Numerical Simulation of Fuel Solidification Process in Fuel Truck Tanks under Polar Environment

In order to investigate the solidification process of fuel oil in fuel truck tanks under the polar environment, this study is based on the theory of heat transfer, and a two-dimensional model of fuel truck tanks is established to simulate the fuel oil solidification process by using the software FLUENT. Considering the viscosity and temperature change characteristics of the fuel, the change characteristics of the fuel temperature field, velocity field and solidification phase transition during the solidification process are analyzed. The numerical results show that: in the polar environment, the fuel tank storage time of 2.75h fuel tank fuel temperature is lower than its condensation point -44℃, at this time the fuel state can not meet the requirements of the vehicle use, to 374.75h tank fuel solidification, solidification process by the tank wall surrounded by the encircling circle type with the time of the irregular contraction to the inside; Be-fore the fuel temperature is lower than -44℃, the natural convection heat transfer plays a dominant role, and the fuel temperature field distribution changes with the velocity field, after which the natural convection is significantly weakened, and at this time, the fuel temperature is mainly affected by heat conduction, but the fuel temperature drop rate is significantly lower than before. The results of the study can provide some theoretical guidance for the design of fuel tank insulation and heating program for fuel trucks applicable to the polar environment.