Creating a High-Pressure Fire Hose: Conical vs. Cylindrical Tank Design

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of creating a high-pressure fire hose system using either a conical or cylindrical water tank design. A fire hose typically operates at 8 bars of pressure, which requires a water depth of approximately 80 meters. The user explores whether a conical tank with the same height and outlet diameter as a cylindrical tank can achieve similar pressure levels. Ultimately, it is concluded that pressure is determined solely by the height of the water column, and a pump is necessary to achieve the desired pressure, as used in firetrucks.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics and pressure calculations
  • Basic knowledge of geometric volume formulas for cylinders and cones
  • Familiarity with pressure measurement units (bars)
  • Experience with pump systems and their applications in fluid transport
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  • Research the principles of fluid dynamics, specifically hydrostatic pressure
  • Study the geometric volume formulas for conical and cylindrical shapes
  • Learn about pump systems used in firefighting and their pressure capabilities
  • Explore alternative tank designs and their efficiency in generating pressure
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Engineers, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone interested in fluid mechanics, particularly those looking to design high-pressure water systems for practical applications.

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I had an idea the other day and I wondered whether or not it was possible. I want to build a water tank hooked up to a hose that can fire with the force of a real fire hose ( I'd really be delighted if I only reached half that ). Here's what the numbers:

A fire hose has roughly 8 bars of pressure.
Roughly 10 meters deep of water creates 1 bar.

It would be impractical to build my a cylindrical tank be roughly 80 meters high. Instead, I was thinking that I could use a conical shape tank. Would a conical tank of the same height and hole width at the bottom as a cylindrical tank have more pressure because of the extra water on it? Does it matter what size the hole is at the bottom?

Let's say the hole was 2 centimeters wide, the cylindrical tank will need (pi*(r^2)*h) (3.14(2[centimeters]^2)*8000[centimeters]) = 100480[milliliters?]. Using (pi*(r^2)*h)/3 for the cone volume, to try to get the same volume, (3.14(2^2)*x)/3 = 100480, x = ?). My mathematical abilities all break down here. I've been trying this for a while but can't figure it out.

Basically, will a smaller conical tank create the same pressure of a larger cylindrical tank and how high would I need the tank to be to reach the 8 bars or so pressure (I'm trying to get it all the way up to my roof).

All responses are appreciated. Thanks :)
 
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Phloxicon said:
I had an idea the other day and I wondered whether or not it was possible. I want to build a water tank hooked up to a hose that can fire with the force of a real fire hose ( I'd really be delighted if I only reached half that ). Here's what the numbers:

A fire hose has roughly 8 bars of pressure.
Roughly 10 meters deep of water creates 1 bar.

It would be impractical to build my a cylindrical tank be roughly 80 meters high. Instead, I was thinking that I could use a conical shape tank. Would a conical tank of the same height and hole width at the bottom as a cylindrical tank have more pressure because of the extra water on it? Does it matter what size the hole is at the bottom?

Let's say the hole was 2 centimeters wide, the cylindrical tank will need (pi*(r^2)*h) (3.14(2[centimeters]^2)*8000[centimeters]) = 100480[milliliters?]. Using (pi*(r^2)*h)/3 for the cone volume, to try to get the same volume, (3.14(2^2)*x)/3 = 100480, x = ?). My mathematical abilities all break down here. I've been trying this for a while but can't figure it out.

Basically, will a smaller conical tank create the same pressure of a larger cylindrical tank and how high would I need the tank to be to reach the 8 bars or so pressure (I'm trying to get it all the way up to my roof).

All responses are appreciated. Thanks :)

No, the pressure just depends on the head (height of water). You need a pump -- that's what firetrucks use anyway.
 
Dang :( Thanks :D
 

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