated by the near-zero critical
height values. The tangential velocity measurements using Particle Image Velocimetry are also reported. PIV
results obtained for certain cases with induced fluid rotation (normal draining and faster draining) correlate well
with the changes in the efflux (axial) velocity (deduced analytically) in these cases studied. The tangential
velocity along radial direction obtained (PIV) also indicated the type of vortex formed in normal and faster
draining cases. Video visualization of vortex formation carried out reveals that, vortex air core switching takes
place between the drain ports maintaining an arched or curvilinear surface profile apart from demonstrating the
nature of outlet flow discharge. All the vortex air core formation studies so far carried out were invariably with
single drain port except the preliminary novel study by the same author group and the present study is a detailed
extension of that novel study.

Keywords: Vortexing; Twin drain ports; Liquid draining; Critical height; Time of emptying; PIV; Flow
visualization.

NOMENCLATURE

d diameter of tank hlo head loss in no rotation case

d1 primary port diameter n rotational Speed
d2 secondary port diameter td time of emptying the tank with rotation
d eq single equivalent port diameter to time of emptying the tank without
e eccentricity rotation
g acceleration due to gravity U t* non dimensional tangential velocity
hc critical height t arbitrary time instance
hi initial height x distance measured along radial direction
hld head loss in rotation case
εd loss coefficient in rotation case
hls head loss due to swirl
εo loss coefficient in no rotation case
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1. INTRODUCTION Visualization studies using Particle Image

Velocimetry with and without suppressor was
Vortex air core formation occurs in many thermo- conducted by Mizuki et al. (2003). Water at room
fluid systems such as in liquid propulsion space temperature was used as the working fluid. They
systems, hydraulic pumping stations, sewage have used a dish type suppressor with suitable mesh
systems, metal casting process and nuclear reactors. size made of brass. Visualization PIV results indicate
When a rotated liquid column contained in a vessel that their proposed suppressor retards the rotational
is allowed to drain through an outlet, a vortex-gas component of velocity.
core develops as the liquid level reaches certain In the absence of initial rotation, Gowda et al. (1997)
height, ℎ𝑐 (known as critical height) which proved that vibrations along the horizontal plane can
subsequently extends down to the outlet partially induce vortex formation. This phenomenon was
blocking the outlet area. The immediate consequence observed only at the natural frequency of free surface
of this phenomenon is a reduction of the liquid flow oscillation and not at any other frequency. Horizontal
rate from the vessel/tank. In practical applications, vibration suppresses the vortex formation due to
this area blockage due to vortex formation is known rotations in the cases other than at natural frequency.
to cause serious undesirable effects and hence, all the At natural frequency, the vortex is not suppressed.
engineering attempts have been to evade it through Gowda et al. (2013) have methodically studied the
various means. effect of cylinder base inclination and reported a
Lubin and Springer (1967) have conducted limiting value of base inclination beyond which
experiments to study the formation of surface dip vortex formation is nullified for a particular drain
during liquid draining from a cylindrical tank port size value. The suggested reason for vortex
through a circular concentric port and found that the suppression is the asymmetry introduced into the
critical height is independent of the initial height of flow field due to the base inclination.
the liquid column for various liquid-liquid Fujimura et al. (2004) have reported the vortex break
combinations. Furthermore, they derived an down phenomenon occurring in a cylindrical vessel.
expression of the critical height as a function of the Visualization was performed by these authors to
discharge flow rate at the drain outlet and liquid capture the salient flow features. In their experiments
density ratio for a given drain outlet diameter. using a cylindrical vessel with top end wall and,
Odgaard (1986) has derived an equation for critical bottom end wall and side wall rotating at different
height of vortex air core formation based on a angular velocities, it is revealed that the existence
Rankine vortex model and found that ℎ𝑐 is a function and motion of the vortex break down bubble depends
of Froude number, Circulation number, Reynolds on the ratio between the wall angular velocities. At
number and Weber number. Takahashi et al. (1988) large value of the angular velocity ratio, bubble
have experimentally studied the onset conditions for ceases to exist.
the occurrence of vortex-induced gas entrainment in
simple water suction flow into a vertical pipe in a Mohammadi et al. (2012) have studied vortex
cylindrical tank and have suggested empirical formation employing bell-mouthed drain-port
criteria for submergence height based on rotational situated at center of the bottom of the test tank along
Froude number and Froude number. Baum and Cook the cylinder longitudinal axis. Authors proposed
(1975) have experimentally determined the introduction of multiple suppressor plates under the
conditions for the initiation of vortex formation with bell-mouth drain port to prevent vortex formation.
unstable gas core using four different fluids in a Their studies revealed that critical height and vortex
cylindrical vessel. strength can be significantly reduced using this
device. In their study, an analytical expression based
Gluck et al. (1966) studied the dependence of gas on Bernoulli equation was formulated and proposed
ingestion height on various non- dimensional to predict the critical height in a case where vortex
parameters. The gas ingestion height was found to be suppressor is employed.
dependent on Froude number, Reynolds number and
Bond number at different conditions of draining. The As Gowda (1996) reports, vessels with rectangular
height of the liquid at the tank wall, when gas first cross-section (including square) prevent vortexing
reaches the tank outlet, was been determined for a phenomenon. He argued that the presence of four
wide range of parameters in their investigation. sharp corners in the square and the rectangular
When the ratio of tank diameter to outlet diameter shapes coupled with the non-axisymmetry of the
lied between 20 and 32, the gas ingestion height was sections prevent the development of rotational
independent of the Reynolds number and Bond motion. In one of the past studies, the same author
number and for these conditions, it was found to be has shown that a device named dish-type suppressor
depended only on the Froude number. could eliminate vortex formation (Gowda et al.,
1996). Findings of Sohn et al. (2008) reveal that
Literature also cites some interesting works on the drain ports positioned at eccentric locations could
suppression of vortexing phenomenon. Abramson et control vortex formation.
al. (1962) found that by employing baffles, vortex
formation could be prevented. Drain port geometry AjithKumar et al. (2016) have revealed that size of
could influence vortex formation as reported by the drain outlet port has significant impact on the
Ramamurthi and Tharakan (1992) and in particular, critical height of the vortex air core formation in a
they found that stepped drain port prevents the recent study and they suggested that there exists a
formation of air core vortex. critical value of drain hole size below which
vortexing is annihilated. Quite interestingly,

