Visualization Studies using PIV in a Cylindrical Tank with and without Vortex Suppressor

Vortexing occurs during draining from tanks which reduces the rate of outflow. The phenomenon is augmented by initial rotation. The use of a vortex suppressor in a circular tank prevents vortexing. The reasons for the suppression of the vortexing are not clear. In this paper quantitative flow visualization results using PIV are presented which bring out the flow structure under various conditions. The suppressor leads to a faster decay in the rotational component.