Efficient Pump Usage in Fuel Oil Supply System: Solving for Tank Fill Time

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Girn261

Homework Statement


A fuel oil supply system consists of two tanks (Tank A and Tank B) and two transfer pumps (Pump A and Pump B) to supply a Bunker C fuel oil to a heating boiler.

Pump A can fill up a Tank A from the minimum level in 15 hours and 20 minutes
Pump B can fill up a Tank B from the minimum level in 17 hours and 30 minutes

Calculate the time to fill up Tank A from the minimum level under the following conditions.

a) both pumps are used simultaneously
b) pump A is used to fill up Tank A while Pump B is transferring fuel out from Tank A to Tank B

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



for part a) I converted the hours to minutes for both pumps, I assume both tanks to be same size. Pump A = 920mins to fill tank & 1050 mins for pump B. Then I did (1/920+1/1050)x(t)=1 to find t which was 490 mins. But for part B any tips? I'm having a brain fart.
 

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Girn261 said:
for part B any tips?
Consider what the change is over one minute.
 
Are the two tanks the same volume? Or are the two pumps of equal capacity? Neither? If neither seems like not enough info given.
 
haruspex said:
Consider what the change is over one minute.

Okay I am kinda lost haha. But I did this (1/1050-1/920)=1/x and for x I got 7430 mins. Is that right?
 
rude man said:
Are the two tanks the same volume? Or are the two pumps of equal capacity? Neither? If neither seems like not enough info given.
thats the exact question, so I think you're suppose to assume the tanks are same volume, while the pumps are different capacity
 
Girn261 said:
Okay I am kinda lost haha. But I did this (1/1050-1/920)=1/x and for x I got 7430 mins. Is that right?
Yes.
 
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Girn261 said:
thats the exact question, so I think you're suppose to assume the tanks are same volume, while the pumps are different capacity
Well, I think it's exactly badly phrased, :smile: but OK you have to assume something, might as well be equal-size tanks..