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AjithKumar et al. (2017) also found that, at higher are employed. Acrylic base plate was glued to the
eccentricities, higher would be the critical port glass cylinder using silicone gel.
diameter for vortex suppression. To specifically
mention, all these previous investigations were on
the application of a single drain port except the
preliminary study by the same author group
(Gopikrishnan et al., 2017).
As aforementioned, two of the earlier works
executed out by Sohn et al. (2008) and AjithKumar
et al. (2016) have reported two feasible strategies for
the suppression of vortex air core formation by
means of employing suitable drain port size and port
eccentricity. But, when the drain port size is reduced
below a critical value to suppress vortexing, the
immediate consequence would be a diminution in the
rate of discharge flow resulting in an increased
draining time of the liquid. Quite interestingly, in the
case of eccentric ports, port eccentricity itself act as
a vortex suppressor (Sohn et al., 2008) and enables a
bigger critical port size as revealed by AjithKumar et
al. (2017). However, it is thought that, when we
employ a single eccentric drain port, eccentric (a)
location of the port is very likely to induce an
overturning couple in space systems such as in liquid
propellant tanks (Agarwal et al., 2014). This problem
could be eliminated by adopting two eccentric ports
for liquid draining from vessels/tanks. As an added
advantage, the liquid discharge flow rate from the
tank could also be enhanced thereby shortening the
time required to empty the tank. It is this aspect
which motivated the authors to take up the present
study with liquid draining enabled through two drain
ports which are eccentrically located at the base of a
water filled tank. In the current work, symmetric
twin port configuration is studied and is found to
provide a solution to this problem.
(b)
As already mentioned, all the previous investigations Fig. 1. (a) Test cylindrical tank with two
were carried out with only one drain port except the eccentric ports (b) Tank bottom base with two
preliminary novel study conducted by the same eccentric ports (plan view).
author group on twin port draining (Gopikrishnan et
al., 2017). In the present study, the preliminary study
To begin with, liquid (water) was filled in to the tank
conducted earlier is extended to detail much more
to an initial height (ℎ𝑖 ) and subsequently, a stirrer,
features of the vortexing phenomenon and are
which is a straight cylindrical rod made of stainless
reported in this paper. The central focus of this
steel (460 mm long with a diameter of 7.5 mm), was
investigation is to examine the features of the
inserted to the bottom of the water level keeping a
Rankine vortex phenomenon when a liquid (water)
bottom clearance of 5 mm. The liquid thus filled was
column is drained through two eccentrically located
induced with a rotation using the stirrer which was
drain ports synchronously which in turn is expected
driven by an adjustable speed electric motor.
to provide a novel suppression strategy where vortex
Rotation was provided for 2 minutes to impart a
suppression is achieved without reducing the
uniform angular velocity to the initially still water
discharge flow rate.
column. Experiments were conducted for various
angular velocities of stirrer in the range 40−200 rpm.
2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP DETAILS After 2 minutes, the stirrer was taken out carefully
without affecting the rotation, and the drain port
As shown in Fig. 1(a), the test cylinder glass tank stopper was removed. After the commencement of
used for study has an internal diameter (d) of 96 mm draining, a surface dip forms which quickly extends
and height (h) of 410 mm with its base made out of down to the drain port forming a vortex with an air
acrylic plate. At the bottom base of the tank, two core when the liquid level reaches a certain height
drain holes were drilled having different diameters which was measured as the critical height or critical
(𝑑1 and 𝑑2 ) as shown in Fig. 1(b) at eccentricity (e); submergence ( ℎ𝑐 ) in all the experiments. Liquid
𝑑1 was fixed at 10 mm whereas 𝑑2 was varied from height measurement was carried out using a
4 mm to 10 mm (Fig. 1(b)) to execute a wide range transparent graduated scale vertically attached to the
of experiments meeting the objectives of this study. outer cylinder wall. Subsequently, draining was
The drain port eccentricities are equal, viz., e as simultaneously enabled through two drain ports with
marked in Fig. 1(b); e = 11 mm, 21 mm and 31 mm diameters 𝑑1 and 𝑑2 where 𝑑1 was fixed (=10 mm)

