Question

Suppose that a large mixing tank initially holds 500 gallons of water in which 50 pounds of salt have been dissolved. Another brine solution is pumped into the tank at a rate of 3 gal/min, and when the solution is well stirred, it is then pumped out at a slower rate of 2 gal/min. If the concentration of the solution entering is 2 lb/gal, determine a differential equation (in lb/min) for the amount of salt A(t) (in lb) in the tank at time t > 0. (Use A for A(t).)

Answer 1

Answer:

$A=1500-1450e^{-\dfrac{t}{250}}$

Step-by-step explanation:

The large mixing tank initially holds 500 gallons of water in which 50 pounds of salt have been dissolved.

Volume = 500 gallons

Initial Amount of Salt, A(0)=50 pounds

Brine solution with concentration of 2 lb/gal is pumped into the tank at a rate of 3 gal/min

$R_{in}$ =(concentration of salt in inflow)(input rate of brine)

$=(2\frac{lbs}{gal})( 3\frac{gal}{min})\\R_{in}=6\frac{lbs}{min}$

When the solution is well stirred, it is then pumped out at a slower rate of 2 gal/min.

Concentration c(t) of the salt in the tank at time t

Concentration, $C(t)=\dfrac{Amount}{Volume}=\dfrac{A(t)}{500}$

$R_{out}$=(concentration of salt in outflow)(output rate of brine)

$=(\frac{A(t)}{500})( 2\frac{gal}{min})\\R_{out}=\dfrac{A}{250}$

Now, the rate of change of the amount of salt in the tank

$\dfrac{dA}{dt}=R_{in}-R_{out}$

$\dfrac{dA}{dt}=6-\dfrac{A}{250}$

We solve the resulting differential equation by separation of variables.  

$\dfrac{dA}{dt}+\dfrac{A}{250}=6\\ The integrating factor: e^{\int \frac{1}{250}dt} =e^{\frac{t}{250}}\\ Multiplying by the integrating factor all through\\\dfrac{dA}{dt}e^{\frac{t}{250}}+\dfrac{A}{250}e^{\frac{t}{250}}=6e^{\frac{t}{250}}\\(Ae^{\frac{t}{250}})'=6e^{\frac{t}{250}}$

Taking the integral of both sides

$\int(Ae^{\frac{t}{250}})'=\int 6e^{\frac{t}{250}} dt\\Ae^{\frac{t}{250}}=6*250e^{\frac{t}{250}}+C, (C a constant of integration)\\Ae^{\frac{t}{250}}=1500e^{\frac{t}{250}}+C\\ Divide all through by e^{\frac{t}{250}}\\A(t)=1500+Ce^{-\frac{t}{250}}$

Recall that when t=0, A(t)=50 (our initial condition)

$50=1500+Ce^{-\frac{0}{250}}50=1500+Ce^{0}\\C=-1450\\ Therefore the amount of salt in the tank at any time t is:\\A=1500-1450e^{-\dfrac{t}{250}}$