True Volume of AL 80?

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MSltr

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Location
Tulsa, OK USA
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I’m am trying to determine what is the correct volume of an AL 80 tank, at max pressure of 3000 psi, to use for SAC calculations. I have noticed in different threads that it has been described variously as either 77.4, 79.87, 80 and even 81.85 (navy dive tables). So which is the correct number to use to determine the tank factor at max pressure of 3000 psi? Is there a possibility that not all AL 80s are created equal?
 
A Luxfer AL80 has 77.4 cf.
Have a look to each manufacturer specs for their tanks. You can find them in the manufacturer's web site.
 
How accurate do you want the answer? This is the 'easy/accurate-ish' way of calculating it (assuming air behaves as an ideal gas, which it technically doesn't). The 'complicated/more accurate' way is too much for me to remember...

Weigh the tank empty (or close to, as in after a dive).
Weigh the tank full (or at least have some pressure in it).

The difference is the mass of the air. You know (or can measure) the change in pressure and the change in mass of the air inside and can thus calculate the volume.

Example (Metric, sorry to those in the imperial world - I don't know the ideal gas equation in imperial. Can always convery pounds to kg, psi to bar then convert litres to whatever you like at the end).

Mass (Fulll): 18 Kg
Mass (Empty): 16 Kg
Change in Mass: 2 Kg

Pressure (Full): 200 bar
Pressure (Empty): 50 bar
Change in Pressure: 150 bar

Now using the magic formula P*V = m*R*T, where:
P = Change in Pressure (MPa)
V = Volume (Litres)
m = Change in Mass (Kg)
R = Ideal gas constant (0.287 kJ/Kg-K for air)
T = Temperature (Kelvin) (Room temp ~ 293 K)

So, rearranging to make V the subject.

V = (m*R*T)/P
V = (2 * 0.287 * 293)/15
V = 11.2 Litres

Now, you want your answer in cubic feet?

Well then;

Gas Volume = Tank Volume * Pressure
So we have 11.2 * 206 = 2307.2 litres
1 litre = 0.035315 cubic feet,
so we have 2307.2 * 0.035315 = 81.1 cubic feet
 
Last edited:
Spimon,

That's a nice work-up of formulas and will help people understand some relationships.

To the OP's need however the resolution of pressure gauges won't lead to an accurate answer. In addition to the resolution SPGs are noted to wander at the low end and none of this stuff is calibrated in a meaningful way, even the digital gear.

The best answer lies in the manufacturer's tables or the compilations floating around. Note that all are typical volumes. There are variations in the forming process. The numbers provided are plenty accurate for tracking your air usage and 77.4 is the most commonly used value.

Pete
 
Mine has 3 volumes. Seriously. Full of air. Got some air still. And out of air. :D

I'm sorry. Since all the correct answers were already out there, I couldn't resist.

Have a great Wednesday everybody!
 

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