Can anyone tell me the internal pressure range that a hot air ballon can withstand? 1 to 3 atmospheres? 2 or less?
2007-03-26 07:38:00 · 5 answers · asked by Mickey 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Hot air balloons have maybe a couple inches of water column (a fraction of 1psi) pressure differential between the inside and out...thus it's a very small pressure difference. If the delta p were any bigger, the air would simply rush out of the opening in the bottom where the burner assembly is located. The nylon fabric they use couldn't possibly handle the tensile loads from having an overpressure anywhere near even an atmosphere...and why should they, the hot air balloon doesn't need compressed air/gas to work!
2007-03-26 07:49:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The material used is generally sports-grade rip-stop nylon. It is very strong. I have used it to make flags and tents. I would say (with very little doubt) that it could withstand 50 psia.
While I don't know the pressure inside a hot air balloon, I do know that the pilots run the air temperature between160 and 180 degrees F. The pressure can be estimated from this range of temperatures.
.
2007-03-26 14:47:08 · answer #2 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what it can ultimately withstand, but because the balloon is open on the bottom, its internal pressure will be equal to the pressure outside of the balloon at all times.
2007-03-26 14:42:51 · answer #3 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same as pressure outside the balloon
so about 1 atmosphere
2007-03-26 16:17:20 · answer #4 · answered by gjmb1960 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's about 35.
2007-03-26 14:42:02 · answer #5 · answered by bill s 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