TechHub Journal Vol. 1, No. 2 pp.

1-5 (2021)
ISSN: 2810-2800
www.techhubresearch.com

A short note on a technique for solving mixing problems by

using the Laplace transform
(1,∗) (2,3)
Fatima Omer Alnoor , T hwiba Abdulslam Khalid

1
Department of Mathematics ,Faculty of science and Arts Northern Border University,Turaif ,Saudi Arabia.
2
Department of Mathematics ,Faculty of science and Arts ,Al-Baha University,Baljurashi , Saudi Arabia .
3
Academy of Engineering and Medical Science,Khartoum,Sudan.
Correspondence Author E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
In this paper, technique in a Matlab for solving the mixing problem using the Laplace trans-
formation is provided. In general, a Matlab function has been developed to estimate and compute
the solution to a mixing issue. The program’s output displays the elapsed time, the solution, and
its numbers.

keywords
Mixing problems , Laplace transform , A technique .

1 Introduction
The paper focuses on using the Laplace transform to handle mixed problems related to an ODE.
The main goal of this paper is to use Laplace transforms to solve differential equations (ODE) with
conditions (mixed problems).
For this, we will attempt to describe a theoretical example in order to gain a practical understanding
of how to apply the theory.
To tackle mixed issues connected with ODE, using the Laplace transform. The amount of salt in
a mixing tank is a common mixing problem. At a specific rate, salt and water enter the tank, mix
with what’s already there, and then exit at a particular rate. To model the problem, we’ll build a
differential equation and solve it.
The time, t, in some appropriate unit, shall be the independent variable (seconds, minutes, etc).
It’s not always clear whether to use the salt concentration in the liquid or the amount of salt as a
dependent variable. It’s normally easier to use the quantity, Q. (again, in appropriate units such as
kilograms)[[1],[5]].

1.1 definition
The Laplace integral of a function f(t) defined for 0 ≤ t < ∞ is define by
Z ∞
L[f (t)] = e−st f (t)dt (1)
0

whenever the improper integral converges.

Z ∞ Z k
L[f (t)] = e−st f (t)dt = lim e−st f (t)dt
0 k→∞ 0

The proper Laplace Transform for a function f (t) is indicated as L[f (t)], where L is the operator
applied to the time domain function f(t).[4]

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 TechHub Journal Vol. 1, No. 2 pp.1-5 (2021)
ISSN: 2810-2800
1.2 Inverse of Laplace Transform www.techhubresearch.com
L[f (t)] = F (s), then L−1 [F (s)] = f (t) is called inverse Laplace Transform of F (s)

2 Mixing problems
The one-compartment system proposes that the derivative of x with respect to time can be read at
the rate of change in the amount of a substance in a compartment over time. A function x(t) is used
to represent the rate at which a substance enters and exits a compartment.
dx
= rate in − rate out
dt
as a mathematical model of the process. The one-compartment system is an useful representation of
the mixing of fluids in a tank. The rates at which this substance enters and exits the tank will be
done by calculation . The input rate is calculated by multiplying the flow rate (volume/time) by the
concentration (amount/volume).
The intended output rate of the chemical is obtained by multiplying this concentration by the mixture’s
exit rate. The substance’s output rate is frequently more difficult to estimate. By dividing the amount
x(t) by the volume of the mixture in the tank at time t, we may calculate the concentration of that
chemical.

3 Applications
Example:
In the tank holds 1000 gallons of water in which 100 pound of salt is originally dissolved. Brine is
delivered at a rate of 10 gallon per minute, with each gallon containing 5 pound of dissoved salt.
Stirring keeps the mixture in the tank consistent. At a rate of 10 gal per minute, the brine will run
out. Calculate the amount of salt in the tank at any point in time t.[3]
dx
dt= Salt inflow rate − Salt outflow rate
         
dx pound pound gal x(t) pound gal
= 5 × 10 − × 10 (2)
dt minute gal minute 1000 gal minute
dx
= 50 − 0.01x(t)
dt
Take both sides’ Laplace transforms now.
   
dx 10x(t)
L +L = L{50} (3)
dt 1000

10 50
sx(s) − x(0) + x(s) =
1000 s
10 50
sx(s) − 100 + x(s) =
1000 s
50
(s + 0.01)x(s) = + 100
s
50 100
x(s) = + (4)
s(s + 0.01) s + 0.01
By Partial fraction
5000 5000 100
−
x(s) = +
s s + 0.01 s + 0.01
On both sides, apply the Inverse Laplace Transform.
     
