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Tank Design (Read 2033 times)
triton
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Tank Design
Nov 6th, 2008, 10:34am
 
Good Day All
 
On our Vulcan rocket, we had a welded Ali tank of 3.2mm wall ,   101mm dia by 1600mm with flat bulkheads. It is a pregnant dog to clean the inside.
 
So, .... would a tank "work/hold together" if we used 3.2mm thick wall 101mm dia Ali with bolt on bulkheads. Say two large O-rings with 8  X 6mm stainless bolts.
 
"they" say the bolts will sear off because of the pressure and extreme cold of N2o. Is this so?
 
Need to design a better tank for a higher flight.
 
Albert
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rocketdev
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Re: Tank Design
Reply #1 - Nov 7th, 2008, 7:40am
 
The bolts are certainly strong enough even a lower class of bolt in steel. But the bearing strength of the aluminum wall is not sufficient. I say this without knowing what kind of aluminum you are using, but assuming a weldable 6061 in a moderate temper.
 
The "cold" is not a problem as N2O is generally not used as a cryogenic liquid but as an ambient temperature liquid.
 
So the critical factor is bearing strength here, often true with aluminum cases with bolt circles.
 
bearing load maximum  =  wall thickness x bolt diameter x bearing strength
 
Bearing strength for 6061 in American Standard units is 20,000 psi for condition T6
 
You need to exceed the load divided by the number of bolts in bearing strength.
 
If you need more help just ask.
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triton
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Re: Tank Design
Reply #2 - Nov 7th, 2008, 9:23am
 
Thanks for the reply.
 
Sad thing is... In south Africa , you ask for 6061 but it might not be. (Get a sale)
 
Would you know of a Xel spread sheet to design a tank with bulkhead bolts.
 
Thanks
AL
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kuzimm
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Re: Tank Design
Reply #3 - Nov 14th, 2008, 11:33pm
 
Hi all, a new poster to the forum
I am part of the ucla rocket team, we are currently looking at designs for the tank to hold our N2O, as the oxidizer for our fuel. We are wondering if carbon fiber is a resonable tank material? If it is, is the weight saved worth it? If not any suggestions on light-weight metal tanks that would get the job done for us?
 
Thanks for all your help,
Kurt
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triton
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Re: Tank Design
Reply #4 - Nov 15th, 2008, 9:01am
 
Same here. there must be a lighter option than 3 - 4mm Alum. What if we use a 0.8mm S Steel? would that work.
 
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rocketdev
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Re: Tank Design
Reply #5 - Nov 15th, 2008, 12:17pm
 
Simple answer- go to Rich Nakka's site and download "Casing" which is an excel utility for analyzing strength of pressure vessel walls.
 
Plug in your numbers, out drops the pressure rating along with a few other useful numbers.
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triton
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Re: Tank Design
Reply #6 - Nov 26th, 2008, 11:30am
 
Thanks for that one , will use it
 
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