Case Study 20

A Horton sphere contains 732421 kg of LPG at 40 C and 8.72 ata. A

transfer of LPG is given to the customer, for which the level in the sphere
drops by 35%. Calculate how much LPG is received by the customer. The
transfer occurs slowly enough to maintain isothermal operation.
The LPG transferred to the customer will have the same composition and
condition as the LPG in the Horton sphere in the Case Study 19. The
properties of LPG vapor and liquid in the Horton sphere is given below:
Hf = 80.6351 KJ @ 40 C
Hg = 148.3427 KJ/kg @ 40 C & 8.72 ata.
Vf = Vf = 0.001814 m3/kg @ 40 C
Vg = 0.057787 m3/kg @ 40 C & 8.72 ata

Calculate the level in the Horton sphere for the mass of 73421 kg of LPG:
The Horton sphere is filled more than half.
Half the volume = 1286.7381 m3 (4217.1 ft3)
Condensed LPG (from the previous case study) occupies the volume
above the Horton sphere equator.
Quantity of condensed LPG = 22988.4 kg
Volume of the condensed LPG = 41.6953933 m3
Height of the liquid LPG above the equator = 0.2754336 m
Total height of the liquid from the bottom = 8.7754336 m
Liquid level as % of total height of sphere= 51.620197 %
During LPG transfer =, the level drops by 35%
Level of LPG remaining after transfer = (52% - 35%) = 17%
Height upto 17 % level = 17 m dia * 0.17 = 2.89 m
Height of liquid LPG between equator and 2.89m = 5.61 m
Vol. between equator and 2.89 m = 849.2471 m3
Total volume for transfer = 849.2471 + 41.69539 = 890.9425 m3
Let:
Initial mass of the liquid LPG(before transfer): mf1
Initial mass of the vapor LPG(before transfer): mg1
Final mass of the liquid LPG(after transfer): mf2
Final mass of the vapor LPG(after transfer): mg2
Mass of liquid LPG transferred: m’
During transfer some quantity of liquid LPG will vaporize. Let it be x kg.
By mass balance:
mg2 + mf2 + m’ = mg1+mf1
mg2 – mg1 = mf1 – mf2 –m’ = x
Initial volume in the sphere = mf1*Vf +mg1*Vg
Final volume in the sphere:
Liquid portion = (mf1-m’-x),kg
Vapor portion = (mg1+m’(Vf/Vg) +x), kg
Vapor volume = (mf1 –m1-y)*Vf + (mg1+m’(Vf/Vg)+x)*Vg
Change in volume = Final volume – initial of LPG transferred (m’)
(mf1-m’-x)*Vf+(mg1+m’*(Vf/Vg)+x)*Vg – mf1*Vf+mg1*Vg = m’Vf
Simplifying: x*(Vg-Vf) = m’*Vf
x = m’*Vf/(Vg-Vf) = 0.032404 m3
Total volume taken up for transfer = (m’+y)*Vf = 890.9425 m3
m' + x = 491213.66
m’ + 0.032404*m’ = 491213.66
m’ = 475796 kg = 862.97862 m3 (96.86131 %)
x = 15417.67 kg = 27.963914 m3 (3.138689 %)
It is seen that during transfer of about 891 m3 of LPG, only about 97%
reaches the customer, and 3% is vaporized and remains within the Horton
sphere.
[Calculation of vaporization of liquid LPG inside the tank during
transfer of the liquid LPG]