−1 5000 500 100
L {x(s)} = L
−1
−L −1
+L −1
(5)
s s + 0.01 s + 0.01
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 TechHub Journal Vol. 1, No. 2 pp.1-5 (2021)
ISSN: 2810-2800
x(t) = [5000 − 4900e−0.01t ] (6)
www.techhubresearch.com
Example:
A tank contains 200 liters of fluid in which 30 grams of salt is dissolved. Brine containing 1 gram of
salt per liter is then pumped into the tank at a rate of 4 L/min; the well-mixed solution is pumped
out at the same rate. Find the number x(t) of grams of salt in the tank at time t.[6]
Solution:
dx
dt = Salt inflow rate − Salt outflow rate

dx
= 4 − 0.02x(t) (7)
dt
Take both sides’ Laplace transforms now.
   
dx 4x(t)
L +L = L{4} (8)
dt 200

1 4
sx(s) − x(0) + x(s) = (9)
50 s
1 4
sx(s) − 30 + x(s) =
50 s
4
(s + 0.02)x(s) = + 30
s
4 30
x(s) = + (10)
s(s + 0.02) s + 0.01
By Partial fraction
200 200 30
x(s) = − +
s s + 0.02 s + 0.02
On both sides, apply the Inverse Laplace Transform.
     
−1 200 200 30
L {x(s)} = L
−1
−L −1
+L −1
(11)
s s + 0.02 s + 0.02

x(t) = [200 − 170e−0.02t ] (12)

4 Technique of Solution
The Matlab program is used , For a and b are constant ODE coefficients, x0 is x(0) . After calling the
matlplace.m function, the initial conditions and function f(t) must be entered.[2] In Matlab’s editor
window, the following Matlab Techniques are defined:
function [a,b,x0]=laplace(a,b,x0)
syms s t X
f=input(’input function f=’);
tic
F =laplace(f,t,s);
Xt = s * X - x0;
Sol = solve(a*Xt + b*X-F,X);
disp(’The Laplace transfromation solution is ’)
x=ilaplace(Sol,s,t)
toc
ezplot(x)
grid on
title(’Figure of The Laplace transfromation solution ’)
xlabel(’t’),ylabel(’x(t)’)
end
When you save the program to Matlab’s current folder and run it, it will discover a solution and
generate a graph with the elapsed time.

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 TechHub Journal Vol. 1, No. 2 pp.1-5 (2021)
ISSN: 2810-2800
To return to the example (1) www.techhubresearch.com
>>Laplace(1,0.01,100)
input function f=50
The Laplace transformation solution is
x(t) = 5000 − 4900 ∗ exp(−t/100)
Elapsed time is 0.075452 seconds.

Figure 1: The Laplace transformation solution

To return to the example (1)

>> Laplace(1,0.02,30)
input function f=4
The Laplace transformation solution is
x(t) = 200 − 170 ∗ exp(−t/50)
Elapsed time is 0.079348 seconds.

Figure 2: The Laplace transformation solution

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 TechHub Journal Vol. 1, No. 2 pp.1-5 (2021)
ISSN: 2810-2800
Conclusion www.techhubresearch.com
We can see the utility of the Laplace Transforms in tackling mixed issues connected with an ODE
in this study, which makes the calculations easier. We can only observe the solution to the mixing
problem in this case. By differential equations MATLAB was used to solve these equations.
The paper revisit the classic calculus problem of representing brine flow in a system of tanks linked by
pipes. We show that the related linear system of differential equations can be solved analytically for
various tank layouts including an arbitrary number of tanks. Finally, we look at how solutions for a
general closed system of tanks behave asymptotically. The study of the Laplace transform for directed
graphs turns out to be strongly related to the problem.

References
[1] Antoı́nio Camunga, Tchikoko. Application of the laplace transform to solve mixed problems asso-
ciated with a partial differential equation. IOSR Journal of Mathematics, 16(2):50–54, 2020.
[2] Bawar Mohammed Faraj, Faraedoon Waly Ahmed, et al. On the matlab technique by using laplace
transform for solving second order ode with initial conditions exactly. Matrix Science Mathematic,
3(2):8–10, 2019.

[3] Erwin Kreyszig, K Stroud, and G Stephenson. Advanced engineering mathematics. Integration,
9:4, 2008.
[4] R Kent Nagle, Edward B Saff, and Arthur David Snider. Fundamentals of differential equations.
Pearson, 2014.
[5] Antonı́n Slavı́k. Mixing problems with many tanks. The American Mathematical Monthly,
120(9):806–821, 2013.
[6] Dennis G Zill. A first course in differential equations with modeling applications. Cengage Learning,
2012.