[MechEng10]

I would like to calculate how long it would take to dry out an enclosed tank. In this scenario the tank has a volume of 1000 cubic meters, 5 cubic meters of water is in the bottom of the tank, and the air space above the water is 100% relative humidity.  Once the tank is isolated from its process stream the vents will be opened and ambient air will be pumped into the tank to dry out the water.  Initially the tank will be under vacuum, but the air will not be pumped into the tank until it has returned to atmospheric pressure. How do I calculate how long it will take for the tank to be dried out and its internal environment match the outside ambient conditions?

Tank Volume = 1000 cubic meters, Water in tank = 5 cubic meters, air space above water in tank 100%RH, starting temperature in tank = 60 degrees Celsius

Air flow into tank = 500 cubic meter per hour, Ambient air temperature = 60 degrees Celsius, Ambient air relative humidity 50%RH

Any suggestion on how to approach this problem would be greatly appreciated.

[Corribus]

Does this help?

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/evaporation-water-surface-d_690.html

[Enthalpy]

This is a big air throughput. Without additional measures, I suspect water evaporation won't make good use of it: air would exit dry and water stay in the tank.

If Corribus' link hints a too slow evaporation, you should consider bubbling the air in the water, spatting or raining the water in the air...

Or consider completely different methods. Evaporation has some drawbacks, especially it leaves deposits in the tank.