Problem 1.

26

[Difficulty: 2]

Given: Find: Solution:

Geometry of tank, and weight of propane. Volume of propane, and tank volume; explain the discrepancy. Use Table G.2 and other sources (e.g., Google) as needed.

The author's tank is approximately 12 in in diameter, and the cylindrical part is about 8 in. The weight of propane specified is 17 lb. The tank diameter is The tank cylindrical height is The mass of propane is The specific gravity of propane is The density of water is D = 12 in L = 8 in mprop = 17 lbm SG prop = 0.495 = 998 kg m The volume of propane is given by
3

mprop mprop Vprop = = prop SGprop 1 m 0.454 kg Vprop = 17 lbm 998 kg 0.495 1 lbm
3

1 in 0.0254 m

Vprop = 953 in

The volume of the tank is given by a cylinder diameter D length L, D2L/4 and a sphere (two halves) given by D3/6 Vtank = D 4
2

L +
2

D 6

Vtank = Vprop Vtank

( 12 in) 4

8 in +

( 12 in) 6

Vtank = 1810 in

The ratio of propane to tank volumes is

= 53 %

This seems low, and can be explained by a) tanks are not filled completely, b) the geometry of the tank gave an overestimate of the volume (the ends are not really hemispheres, and we have not allowed for tank wall thickness).