Choosing the Right Propane Tank for Your Home in Rural Areas
Understanding the Calculation
Using the ideal gas law formula PV = nRT, where n = PV/RT, we can calculate the number of moles of propane consumed per hour:
n = 1 atm x 165 L / (0.08206 L atm / kmol x 298 K) = 6.75 mol propane
Next, we calculate the mass of propane:
6.75 mol x 44 g/mol = 296.88 g
Converting this mass to kilograms:
296.88 g / 1000 g/kg = 0.30 kg
Calculating the volume in liters this mass represents by dividing by the density:
0.30 kg / 0.5077 kg/L = 0.59 L
Converting this to gallons:
0.59 L x 1 gallon / 3.785 L = 0.15 gallon
Finally, we calculate how many hours the 400-gallon propane tank will deliver:
400 gallons / 0.15 gallon/hr = 2666.7 hours