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How to Calculate Heat Loss in an Owens Corning Tank

Fiberglass is used extensively in insulation and fiberglass reinforced tanks. Owens Corning produces a wide range of fiberglass reinforced tanks. With uninsulated fiberglass tanks used to store liquid material, there is heat loss to the environment if the ambient air temperature is less than the liquid material temperature.

Things You'll Need

Pen
Paper
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the size of the fiberglass tank, and calculate the overall cross sectional area (A) for heat transfer. For instance, assume an Owens Corning fiberglass tank has a diameter of 6 feet and a height of 10 feet. Using the formula A = (d)^2 x 3.14 / 4, the cross sectional area is 6^2 x 3.14 / 4 or 28.3 square feet.
- 2
  Determine the overall heat transfer coefficient (U) by referring to the "Handbook of Polymer Science and Technology." The coefficient is 0.086 Btu/hr ft2 deg F.
- 3
  Determine the overall temperature difference (dT) between the tank contents and the outside air. For instance, assume the tank material is 100 deg F and the outside air temperature is 50 deg F. Therefore the temperature difference is 50 deg F (100-50).
- 4
  Determine the rate of heat loss (Q) using the formula Q = U x A x dT. This calculates the heat loss to be 0.086 x 28.3 x 50 or 121.7 Btu/hr.

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