Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
(OP)
One friend is currently working on a small design problem and need some mechanical analysis done, if any of you could give him a hand it would be much appreciated
Basically, I need to put a 20” x 32” x 40” steel box inside a 20ft tall 400 bbl condensate tank. Could you help me determine if this box will deflect due to the pressure inside the tank? Or determine what kind of support structure we will need to avoid deflection?
Thanks.
Basically, I need to put a 20” x 32” x 40” steel box inside a 20ft tall 400 bbl condensate tank. Could you help me determine if this box will deflect due to the pressure inside the tank? Or determine what kind of support structure we will need to avoid deflection?
Thanks.





RE: Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
1. Yes, the box walls will deflect.
2. Can't be done. There is no such thing as a flat plate (or just about anything else) under pressure (or any loading) which has zero deflection. You will need to define an acceptable deflection and then work your design to it.
jt
RE: Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
Offhand, I can say that the dimensions of the box will warrant stiffening on account of the 20ft of static head acting on the box as an external pressure.
What are the contents of your box? Will it be internally pressurised? Note that if this box is having an opening it will no longer be subjected to a differential pressure and will have to be treated as a non-pressure part.
Hope this helps.
-jehan
RE: Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
Why a box ? What are you trying to accomplish and what is the purpose of the "box inside of a tank" ?
Are you trying to hide something in a liquid cargo..?
Please explain ?
-MJC
RE: Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
Joe Tank
RE: Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
If my friend provides the explanation, you can help to solve the problem, is that right? In this case, I would like him to reply to you.
Thanks in advance.
RE: Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
Tell Vito that I do not want to end up in the trunk of a bullet-ridden can somewhere in New Jersey.
There are many other Pressure Vessel/tank designers out there who can help you....
I ....ummmm.... don't remember much about steel box design from my days in college
-MJC
RE: Steel box to be put into a condensate tank
Just remember the purpose of the Eng-Tips is for engineers to help engineers, not for engineers to provide free design services.
If your friend needs someone to do the design work for him, he needs to hire someone.
Patricia Lougheed
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