Mathematical modeling of snow deposits on spherical roofs of vertical cylindrical tanks in order to optimize placement and structural design of metal structures on the roof

UDK: 658.382.3:622.692.23.075

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2025-9-125-128

Key words: snow, tank, mathematical modeling, model

Authors: M.V. Likhovtsev (The Pipeline Transport Institute LLC, RF, Moscow); N.V. Berezhansky (NPO KIS, JSC, RF, Moscow); A.N. Zadumin (The Pipeline Transport Institute LLC, RF, Moscow); A.A. Katanov (The Pipeline Transport Institute LLC, RF, Moscow); D.V. Prosikov (The Pipeline Transport Institute LLC, RF, Moscow)

The process of accumulation and distribution of snow deposits on roofs of vertical cylindrical tanks in winter has a very complex physical nature, which must be taken into account in strength calculations. The following article presents the results of mathematical modeling of snow deposits and snow retention processes on the roofs of vertical steel tanks with a pontoon of 20000 m3 capacity (RVSP-20000) with installed stairways, fencing, service platforms and breathing equipment. Mathematical modeling of snow retention processes was carried out in the ANSYS Fluent software package using a model based on comparing the tangential stresses of the flow on the surface with the critical value of snow entrainment/deposition. To account for the effect of the snow cover height above the tank roof on the air flow, a dynamic grid technology was used, implemented with the user-defined software code. The user-defined function is based on a mathematical model of snow deposition developed on the basis of experimental research. The roof of a vertical spherical tank with a pontoon of RVSP-20000 type served as the object of mathematical modeling. Based on the research results, recommendations for optimizing design solutions and placement of equipment installed on spherical roofs of petroleum products tanks were developed.

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