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storage vessel
Description of the problem:
A metal vessel with volume V0 (air inside) has been filled with LPG (e.g. butane, isobutane,
propane). Depending on the mass of the butane (LPG) a part (or a whole amount) of it will
evaporate. Calculate the total pressure inside the vessel, considering the following conditions:
- due to the evaporation the LPG the liquid phase changes its volume
- the pressure of the air changes due to the change of gas phase volume (see picture below)
- the partial pressure of the butane is equal to its vapur pressure at the given temperature
add butane
(or other LPG),
mass mp
VG
evaporation
VL
equilibrium:
p, T
Motivation
Predicting the total pressure in vessels containing liquid gas can bring new possibilities for
improving the overall process performance in the industry. Some examples include
development of aerosol products for cosmetics or other markets e.g. lubricating oils,
aerosol paints, protective coatings, sealants for building industry etc.
Bulk storage of LPG is another example where the modelling results could be very helpful
regarding the practical usage of the vessels.
crit
p
p sat (T) V0
=
R T
If np > npcrit
(gas and liquid phase)
p sat .V G
n =
R.T
L
n
p .M p
G
V = V0
p
n = np
G
p
G
p
V G = V0
p = p p + pi
p = p p + pi
n Lp = 0
n Lp = n p n Gp
pp =
n Gp .R.T
G
p p = p sat
V
n i .R.T
n i .R.T
p
=
i
pi =
G
VG
V
In both cases we have six equations and six unknown variables - the left-hand sides of
the equations. The algebraic system is to be solved using modified Newton method.
The index "p" states for LPG, and the index "i" for the inert gas (air).
Pressure, bar(a)
14
total pressure
12
10
isobutane partial
pressure
8
6
4
2
0
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Isobutane mass, kg
The picture shows how the total pressure depends on the amount of liquid gas filled
in vessel (volume 1 m3). After forming of liquid phase at ca. 7.5kg isobutane, its
vapour pressure remains constant, and only the inert gas pressure increases due to the
smaller volume available for the gas phase
% evaporated
80
60
40
20
0
0
100
200
300
400
500
Isobutane mass, kg
Here is shown how many % of the isobutane evaporates at different added amounts.
pressure, bar(a)
8
7
6
5
total pressure
vapour pressure
inert gas pressure
3
2
1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
Temperature, C
The picture shows the temperature dependencies of the pressures in the vessel at given
amount of isobutane added. The total pressure increases mainly due to the change of
the isobutane vapour pressure.