Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: warmare on 17/05/2008 13:18:11

Title: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: warmare on 17/05/2008 13:18:11

if we bring a burning match near to the water tank which is always kept covered, there is explosion. How this happens ?

thanxx

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: neilep on 17/05/2008 13:30:33

Hi warmare...welcome to the site.

That's an interesting question !....does that really happen ?...might it have something to do with a build up of oxygen between the layer of water and the enclosure of the tank I wonder ?

Hopefully an answer will come soon !

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 17/05/2008 13:40:06

wait, what? tell me more about your water tank, it can't just an oxygen layer because it needs a fuel also to explode.

is it a rain water tank? what do you mean by covered, is it just an open tank with a roof over it? or do you mean if you take the lid off it or something and bring flame to it it explodes?

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: neilep on 17/05/2008 13:43:40

Could it be a tank of ' rotten water 'filled with decomposing stuff  generating methane ?

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: Karen W. on 17/05/2008 14:04:25

That sounds plausible...

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: warmare on 17/05/2008 15:51:59

we have a cement water tank in which we store water for our daily use and this water tank is always remained closed by placing it's cover over it.

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: lightarrow on 17/05/2008 20:48:30

Quote from: warmare on 17/05/2008 15:51:59

we have a cement water tank in which we store water for our daily use and this water tank is always remained closed by placing it's cover over it.

Is it possible some electric short-cicuit inside the water, generatig hydrogen and oxygen by electrolisys?

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 18/05/2008 08:43:08

Does the explosion produce a visible flame?

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: Bored chemist on 18/05/2008 13:24:57

Methane is by far the most likely explanation.

Title: Re: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 18/05/2008 15:35:13

Indeed. you should take a good look at it, you could be drinking contaminated water

Title: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: lyner on 19/05/2008 09:33:51

Quote from: lightarrow on 17/05/2008 20:48:30

Quote from: warmare on 17/05/2008 15:51:59

we have a cement water tank in which we store water for our daily use and this water tank is always remained closed by placing it's cover over it.

Is it possible some electric short-cicuit inside the water, generatig hydrogen and oxygen by electrolisys?

And the electrical energy source - to produce sufficient H2 and O2 for the explosion?

Title: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 20/05/2008 02:27:42

If the rain runs off the roof through a gutter and filter, as it passes through possibly some decaying leaves and muck stuck in the gutter, could methane gas dissolve into the water? and then slowly evaporate out of it when its sitting in the tank? Then as water was used and more water came in more methane would leech out slowly building up enough of it to cause the explosion? When i was a boy we lived far out of town on a sugar cane farm and we had a similar setup, 2 big concrete tanks full of water that just came straight off the roof and through a very simple filter. How did you discover that it explodes near flame?

Title: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: lightarrow on 21/05/2008 19:22:24

Quote from: sophiecentaur on 19/05/2008 09:33:51

Quote from: lightarrow on 17/05/2008 20:48:30

Quote from: warmare on 17/05/2008 15:51:59

we have a cement water tank in which we store water for our daily use and this water tank is always remained closed by placing it's cover over it.

Is it possible some electric short-cicuit inside the water, generatig hydrogen and oxygen by electrolisys?

And the electrical energy source - to produce sufficient H2 and O2 for the explosion?

I was thinking to the possibility that the tank had some electric pump and or a valve to control the water's level.

Title: Why should a covered water tank explode?
Post by: wenger230 on 27/12/2010 14:20:25

Installing a rainwater tank is both cost effective and environmentally friendly as it will enable you to harvest rainwater from your gutters.
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