Differential Equations Mixture Prob: 1000 gallon tank with

hank

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Sep 13, 2006
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So I have this 1000 gallon tank with 500 gallons in it. In the water there is 50 lb of particulate matter.

At time = 0, pure water is added at 20gal/min and mixed solution is drained at 10gal/min.

I need to find out how much particulate matter is in the tank when it reaches overflowing.

Since water is flowing in at 20 and going out at 10, that's a net fill rate of 10. So since I have 500 gallons to fill, that should take me 50 mins.

Since the water is pure, my rate in looks like this:

20 gal/min * 0lbs/gal = 0 lbs/gal

Rate out:

10gal/min * ylbs/500gal = ylbs/50mins

Therefore:
dy/dt = 0 - y/50
dy/dt + y/50 = 0.

p(t) = 1/50, P(t) = t/50, q(t) = 0, u(t) = e^(t/50)

After doing the differential equation, I get 18.4 lbs.
However, the book says the answer should be 25 lbs.

Is my setup correct?

I end up with y(t) = 50e^(-t/50)
 
I would suggest, based on your reasoning, that the rate out should be 10 * y/(500 + 10t), as the volume in the tank changes with time.
 
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