Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Sun, June 21, 2009

Dear Stuart, The simplest way to calculate the horsepower of a waterwheel is
Horsepower = net head in feet times volume in cubic feet per minute, divided by 540.
Does that sound too simple? Unfortunately, at the moment I can't remember where I got the formula from, but it might be something suggested by James Watt. There must be some engineers out there somewhere...Mike

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Sat, June 27, 2009

Adam Marriott commented in Facebook:
simple forces equation, mass of water times gravity multiplied by length of lever / efficiency. water is 1kg/litre, gravity 9.81 multiplied by internal diameter to inside of shroud from axle. the wheel at Wellesbourne comes out about 22 hp being 17ft diameter and assuming that the breastshot buckets are all full and 60% efficient. (probably arbitrary) but its somthing like, you need around 6-8hp per pair of 4 foot stones.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Wed, July 01, 2009

As Mike Beacham probably saw, there was a lot of work done by the Boulton & Watt firm in measuring water-wheels around the country.
They calculated horsepower so that they could try to sell replacement steam-engines.
Birmingham City Library make the archive available and it can be searched online.

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