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as mentioned earlier whereas 𝑑2 was varied and takes values 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10. It is
assuming values 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm. pointed out that, liquid emptying time with no
Henceforth, 𝑑1 is referred to as primary port and 𝑑2 rotation (𝑡𝑜 ) varies with 𝑑2 /𝑑1 ratio. More details on
is referred to as secondary port. Also, this study was variation of to with respect to d2/d1 ratio are furnished
conducted at three values of initial height of the towards later in this section. Results are given for
liquid column (ℎ𝑖 ), viz., 300 mm, 350 mm and 400 various non-dimensional eccentricities, viz., 𝐸 =
mm. The liquid used was clean water at room 𝑒/𝑑 (0.11, 0.22 & 0.32). Comparative statements
temperature (~28℃). The measured quantities in with respect to single drain port results appear in
this study are critical height and time of emptying. many parts of the text and hence, hereafter, single
To check the repeatability of experiments, each drain port is abbreviated as SDP.
experimental case was repeated 10 times. From such
experimental trails, the standard deviation values of
critical height and time of emptying were estimated.
Correspondingly, the un-certainty in the
measurements of these parameters, viz., critical
height and time of emptying was estimated to be 11%
and 7% respectively.
To have a better understanding of the physics of the
vortex flow, 2D Particle Image Velocimetry
technique was employed. PIV measurements were
performed at UAV Division, CSIR-NAL, Bangalore,
INDIA. PIV setup consists of a Litron make 100 mJ
and 100 Hz dual cavity Nd-YAG Laser setup, 4 MP
Phantom High Speed Camera and the light arm &
Laser optics to create a Laser sheet. A horizontal
Laser sheet passing through cross-section of the tank
at distance of 50 mm from the acrylic base was
created and the high speed camera was mounted
firmly to the Linous railing on top of the tank as
shown in Fig 2. Immediately after the removal of the
stirrer, drains ports were opened and 600 image pairs
were captured at a sampling rate of 50 Hz while tank
was emptying. The time delay between each image
pair was adjusted to 100 microseconds. TSI Insight
4G software was used to acquire and process the
images. Processing was done with 32 X 32
Fig. 2. Experimental Setup for PIV.
interrogation window with 50 % overlap with a
resolution of 1 mm in 185 X 155 mm field of view
along X and Y axes respectively. A time-averaging Figures 3(a) – 3(c) show the variation of 𝐻𝑐 w.r.t N
of the data was done over every 20 image pairs (0.4 at E = 0.11 for various values of ℎ𝑖 . In Fig. 3(a), the
second data is averaged). standard deviation values of critical height (non
dimensional) is shown for all 𝐷2 values. As could
For some typical cases, video shooting of the
draining process was conducted to visualize the be seen, 𝐻𝑐 registers an increasing trend as N is
vortex-air core formation and the features of the flow increased irrespective of 𝐷2 value. Higher critical
discharge at the drain port exit using SONY high submergence indicates an early vortex formation
denition camera (Make: SONY DSR-PD150) and the which also means that vortexing is more intense. As
video was recorded at 25 frames per second. Fig. 3(a) shows, an increase in 𝐷2 brings a reduction
in the critical height at a given value of N for all the
cases of ℎ𝑖 values tested. That means, the intensity
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION of vortexing diminishes as 𝐷2 increases and this
finding is quite contrary to SDP results. For the case
3.1 Quantitative Analysis of SDP, critical height is greater at larger drain port
size (AjithKumar et al., 2016; AjithKumar et al.,
Results are presented in Figs. 3(a) – 8(c) as 2017)
dimensionless critical submergence ( 𝐻𝑐 = ℎ𝑐 /ℎ𝑖 )
and dimensionless time of draining ( 𝑇𝑑 = 𝑡𝑑 /𝑡𝑜 ) Critical submergence variation with respect to fluid
versus non dimensional fluid rotation speed (N = n * rotation speed is nearly the same at all values of
1 minute) plots; 𝑡𝑑 is the time required to completely liquid initial heights as seen in Figs. 3(a) – 3(c). But,
drain out the liquid from the tank with liquid column results indicate that, with fluid rotation rate, there are
rotation and 𝑡𝑜 the time taken for complete liquid minor variations in the 𝐻𝑐 trends at different ℎ𝑖
draining without fluid rotation. In these figures values at this eccentricity (E = 0.11).
avaraged values of critical height and time of
Figures 4(a) – 4(c) show the dimensionless time
draining were utilised. To recapitulate, liquid is
needed to vacate the tank in correspondence with the
drained out through two drain holes simultaneously
critical submergence depicted in Figs. 3(a) – 3(c) (E
with non-dimensional diameters 𝐷1 and 𝐷2 ; 𝐷1 =
= 0.11) at all ℎ𝑖 values. In Fig. 4(a), the standard
𝑑1 /𝑑 is fixed (= 0.10) whereas 𝐷2 = 𝑑2 /𝑑 is varied

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Fig. 3. Dimensionless critical height versus N at Fig. 4. Dimensionless time of emptying versus N
E=0.11. at E = 0.11.

