Sloshing-induced evolution of self-cleaning performance and flow characteristics within a tank installed on an offshore aquaculture vessel.

In this study, a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) motion platform is utilized to simulate the transverse rolling motion of aquaculture tanks aboard deep-sea aquaculture vessels. It examines the effects of different inlet configurations (single and four-pipe inlet), rolling motions (amplitude Θ and period T), and inlet pipe jet angles α (the acute angle between the jet direction of the inlet pipe and the inclined wall to which it is connected) on the self-cleaning capabilities and flow field characteristics of the aquaculture tank. The findings indicate that the waste collection time in the tank is affected by the combined influences of rolling amplitude and period. In the single-pipe inlet configuration, waste collection time increases with the rolling period and initially increases, then decreases with the rolling amplitude. In the four-pipe inlet configuration, waste collection time increases with the rolling period and decreases with the rolling amplitude. Optimal waste collection performance is achieved at α = 45° in both configurations. Regarding flow field characteristics, variations in rolling period and amplitude significantly alter the flow field within the aquaculture tank. In both configurations, as the period decreases and the amplitude increases, the high-velocity regions and the central vortex area within the tank expand, and the average flow velocity of the water also rises. This corresponds to a reduction in waste collection time and an increase in the waste collection rate. In both configurations, the Flow field is most uniform at α = 45°, which corresponds to the highest waste collection capabilities among all jet angles. The results indicate that while decreasing the rolling period and increasing the amplitude can enhance the self-cleaning capabilities, they also lead to excessively rapid water flow velocities. In practical applications, it is important to select appropriate farming areas based on fish suitability and to choose the correct inlet jet angles for different numbers of inlets. The findings can provide theoretical support and a scientific basis for optimizing the flow characteristics and self-cleaning performance of aquaculture vessels under rolling motion and contribute positively to the advancement of deep-sea aquaculture technology. • The effects of rolling motions on the self-cleaning ability of aquaculture tanks during mooring have been clarified. • A systematic analysis of self-cleaning ability under two inlet configurations and optimal jet angles under rolling motion. • Using PIV technology, we measured the flow field and analyzed flow velocity characteristics with PDF and CDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]