On Wed, 24 May 2006 09:27:01 -0400, Joseph Gwinn
wrote:

In article , "AL"
wrote:

I'm afraid I don't understand why the tank would go airborne. When I open
the drain valve with air still in the tank, my compressor doesn't hit the
ceiling. I'm thinking about a weak spot maybe 0.5 to 1" in diameter, sized
appropriately for the pump.

What does the assembly weigh and what is the burst pressure? If the
burst pressure is 300 psi and the disk is one inch in diameter, the
thrust at the moment of burst will be (Pi (0.5)^2)(300)= (0.785)(300)=
236 pounds. The impulse (integrated thrust) will be proportional to
tank volume.

Anyway, this thrust is enough to make most compressors move.

Joe Gwinn

Indeed.

Gunner


"The importance of morality is that people behave themselves even if
nobody's watching. There are not enough cops and laws to replace
personal morality as a means to produce a civilized society. Indeed,
the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of
defense for a civilized society. Unfortunately, too many of us see
police, laws and the criminal justice system as society's first line
of defense." --Walter Williams