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Vertical Tank Draining Time Formulas and Calculator

Fluids and Flow Engineering and Design
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Design and Engineering
Pressure Vessel Engineering and Design

Draining Time for Vertical Tank Formulas and Calculator


Draining Time for Vertical Tank Formulas and Calculator

Vertical Tank Drain from Bottom

t = ( π D2 h(1/2) ) / ( 16.05 Cd An )

Where:

t = time to empty in seconds,
D = diameter of the cylinder, ft,
h = height of liquid in the cylinder, ft,
Cd = Discharge coefficient,
0.61 for sharp-edged orifice
0.8 for short flush mounted nozzle
0.98 for rounded orifice
An = Cross-sectional area of drain opening (orifice / nozzle) based on ID of orifice / nozzle, ft2 ,
An = π/4 ( d / 12)2

References:

Reference: Section 5, Chemical & Process Plant Engineering
Standard Handbook of Engineering Calculations, 4th Edition, Tyler G. Hicks