Solving Dilution Problem with Water Level Change & Brine Addition

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a dilution problem involving a tank where both the water level is changing and brine is being added. Participants explore methods for setting up and solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs) related to this scenario, contrasting it with simpler cases where either the water level remains constant or no brine is added.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the problem setup for a tank where brine is added while the water level changes, noting that the equation does not appear separable.
  • Another participant suggests a method to solve the problem by defining a new variable and transforming the equation into a separable form.
  • A subsequent reply seeks clarification on the differentiation of the new variable introduced in the solution process.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the differentiation of the new dependent variable with respect to the new independent variable.
  • Another participant introduces a seemingly unrelated question about the speed of a clock, indicating a shift in topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method proposed for solving the dilution problem, although there is some uncertainty regarding the specifics of the differentiation process. The latter part of the discussion introduces a different topic, which may indicate a lack of consensus on the primary focus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of the variables and the transformations applied, which may not be fully explored. The transition to a new topic suggests a potential divergence from the original problem context.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in solving ordinary differential equations related to fluid dynamics, particularly in contexts involving dilution and changing conditions in tanks, may find this discussion relevant.

tickle_monste
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Ok, I'm working through some dilution/accretion problems in my ODEs book (not homework), all of them centered around draining brine from a tank. The author illustrates the method for solving the problem when you're adding more brine to the tank, and the total water level stays the same, you simply separate the variables. The author also illustrates the method for solving the problem when the water level is changing, but you're not adding more brine to the tank. Again you simply separate the variables.

And that's it, that's all my book explains. It doesn't explain at all what to do when you're both changing the water level and adding more brine to the tank. The author doesn't even hint at a method for solving it:


Adding brine, but not changing the water level:

100 gallon tank, 3 gals/min brine flow in at 2 lbs of salt per gallon, 3 gals/min of the mix flow out.
dx = 6dt (brine) - (x/100)3dt.
dx/(x-200) = -.03dt.
Separable, hooray.


Not adding brine, changing the water level:

100 gallon tank, 2 gals/min fresh water flow in, 3 gals/min of the mix flow out.
dx = (x/(100-t))3dt.
dx/x = (3/100-t)dt
Again, separable.


Adding brine, changing the water level:

100 gallon tank, 3 gals/min brine flow in at 2lbs of salt per gallon, 2 gals/min of the mix flow out.
dx = 6dt - (x/(100+t))2dt
That doesn't look very separable to me...
 
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You are right, it isn't. However, it can be solved. First define \tau=t+100. Then:
x'=6-2x/\tau
which is homogeneous (invariant under x\rightarrow ax, \tau \rightarrow a\au). For that kind, you have the standart change z=x/\tau, which transforms it into the new equation
z'\tau=6-3z
which is now separable. The full solution is then
x=2(t+100)-\frac{C}{(t+100)^{2}}
 
Last edited:
I see how that works. Thanks a lot for the help
 
Actually on second thought I'm not quite sure what you're trying to specify with z'. What exactly are you differentiating Z with respect to?
 
He is differentiating the new dependent variable, z, with respect to the new independent variable, \tau.
 
that is x=z(\tau)\tau\rightarrow x'(\tau)=z'\tau+z
 
at what speed should a clock be moved so that it may appear to lose 1 minute in each hour?
 

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