filling tanks in parallel...

[Terex]

Hi!

I'm a student in mechanical engineering and i've got a summer job in a steel tanks shop.

I have to calculate, for two tanks in parallel, the flow rate for each tank. Right now, i've resolved it with a three-reservoir junction problem, replacing the filling nozzle by a third tank placed at a height equilavent to the inlet pressure. The inlet pipe has two T junctions (one for each tank) and it stops 2'' passed the second tank. I've taken my junction point at the first T intersection (right over the first tank). The vent is also connected in parallel, but with one elbow for the last tank and one T junction for the first tank.

Is it a correct way to solve the problem? I've considered all the head losses (piping friction, elbows) but the one for the second T junction.. i don't know what to do with it!

I've found 3.3 liter/sec and 2.75 liter/sec for the first and second tank. (The tanks are 30 inches apart. 2'' steel pipe) I think the difference in the flow rates is too considerable. Is it?

I just want to know if my process is correct, and if the flow rate difference seems ok.

thanks!

Martin

 

[ksuengrng]

Terex

It is pretty obvious you are new to this forum. Most tank/vessel shops do not perform the design of the system, and it does sound like a homework problem. However, we are all professionals and come to this forum to assist each other with problems we face in industry. With that said, I offer the following:

I may not be understanding your wording, but I don't see a viable solution to this problem by adding a third tank at an elevated position. Have you looked at pumps, valving, etc... along with your junction.

One thing to also be careful with is the vents for the tanks being in parallel. While this is a standard practice, it is not as easy as plumbing them in together. There are other things to be considered like vent sizing, valves, air flow into and out of the tank, etc...

ksuengrng

 

[Terex]

thanks....