Conversion calculation

[KMort]

I am trying to get an idea of how long it would take to heat a train rail car above 120°F. Filled with a liquid weighing 10 lbs per gallon. Total gallons are 4,800. The total liquid weight is 48,000 lbs. Lets assume its summer time and the ambient temperature is and average 90°F.

Keith Mort
Franklin International
Technical Specialist

http://www.franklininternational.com

 

[XELR8]

The rail car will never get above 120F if the ambient temp is 90F. Unless you have another heat source.

 

[KMort]

Most rail cars are painted black. Therefore the sun's radiant heat will heat the container much hotter than the ambient temperature.

Keith Mort
Franklin International
Technical Specialist

http://www.franklininternational.com

 

[25362]

If both absorptivity coefficients (from solar radiation, and from low-temperature-radiation to the surroundings) in equilibrium are equal, say 0.95, and the solar flux is about 700 W/m² the exposed tank wall temperature may get above 210^oF, as explained by KMort.

The final temperature would depend on the heat absorption by the tank contents and any convection effects from the surrounding air.