Mixing Tank, Differential Equations Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a mixing tank scenario where pure water is pumped into a tank containing a salt solution. The tank initially holds 500 gallons of water with 400 pounds of salt. Water is entering at a rate of 3 gallons per minute, while the mixed solution is being pumped out at a rate of 7 gallons per minute. The original poster seeks assistance in formulating the differential equation governing the salt concentration in the tank.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulation of the differential equation, with the original poster attempting to derive it but encountering issues with the resulting salt quantity. Questions arise regarding the correct definition of the outflow rate and how to express the concentration of salt exiting the tank.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaged in clarifying the formulation of the differential equation. Some guidance has been provided regarding the correct setup of the denominator in the equation, and there is an ongoing exploration of the assumptions related to inflow and outflow rates. The original poster acknowledges mistakes and expresses gratitude for the assistance received.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the flow rates and how they affect the concentration of salt in the tank. The original poster's attempts to relate the problem to a similar scenario have led to misunderstandings that are being addressed in the discussion.

bdh2991
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Homework Statement



a larg tank is filled with 500 gals of water with 400lbs of salt. pure water is pumped into the tank at a rate of 3gal/min. the well mixed solution is pumped out at a rate of 7 gal/min.

I need help finding the Differential

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried coming up with the D.E. and this is what i got dA/dt = 3 - 7A/(500-t)

except after i did solved the d.e. i kept getting more salt than i started with which makes no sense...

Please Help lol
 
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bdh2991 said:

Homework Statement



a larg tank is filled with 500 gals of water with 400lbs of salt. pure water is pumped into the tank at a rate of 3gal/min. the well mixed solution is pumped out at a rate of 7 gal/min.

I need help finding the Differential

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried coming up with the D.E. and this is what i got dA/dt = 3 - 7A/(500-t)

except after i did solved the d.e. i kept getting more salt than i started with which makes no sense...

Please Help lol

Your denominator is wrong. How is rate out defined?
 
fauboca said:
Your denominator is wrong. How is rate out defined?

not sure lol...i went off of a similar problem that was gaining instead of losing...

i know that it is supposed to be the flow rate out multiplied by the concentration out but i don't understand how to get the concentration of salt exiting the tank...
 
bdh2991 said:
not sure lol...i went off of a similar problem that was gaining instead of losing...

i know that it is supposed to be the flow rate out multiplied by the concentration out but i don't understand how to get the concentration of salt exiting the tank...

R_{out} = -t(7gal/min - 3gal/min) = -4t

Where you have 500-t. I didn't check over the rest of you equation but that was what was immediate obvious.
 
ok so instead i should have A/(-4t) rather than A/(500-t)?
 
bdh2991 said:
ok so instead i should have A/(-4t) rather than A/(500-t)?

No, why would you disregard the amount of solution?
 
i guess I'm misunderstanding what you are saying...it would help more if you just showed me what the equation should look like
 
bdh2991 said:
i guess I'm misunderstanding what you are saying...it would help more if you just showed me what the equation should look like

I could have phrased it better.

When you are dealing with mixtures, you denominators is

\frac{A}{sol+(R_{in}-R_{out})t}

When inflow and out flow are the same, we just have A/sol in gallons.

Your R_{in}=3 and out=7 so (3-7)t = -4t.

So what is the denominator?
 
A/500-(-4t)

so A/500+4t?
 
  • #10
it can't be that because i just tried it and it didn't come out right
 
  • #11
fauboca said:
I could have phrased it better.

When you are dealing with mixtures, you denominators is

\frac{A}{sol+(R_{in}-R_{out})t}

When inflow and out flow are the same, we just have A/sol in gallons.

Your R_{in}=3 and out=7 so (3-7)t = -4t.

So what is the denominator?

500+(-4t) = 500-4t
 
  • #12
ok i made some dumb mistakes but i finally got what i needed thanks!
 

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