deviation values of time of draining (non 0.04 . No systematic trend is observed for the
dimensional) is shown for all 𝐷2 values. In general, variation of time of draining with 𝐷2 . Paradoxically,
𝑇𝑑 value rises with N similar to the trend of 𝐻𝑐 . as port size increases, dimensionless emptying time
Further, as seen in these figures, at all ℎ𝑖 values, 𝑇𝑑 also becomes larger for a SDP irrespective of its
is the highest for 𝐷2 = 0.06 and is the least for 𝐷2 = location (concentric/eccentric) because critical

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submergence increases (AjithKumar et al., 2016; attains the peak value after which it diminishes in
AjithKumar et al., 2017). At higher critical heights, general. At ℎ𝑖 = 400 mm, the case with 𝐷2 = 0.04
vortex air core forms early and blocks the drain port registers the highest critical submergence, viz.,
reducing the discharge flow rate. At reduced flow 𝐻𝑐 ~0.12 ((Fig. 7a) which is significantly lesser than
rate conditions, emptying time with liquid rotation the maximum critical height values at the smaller
(𝑡𝑑 ) becomes longer for an isolated (single) drain eccentricity values (= 11mm, 21mm); peak (highest)
outlet. 𝐻𝑐 value attenuates by about 78% in comparison
with the case at e = 11mm (E = 0.11). For higher 𝐷2
Moreover, the liquid emptying time with no rotation
values, vortexing is very weak as reflected in the
imparted (𝑡𝑜 ) decreases as port size increases for the
substantially reduced 𝐻𝑐 values at this ℎ𝑖 value. At
case of SDP at a given initial liquid column height
lower ℎ𝑖 values (= 350 mm and 300 mm), vortexing
(ℎ𝑖 ) because, in this case, discharge volume flow rate
intensity greatly drops as reflected in the
increases with bigger port size, flow rate being
significantly lower 𝐻𝑐 values of the order of 10−2
directly proportional to the port area. Hence,
for 𝐷2 = 0.08 and 0.10 (Figs. 7b & 7c). That means,
enhancement of 𝑇𝑑 is due to multiple reasons in that
extremely feeble vortex air core forms during the last
case, i.e. increase by virtue of both port diameter as
stages of liquid draining at this value of eccentricity.
well as higher 𝐻𝑐 value. Although, as mentioned
To highlight, vortex formation is totally suppressed
earlier, such a regular trend w.r.t drain port size is not
for D2=0.10 (case of identical twin drain ports)
seen in the case of twin drain port presumably due to
irrespective of the value of the initial liquid level.
the non-linear variations the liquid emptying time
The corresponding trends of time of emptying are
with fluid rotation and without it (𝑡𝑑 & 𝑡𝑜 ) undergo
shown in Figs. 8(a) – 8(c) where the overall trends
by virtue of the flow interference between the drain
could be seen to be noticeably different from the
ports during liquid draining process. This sporadic
graphical trends of emptying time at lower
trend in 𝑇𝑑 with respect to 𝐷2 is seen in all cases as
eccentricities previously dealt with. However, like
could be observed in Figs. 4(a) – 4(c).
for lower eccentricities, in this case also, there is no
At an increased value of port eccentricity, viz., E = organized trend for the variation of 𝑇𝑑 with respect
0.22, considerable changes occur in the critical to N at all values of initial liquid level ( ℎ𝑖 ). A
submergence values as depicted in Figs. 5(a) – 5(c) common feature observed is that, for 𝐷2 = 0.06 , for
irrespective of the value of initial liquid height. N > 120, 𝑇𝑑 drops down reaching substantially lower
Barring the case with 𝐷2 = 0.04 , 𝐻𝑐 at first values (𝑇𝑑 < 1.0) for all ℎ𝑖 values. For 𝐷2 = 0.08 ,
increases followed by a decreasing trend with N around N = 140, 𝑇𝑑 < 1.0 for ℎ𝑖 = 350 mm and 400
culminating in substantially smaller values at N = mm. Both these traits imply that process of draining
200. For 𝐷2 = 0.04, 𝐻𝑐 exhibits a sharp increase becomes quicker when rotation is imparted to the
at first at around N = 40 − 60 and then, gradually fluid.
escalates for N > 80 ending up in smaller but
The main thrust of this paper is to reveal the
notable values of 𝐻𝑐 (~0.4). That is, except for
advantage of employing two eccentric drain ports
𝐷2 = 0.04, vortexing is suppressed for 𝐷2 = 0.06,
instead of one in the matter of suppressing air core
0.08 and 0.10 at the highest speed tested (200 rpm).
vortex formation. As already mentioned earlier, even
This again is quite antithetical to the expectations
without any fluid rotation imparted (plane draining
because, as mentioned before, for SDP, at larger
case), the time of draining varies for different
port diameters, critical submergence will be more
𝑑1 − 𝑑2 port combinations. In this context, it is
which indicates a more acute vortexing
necessary to know the change in 𝑡𝑜 with 𝑑2 /𝑑1 ratio
phenomenon. It appears that, in twin port draining,
(= D) which is typically shown in Fig. 9 for all
one drain port acts as a vortex suppressor to the
eccentricity values considered in this study, viz., E =
other. Critical height reaches the peak in the
0.11, 0.22 and 0.32. As Fig. 9 shows, 𝑡𝑜 reduces as
rotational speed range 100 rpm < n < 150 rpm at
D increases (as expected) but in a non-linear fashion
all ℎ𝑖 and 𝐷2 values. To specifically highlight,
characterized by a steep decrease followed by a
𝐷2 = 0.10 represents the case of identical twin
relatively gradual reduction irrespective of the value
ports (equal diameters) in which case the vortex
of E. It could also be seen that, beyond D = 0.8, 𝑡𝑜
formation is significantly suppressed in the entire
remains nearly constant for higher values of
speed range excluding n = 120 rpm. The highest
E (= 0.22, 0.32). A concept of equivalent port is
critical submergence value observed in the all these
introduced here to facilitate the comparison between
cases (E = 0.22) is notably lower than that for E =
draining (plane draining) through twin ports with that
0.11. Figures 6(a) – 6(c) show the corresponding
through a single equivalent port located at the
dimensionless liquid emptying time (𝑇𝑑 ) where, a
eccentric primary port position. A single equivalent
gradually rising characteristic could be seen at all
port (diameter, 𝑑𝑒𝑞 ) is defined as the one which
values of ℎ𝑖 . To specifically note, in the speed
range 40 rpm < n < 120 rpm, 𝑇𝑑 goes below 1.0 for carries an area equal to the sum of the areas of
𝐷2 = 0.04 for ℎ𝑖 = 400 mm and 350 mm primary and second ports in no rotation case (plane
indicating a faster liquid draining process for the draining) such that discharge flow rate remains the
case with rotation compared to the case of no fluid same for both (twin ports and equivalent drain port)
rotation. in ideal conditions. Variation of 𝑡𝑜 with respect to D
for various eccentricities at ℎ𝑖 = 400 mm is given in
At still higher port eccentricity (E = 0.32), the course Fig. 9. In this plot, to values for various values of 𝐷𝑒𝑞
of the critical submergence changes as shown in (= 𝑑𝑒𝑞 /𝑑) at E = 0.11 are also incorporated. As an
Figs. 7(a) – 7(c). As N increases, 𝐻𝑐 increases, interesting note, for the lowest D value, time of

