Math Problem Statement

A brine solution of salt flows at a constant rate of

6

​L/min into a large tank that initially held

100

L of pure water. The solution inside the tank is kept well stirred and flows out of the tank at a rate of

5

​L/min. If the concentration of salt in the brine entering the tank is

0.5

​kg/L, determine the mass of salt in the tank after t min. When will the concentration of salt in the tank reach

0.1kg/L?

Solution

We are dealing with a classic mixing problem where salt enters a tank and mixes with water, while some of the solution flows out. The concentration of salt changes over time due to this inflow and outflow. Let's break this down step by step to derive the equation for the mass of salt in the tank after tt minutes and determine when the concentration of salt reaches 0.1kg/L0.1 \, \text{kg/L}.

Step 1: Define Variables

Let:

  • V(t)V(t) be the volume of the solution in the tank after tt minutes.
  • A(t)A(t) be the mass of salt (in kg) in the tank after tt minutes.

Step 2: Volume of Solution in the Tank

Initially, the tank contains 100 L of pure water, and brine flows in at 6 L/min while the solution flows out at 5 L/min. Therefore, the net rate of change in the volume of the solution is:

dVdt=6L/min5L/min=1L/min.\frac{dV}{dt} = 6 \, \text{L/min} - 5 \, \text{L/min} = 1 \, \text{L/min}.

So, after tt minutes, the volume of the solution is:

V(t)=100+tL.V(t) = 100 + t \, \text{L}.

Step 3: Differential Equation for Salt Mass A(t)A(t)

The mass of salt in the tank changes due to:

  • Inflow of salt: 0.5kg/L×6L/min=3kg/min0.5 \, \text{kg/L} \times 6 \, \text{L/min} = 3 \, \text{kg/min} entering the tank.
  • Outflow of salt: The concentration of salt in the tank at any time tt is A(t)V(t)\frac{A(t)}{V(t)}, and the outflow rate is 5L/min5 \, \text{L/min}. So, the rate of salt flowing out is 5×A(t)V(t)5 \times \frac{A(t)}{V(t)}.

Thus, the differential equation for the rate of change of salt mass is:

dAdt=35A(t)V(t).\frac{dA}{dt} = 3 - 5 \frac{A(t)}{V(t)}.

Substitute V(t)=100+tV(t) = 100 + t into this equation:

dAdt=35A(t)100+t.\frac{dA}{dt} = 3 - 5 \frac{A(t)}{100 + t}.

Step 4: Solve the Differential Equation

This is a linear first-order differential equation. We can solve it using an integrating factor.

  1. Write the equation in standard form:

dAdt+5100+tA(t)=3.\frac{dA}{dt} + \frac{5}{100 + t} A(t) = 3.

  1. The integrating factor μ(t)\mu(t) is:

μ(t)=e5100+tdt=e5ln(100+t)=(100+t)5.\mu(t) = e^{\int \frac{5}{100 + t} dt} = e^{5 \ln(100 + t)} = (100 + t)^5.

  1. Multiply the differential equation by the integrating factor:

(100+t)5dAdt+5(100+t)4A(t)=3(100+t)5.(100 + t)^5 \frac{dA}{dt} + 5(100 + t)^4 A(t) = 3(100 + t)^5.

The left-hand side is the derivative of (100+t)5A(t)(100 + t)^5 A(t), so we can rewrite it as:

ddt((100+t)5A(t))=3(100+t)5.\frac{d}{dt} \left( (100 + t)^5 A(t) \right) = 3(100 + t)^5.

  1. Integrate both sides with respect to tt:

(100+t)5A(t)=3(100+t)5dt=3(100+t)66+C.(100 + t)^5 A(t) = \int 3(100 + t)^5 dt = \frac{3(100 + t)^6}{6} + C.

Simplifying:

A(t)=(100+t)2+C(100+t)5.A(t) = \frac{(100 + t)}{2} + \frac{C}{(100 + t)^5}.

Step 5: Apply Initial Condition

Initially, the tank contains pure water, so A(0)=0A(0) = 0. Substituting t=0t = 0 and A(0)=0A(0) = 0 into the solution:

0=1002+C1005,0 = \frac{100}{2} + \frac{C}{100^5}, C=50×1005.C = -50 \times 100^5.

Now the solution for A(t)A(t) becomes:

A(t)=100+t250×1005(100+t)5.A(t) = \frac{100 + t}{2} - \frac{50 \times 100^5}{(100 + t)^5}.

Step 6: Find When Concentration Reaches 0.1kg/L0.1 \, \text{kg/L}

The concentration of salt in the tank is A(t)V(t)\frac{A(t)}{V(t)}. We want to find tt when the concentration is 0.1kg/L0.1 \, \text{kg/L}, i.e.,

A(t)100+t=0.1.\frac{A(t)}{100 + t} = 0.1.

Substitute the expression for A(t)A(t):

100+t250×1005(100+t)5100+t=0.1.\frac{\frac{100 + t}{2} - \frac{50 \times 100^5}{(100 + t)^5}}{100 + t} = 0.1.

This equation can now be solved numerically for tt.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Differential Equations
First-order Linear Differential Equations
Mixing Problems

Formulas

dA/dt = 3 - 5A(t)/(100 + t)
Integrating factor: μ(t) = (100 + t)^5
A(t) = (100 + t)/2 - 50 × 100^5/(100 + t)^5

Theorems

Linear First-order Differential Equations
Mixing Problem Dynamics

Suitable Grade Level

College-level Mathematics or Advanced High School Calculus