Submersible buoy
Submersible buoy
(OP)
I need to determine the flowrate and line sizing for a submersible buoy operating using ballast tanks. The ballast tank initially contain trapped air and as the valves is open seawater rushes in to replace the air. This increases the density of the buoy and causes it to sink. How do I determine the depth to which it sinks to. Assuming the ballast tank is completely filled. For neutral buoyancy I would need the weight of the buoy to be equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. Basically, I need to know how to calculate how fast the buoy will sink and at what depth it will stabilize. It is required for the ballast tanks to be completely filled and at 50 meter depth but I do not know the necessary calculation to determine the flowrate and the line sizing. Please help!!!





RE: Submersible buoy
Best regards
Morten
RE: Submersible buoy
RE: Submersible buoy
Best regards
Morten
RE: Submersible buoy
I don't know if you're talking about a flowrate of air out, or water in, or some combination of both. Your water intake flowrate can be calculated by the flow possible due to inlet pressure of water at a given depth across some length of pipe or across an orifce opening, or whatever you have conducting the water to the air volume remaining inside, and the remaining pressure of that air volume at any given time. If its a hose for air, use water depth inlet and the outlet pressures (atmospheric?) with gas flow equations.
I wouldn't think stability will be easy to achieve. Look for lots of oscillations before that happens, especially if you do this fast. Its not very easy to do with something as small as a scuba diver, so with a buoy... take it very slow and easy to maximize control.
"Less than 1% of the energy moving a car goes towards the driver."
Amory Lovins - The Oil End Game http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: Submersible buoy
Best regards
Morten
RE: Submersible buoy
RE: Submersible buoy
An anchor on bottom with a line to a buoy at 50 m depth would be easier still, but then we wouldn't need all that air pressure measurement and calculating sink time and stuff.
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"Pumping systems account for nearly 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25% to 50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities." - DOE statistic
"Note: Make that 99.99% for pipeline companies" - http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: Submersible buoy
**********************
"Pumping systems account for nearly 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25% to 50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities." - DOE statistic
"Note: Make that 99.99% for pipeline companies" - http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/