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Fig. 5. Dimensionless critical height versus N at Fig. 6. Dimensionless time of emptying versus N
E = 0.22. at E = 0.22.

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Fig. 7. Dimensionless critical height versus N at Fig. 8. Dimensionless time of emptying versus N
E = 0.32. at E = 0.32.

draining for twin port configuration is notably result indicates that, there could be some flow
different from that of the equivalent port by about interference effects between the drain ports even in
28% (of the time draining of the equivalent drain the absence of fluid rotation.
port) but at higher D values, the difference between
them substantially reduces as Fig. 9 shows. This For a specific 𝑑1 − 𝑑2 combination, variation of

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𝑡𝑜 with eccentricity varies within 16% to 20%. The Figure 11 shows the video snap shots of the initiation
trend is similar for other initial heights (but not and subsequent development of the vortex air core
presented here). (soon after the commencement of liquid draining)
from the instant of formation of surface dip at the 6𝑡ℎ
sec and subsequent critical submergence of vortex in
the very next instant (7𝑡ℎ sec) at E = 0.11, 𝐷2 = 0.04,
ℎ𝑖 = 350 mm & n = 200 rpm. In these photographic
images, long white line indicates the cylinder center
line and short line show the center line of the drain
port. These lines are marked to understand the
motion of the vortex air core and its sway to either
sides clearly. As draining progresses, vortex air core
swings about the vertical vessel axis to touch the
eccentrically located drain holes as seen in Fig. 11.
As seen here, in the 19𝑡ℎ sec, vortex air core shrinks
to form a dip, then extends again to form the full
vortex (t = 19.5 sec) and subsequently, it once again
assumes a kink shape (t = 19.9 sec) soon after which
it develops in to a full vortex (t = 20 sec). This
switching of air core possibly indicates alterations in
the flow structures in the near vicinity of the drain
outlets.
Fig. 9. Variation of 𝒕𝒐 with D for various
eccentricities. The switching of vortex air core could be explained
as follows. At the beginning of fluid rotation (drain
port in the closed condition) the vortex axis will be
aligned along the cylinder axis. But, when the liquid
draining starts, vortex axis shifts towards the
eccentric port axis. According to Piva et al. (2003),
at this point of migration of vortex axis towards the
eccentric port axis, vorticity is greatly amplified due
to gradient of axial flow (vertical direction) and the
free surface is drawn down. After migration of vortex
axis towards one of the drain ports, as could be seen
from Fig. 11, vortex air core withdraws back to its
dip configuration (become a small dip) before it
switches to the other drain port. This could be
possibly due to changes in flow condition around the
drain port while draining takes place. Authors
consider that this is a kind of nonlinear phenomenon
associated with vortexing for which exact reasons are
not known at present. Authors believe that further
studies are required to bring to light the flow physics
Fig. 10. Variation in Percentage of suppression behind the switching phenomenon of vortex air core.
with D. From the recorded video analysis, the average
switching frequency is found to be 1.3 Hz
Experiments were conducted with single equivalent For E = 0.32, a generic feature noticed is that, for
port for all D values to assess the effectiveness of 𝐷2 = 0.06, N > 120, 𝐻𝑐 drops down reaching lower
twin drain port draining. It was observed that values (see Figs.7a – 7c) together with shorter
compared to single port draining, twin ports can draining time (see Figs. 8a – 8c). As mentioned
suppress air core vortex more efficiently for all earlier, for 𝐷2 = 0.08, up to N = 140, 𝑇𝑑 value goes
configurations studied as shown in Fig. 10. In Fig. below unity at ℎ𝑖 = 350 mm and 400 mm which
10, S is defined as the ratio of difference in critical implies that quicker draining happens when the
height obtained with twin port and the corresponding liquid column is induced with rotation plausibly
single equivalent port to the critical height of suggesting a different mechanics of flow in the drain
equivalent drain port at ℎ𝑖 = 400, n = 200 rpm and E port vicinity. Video snapshots presented in Fig. 12
= 0.11; E = 0.11 is chosen because it is at this E value reflect this faster draining process as described
the maximum critical height is obtained. Figure 10 below.
reveals that highest suppression (S) of 43.6% is
obtained at D = 1.0 which is a significant value from Figure 12 shows the flow discharge features in a case
practical point of view and as D reduces, suppression where no vortex formation occurs (ℎ𝑐 = 0). As seen
of vortexing reduces. This result clearly suggests in this figure, at the instance when the drain ports are
that, for liquid draining, employing two drain ports opened, i.e. time t = 0 s, the water jet from the
could certainly be preferred over a single equivalent primary drain port appears wider (thicker) and
port for efficient suppression of vortexing turbulent compared to the jet discharge from the
phenomenon at identical conditions. secondary drain port. At t = 1 s, the jet from primary

