Tank hit by propeller explosion

[emoreira]

I'm watching one AxMen chapter in the History Channel. The guy speaking is telling that a friend was diving in a place full of power boats, when the propeller of a boat hit the tank of his friend. The tank exploded causing the death of his friend.
Is this possible ?
This is something that should be analized by the Mythbusters.

 

[Croomrider]

I have very little doubt that it is possible!

Mike

 

[luscioman]

It was on myth busters and it didn't explode. They did it based on jaws and the tank being shot and exploding. So it has been busted.

 

[RJP]

It might possibly rupture, even somewhat violently, but it would not explode.

(Mythbusters couldn't even get a propane tank full of propane to explode by shooting it.)

 

[dumpsterDiver]

My understanding is that a diver was killed by an exploding tank when hit by a prop from a large boat in the Manasquan Inlet. I had a friend who claimed to have witness the explosion while on the bow of a boat following the one that hit the diver. Around 1975? I think I heard they only found a fin, so maybe it didn't "explode"?

 

[BRT]

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

 

[Akimbo]

I saw an industrial cylinder explode, with a little help from a very small shape charge. I believe there was enough force at 2000 PSI to sink a small boat. I doubt a fiberglass boat would survive an exploding Scuba tank that was near full. The point is you would probably hear of boat and passenger damage if an explosion occurred.

I can see it happening with a stainless steel high speed prop versus an Aluminum Scuba bottle. The failure caused by a rifle shot would be much different than a prop. OK, who is going to send this one to Myth Busters?

 

[kelemvor]

I can see it happening with a stainless steel high speed prop versus an Aluminum Scuba bottle. The failure caused by a rifle shot would be much different than a prop. OK, who is going to send this one to Myth Busters?

I don't think I'll bother this time. They still haven't covered the thin layer of water in a wetsuit question.

 

[Bob DBF]

Definition of Explosion - a violent expansion in which energy is transmitted outward as a shock wave.

I'd say a 3000# tank opened up would produce a violent expansion, and I would not want to be in the way. I was always trained, even before SCUBA, that a HP tank should be respected, not only for it's contents, but for the damage the HP itself can produced when loosed. I cringe, and look for cover, the way some divers handle their tanks.



Bob
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This space for rent.

 

[kelemvor]

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

St. Pete veteran killed by exploding scuba tank

The force of the explosion blew out the front door and windows of Vanhorn's apartment at 5875 37th Ave. N. The explosion also sent debris flying as far away as 75 feet. Some of that debris blew out the windows of cars parked nearby.