Tank hit by propeller explosion

[Subcooled]

I'd probably rather have the prop open up my tank than my back.

Or my head

---------- Post added October 8th, 2013 at 01:37 PM ----------

The laws of physics state that when the high pressure tank gets ripped open, then the gas goes one way, and the tank goes the other way.

Like this: Scuba Tank - Valve Cut - YouTube

The tank moves at a slower speed though than the escaping air (speed*weight is equal)

Water will also slow down the event (and direct the force as stated in earlier post).

I don't know how it feels.
I don't know if this causes some damage to ones neck.
A violent pull on the neck is enough to kill a person.
I don't want to experience it, for sure.

 

[Akimbo]

…The laws of physics state that when the high pressure tank gets ripped open, then the gas goes one way, and the tank goes the other way...

That is true when the surrounding environment is equal and the valve is broken off. That is not the case here. The relatively small amount of water above effectively creates a shape-charge when the cylinder is split open. There is also the shockwave that much more damaging to soft tissue underwater at short range.

 

[cocoajoe]

Hmmm. Don't most boat props have a shear pin? They're designed to break the pin (and probably loose prop but not damage engine) if it hits something hard and unyielding like a rock. It's why I was told to always carry spare prop in my boat

 

[toddthecat]

All joking aside, tanks can and do explode violently when provoked.

St. Pete veteran killed by exploding scuba tank

The person they consulted about that article sure was misleading about how things work, particularly about a full tank not having room for gas to expand if heated later. The temperature change required to get a tank from 3000 to, say 4000, is huge. Then there's the matter of burst disks. This is the first I've heard of a tank just rupturing while being carried around. Sounds like there's a bit more to it than that. Oh and, "the tank is filled with nitrogen and oxygen, like the air you're breathing now". Keep it short and sweet. "the tank is filled with air" would suffice.

 

[Akimbo]

Hmmm. Don't most boat props have a shear pin? They're designed to break the pin (and probably loose prop but not damage engine) if it hits something hard and unyielding like a rock…

True for most high speed props, but that doesn’t necessarily protect the rock from significant damage. Shear pins are designed to protect the shaft and transmission, not the prop. I have seen a few props with broken shear pins. Some have very little damage and others have blades broken off. A blade broken off a stainless prop could do a lot of damage to an Aluminum cylinder before the pin goes.