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Fig. 11. Vortex air core switching between drain ports at E =0.11, D2=0.04, hi=350 mm & n=200 rpm.

Fig. 12. Drain port exit flow features in a fast draining case: D1 = 0.10, D2 = 0.06, E = 0.32, hi = 350 mm
and n=200 rpm.

drain port spreads out more like a sheet and along radial direction (X-axis, ’x’ being measured
subsequently at t = 3 s, it assumes back its near- from one wall to other connecting the cylinder
cylindrical shape. Further at t = 4 s, the discharge jet centre) at time instant t = 4.2 sec after opening of
becomes more wide again. Throughout the draining, drain ports. The results are shown for the two cases;
small surface dip (kink) kept appearing and one being faster draining (E = 0.32, 𝐷1 = 0.1 &
disappearing at some time instances which never 𝐷2 =0.06) and the other being the normal draining
developed in to a vortex air core. The water jet from (E = 0.11, 𝐷1 =0.1 & 𝐷2 =0.08) for n = 200 rpm and
the secondary port has a quite smooth cylindrical ℎ𝑖 = 350 mm. For the same imposed rotational
shape throughout the draining with diameter roughly velocity (n = 200 rpm), it can be seen from Fig. 13(a)
equal to the drain port diameter. To quantify these (faster draining case) that, fluid tangential kinetic
discharge observations, water discharge from both energy is notably lower than that for the normal
the drain ports were collected in a graduated beaker draining case (Fig. 14(a)). In figures (Figs. 13(b) and
and measured separately for rotation and no rotation 14(b)), tangential velocity distribution along radial
cases. It was found that, with rotation, mass of water direction is presented to distinguish the nature of
collected from the primary and secondary ports were vortex formation in these cases. In Fig. 13(b), (fast
30% and 2% greater respectively compared to the draining case), the eccentric drain port location
corresponding no rotation cases. This observation (primary port) is at E = 0.32, that is at 𝑥/𝑑 = 0.82.
corroborates well with the analytical deductions and From this figure it could be seen that, at about 𝑥/𝑑 =
the PIV results discussed in next section. 0.8, the tangential velocity distribution is
characterised by a dip (at 𝑥/𝑑~ 0.8) with increase in
3.2 Tangential Velocity Distributions velocity values towards either sides reaching peak
measured by Particle Image Velocimetry values at about 𝑥/𝑑 = 0.67 and 𝑥/𝑑 = 0.85. For
The PIV results presented in Figs. 13 and 14 𝑥/𝑑 < 0.67 and 𝑥/𝑑 > 0.85, the velocity value
represent the velocity contours superimposed with reduces. This implies a tendency to form a weak
stream lines and tangential velocity distribution Rankine vortex. A video analysis carried out for this

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M. Prabhu et al. / JAFM, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 147-160, 2020.

(a) (a)

(b) (b)
Fig. 13. PIV Image showing velocity contour & Fig. 14. PIV Image showing velocity contour &
tangential velocity along radial direction: tangential velocity along radial direction: E =
E=0.32, 𝑫𝟏 = 0.10 & 𝑫𝟐 = 0.06. 0.11, 𝑫𝟏 = 0.10 & 𝑫𝟐 = 0.08.

