LPG in Units are stored in sphere or sometimes cylindrical bullets. What are the causes behind that?
2007-03-03 13:52:59 · 6 answers · asked by BHABENDRA KUMAR D 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
A sphere is the strongest shape possible using the smallest amount of material. It is also gives the maximum storage for a given amount of material too.
So two fab reasons really.
A cylinder is good too - though the top and bottom need to be extra strong as these are the weak spots (assuming the cylinder is forged and not welded)
2007-03-03 13:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by Mark T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because these are the easiest shapes for containers which hold pressurized fluids. The pressure of the fluid is balanced by tension forces in the container skin. If the shape had a corner (e.g. a flat-bottomed cylinder), the tension forces would work to force the angle open. You could build a cylinder with internal or external reinforcements to hold its shape, but this would be more complex and expensive than a spherical shape.
Even the exceptions are instructive:
1. A 2-liter bottle has the shape you would expect if it had 5 strings of stronger material radiating from the center of the bottom and allowing the rest to bulge out into "feet".
2. An aluminum soft-drink can has a hemispherical dome on the bottom which is in compression, not tension. If you overpressurize the can by e.g. freezing the contents, it will bulge outwards.
2007-03-03 23:22:28 · answer #2 · answered by Engineer-Poet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LPG has a low boiling point, and a low flash point. Also LPG is compressed to below atmospheric pressure, to maintain liquidity for easy transportation and storage. As we know, the cyllinder and sphere have the least possible surface area per unit volume (as evident from shape of falling liquid drop or water jet); hence to minimise exposed surface area and also for equal distribution of high pressure in all axes, LPG is stored in spheres or bullets.
2007-03-03 22:50:20 · answer #3 · answered by abhik@9867041122 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A sphere gives you the smallest surface area to hold the largest volume. The cylinders are more easily transported.
2007-03-03 21:58:03 · answer #4 · answered by St N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only is it the strongset and thus lightest shape, but it is the shape the container" wants" to take.
think of a party balloon, it doesn't blow up square, even if you were to try and make one, in would be rounded. bassically, these containers are just metal ballons.
2007-03-03 22:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Circles don't distort when pressurized.
2007-03-03 22:06:15 · answer #6 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