case have also shown that subsequent to draining, V d  2g (hi  hld )  εd 2ghi (2)
there is a deep dip formation aligned with the
primary port axis. But, this is not extending down to where ℎ𝑙 indicates the head loss and ε is the loss
become a full Rankine vortex. Video snapshot for coefficient defined here with subscripts o & d
this case is not presented here due to space indicating no rotation and rotation cases of liquid
constrains. Whereas in Fig. 14(b) at 𝑥/𝑑~ 0.45, a respectively. The head loss during the draining
sharp dip is seen from which velocity steeply process varies with the liquid height which includes
increases towards either sides reaching the peak (a) the head loss at entry and exit of the drain port (b)
values at about 𝑥/𝑑 = 0.42 and 𝑥/𝑑 = 0.65 the head loss due to friction in the drain port (c) other
characterising a forced vortex with core diameter hydraulic losses possibly occurring during draining
0.2d. For 𝑥/𝑑 < 0.42 and 𝑥/𝑑 > 0.65 velocity in swirling flows. The coefficients ε𝑜 and ε𝑑 takes
decreases as seen in the figure which characterises a care of the head losses (a), (b) and (c) mentioned
free vortex flow. Thus, this velocity distribution above. To specifically mention, just at the start of
clearly shows a Rankine vortex formation in this case draining, loss is limited to (a) and (b) only. As time
which is also reflected in velocity contours (Fig. progresses, other hydraulic losses comes in to picture
14a). Rankine vortex (Odgaard, 1986) which formed which possibly varies during draining.
in this case blocks the drain port outlet reducing the
discharge flow rate thus increasing the time of From Eqs. (1) & (2), we can write as
draining (see Fig. 4b).
hlo
ε0  1  (3)
3.3 A Mathematical Treatment to the hi
Observed Features
hld
The (efflux) velocity of the liquid at the drain port εd  1  (4)
just at the beginning of draining could be expressed hi
as follows
It could be shown from fundamentals that the drain
V 0  2g (hi  hlo )  ε0 2ghi (1) time of the liquid column without and with fluid
rotation are

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1  2hi  d 2  When ℎ𝑙𝑠 is negative, we obtain that the efflux

to     2  (5) velocity would correspondingly increase which is
ε 0  g 2
  d1  d 2  obviously a fast draining case. That is, the kinetic
energy associated with the axial flow (which assist in
1  2hi  d 2  draining) increases. In the context of equal initial
td     2 2
 (6) rotational kinetic energy provided to the liquid
εd  g   d1  d 2  column (at n = 200 rpm) to both the cases (normal
and fast draining), this increase in efflux velocity
Where 𝑑1 , 𝑑2 are port diameters in twin port indicates a possible reduction in the rotational kinetic
configuration. energy associated with the swirl flow in the case of
As previously mentioned, coefficients ε𝑜 and ε𝑑 fast draining. In other words, negative ℎ𝑙𝑠 points to
vary with respect to time (during draining). This the possibility of a reduction in the tangential
aspect was checked with known values of critical velocities which genuinely complies with the PIV
height and the corresponding time of draining (Figs. results (Fig. 13a). Quite interestingly, this aspect of
3−8). Therefore, the values assigned to these loss increase in efflux velocity could be seen reflected in
coefficients are the time averaged values in Eqs. (5) the flow visualization results also (Fig. 12) where the
and (6). discharge flow exit from the primary port appears
much wider (like a sheet) and turbulent with higher
For normal draining, from the results (typically see discharge flow rate (30% higher than no rotation
Fig. 4), it can be seen that case) as discussed before.
to  t d (7) The present study has significant practical relevance
in the field of aerospace engineering, particularly
𝑡𝑜 is less than 𝑡𝑑 because the drain port area is space crafts and rockets. As the results of this
obstructed by the tip of the Rankine vortex during its investigation reveal, vortex formation is suppressed
genesis as mentioned earlier. Correspondingly, from at large values of 𝐷2 . To particularly note, at the
Eqs. (5), (6); it could be deduced that highest value of 𝐷2 (equals 𝐷1 ), vortex air core
formation is completely suppressed where maximum
ε0  εd (8)
possible flow discharge is enabled through both the
Subsequently, Eqs. (3), (4) would show that ports. In the case of liquid propellant storage tanks
with single port draining which is the usual case of
hlo  hld (9) application, vortex formation prevents the outlet
discharge of the propellant to the engine adversely
where ℎ𝑙𝑜 is the head loss in case where no fluid affecting the launch capability (Agarwal et al.,
rotation is imparted and ℎ𝑙𝑑 is the head loss in case 2014). As already discussed, introducing two drain
of fluid rotation which includes the additional head ports instead of one (equivalent port) at identical
loss due to fluid swirling (ℎ𝑙𝑠 ). conditions would suppress vortex formation to a
significant extent of about 44%. In this context, it is
hld  hlo  hls (10) suggested here that, if two drain ports are employed
instead of one, besides suppressing the vortex air
To highlight, the parameters ℎ𝑙𝑜 and ℎ𝑙𝑑 in Eq. (9)
core, the propellant discharge flow rate could also be
are arrived at considering the time averaged values
maintained unaffected thus keeping the space vehicle
of the coefficients ε𝑜 and ε𝑑 over the total draining
safe from the problems associated with residual
time (time of emptying). Comparing Eqs. (9) & (10),
propellants that could remain in the propellant tank
it can be inferred that ℎ𝑙𝑠 is positive. From Eq. (2),
otherwise. Hence, it is thought that, the present
the efflux velocity of liquid draining can be re-
results provide a viable solution to the stability
written as
problems associated with space systems which are
V d  2g (hi  hld )  2g (hi  (hlo  hls ) (11) liable to be affected by air entraining vortices. On
similar argument, the advantage of using twin drain
For fast draining, it is obvious that ports in preventing vortexing could be extended to
other areas such as hydraulic engineering
Td  1.0  t 0  t d (12) (Padmanabhan, 1984) and metal casting
(Sankaranarayanan and Guthrie, 2002).
Correspondingly, from Eqs. (5) & (6), it could be
deduced that The process of vortex air core formation is
understood to be primarily due to axial flow-induced
ε0 < εd (13) instability where, a sudden change over occurs from
swirl flow to axial flow as a consequence of an initial
Equations (3) & (4) gives dip formation at near the center (Chen and
Winterthur, 1979). The resulting vortex air core is a
hlo  hld (14) Rankine vortex consisting of a forced vortex (central
region) encircled by a free vortex swirl flow
Substituting Eq. (14) in Eq. (10), it can be inferred
(Odgaard, 1986). It is also known that the boundary
that ℎ𝑙𝑠 is negative.
between the free and forced vortex regions (core
For normal draining case, ℎ𝑙𝑠 is positive which edge) is unstable and is characterized by high
means that efflux velocity would reduce due to this turbulence (Chen and Winterthur, 1979; Binnie et
loss (associated with swirl flow) following Eq. (11). al., 1948). As the draining takes place, energy

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transfer takes place from the potential vortex (outer it sways between the drain ports with a curvy surface
flow regime) to the inner core increasing the angular profile apart from disclosing the nature of the drain
velocity of the inner core (forced vortex) also port exit flow.
reducing its radius (Chen and Winterthur, 1979). At
some time instant during draining, due to the core Previously reported results with single drain port
edge instability, axial flow develops first in to a dip reveal that the time of draining invariably increases
that further develops in to a full size vortex air core. when a rotated liquid column is drained compared to
That is, vortex air core formation is thought to be an the case of simple draining (no rotation). But the
instability phenomenon due to the feedback between present investigation reveals that for certain
the free and forced vortex regimes. Sohn et al. (2013) combination of fluid rotation speed, port size and
suggested that such an vortex air core formation is port eccentricity, draining occurs more rapidly (that
strongly linked to the intensity and spatial expansion is, time of draining decreases) than in the case of
of Torus-shaped Taylor vortex generated during the liquid draining with no rotation. A mathematical
liquid draining process. However, it is surprising treatise carried out as a part of the present study
that, though there are two drain ports in the present elucidates the efflux velocity change in fast draining
study, there is only one vortex air core that is case compared to the normal draining situation.
generated during draining. The characteristics of Apart from illustrating the velocity contours, PIV
vortexing phenomenon during draining through two results obtained show compliance to the possible
drain ports is plausibly be due to the mutual changes the efflux (axial) velocity undergoes during
interaction between the flow fields around the drain the normal and fast draining cases studied. For fast
ports bringing significant variations in the static draining case, the increase in the flow discharge
pressures around them. This is particularly evident in (compared to the no rotation case) could be measured
a specific case of the present investigation where to physically confirm the result which is also visually
vortex suppression occurs when the drain ports carry reflected in the discharge outlet flow pattern obtained
equal diameters even at the highest initial rotation through flow visualization. One of the fascinating
rate (n = 200 rpm) provided to the liquid column. results of this study is the fact that, at identical
Nonetheless, the precise reasons for the observed conditions, twin port configuration allows faster
features, viz., variations in the critical height and draining compared to an equivalent single port by
liquid emptying time with fluid rotation speed are not way of suppressing the vortex formation with higher
known at present and more studies are required to discharge flow rate. This finding is thought to have
bring out the physics involved. tremendous application potential in space
engineering (liquid propulsion systems) and
hydraulic engineering where vortex suppression is
4. CONCLUSIONS much sought after to eliminate adverse effects.
Additionally, the tangential velocity distribution
Gas entrainment and resulting formation of Rankine obtained from PIV technique indicates that for
vortex when a liquid is drained from a tank is a major normal draining case, there is Rankine vortex
adverse problem in many fields of engineering such formation and for faster draining case, there is no full
as in flight of space vehicles, metal casting and Rankine vortex formation. Furthermore, PIV results
hydraulic intakes. Hence, suppression of these show that tangential velocity is considerably higher
vortices are warranted in such engineering in normal draining case compared to that in the faster
applications. In contrast to all the previous studies draining case at identical time instant.
where only single drain port is used, the current study
investigates vortex air core (Rankine vortex) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
formation in a cylindrical vessel employing two
drain ports to discharge the liquid (water) induced
with a rotation. Unlike the case of single drain ports We are deeply grateful to Department of Mechanical
(previous studies), the current experimental results Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
show that the vortex formation could be completely (Deemed University), Amritapuri Campus, for
suppressed with liquid draining simultaneously granting us all the necessary apparatus and
enabled through two eccentric drain ports with equal laboratory space, and further for all the motivation
size. In this study, the size of one of the drain ports given to us to complete this work. Heartfelt thanks
is fixed (primary port) and the size of the other are also due to the CSIR-National Aerospace
(secondary port) is varied. Eccentricity of the drain Laboratories, Bengaluru for enabling us to carry out
ports being varied, at smaller value of eccentricity, the PIV experiments at its facility.
the critical submergence of vortex formation
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