Topic starter
15/01/2007 3:21 pm
What is the formula for determining the horsepower rating of a steam engine? Would the same formula apply equally to a high pressure engine as to a low pressure condensing engine?
15/01/2007 3:38 pm
Michael,
This was discussed in great detail some months back...you should be able to use the "search" function and get the info. you need. I tell you this because it is rather complicated, and over my head, I know.
15/01/2007 5:41 pm
The formula for a simple non-condensing engine is:
Indicated Horse Power = PLAN/33,000, in which P is the mean effective pressure per square inch, L is the length of the stroke in feet, A is the area of the piston in square inches and N is the number of strokes per minute. The trick is to determine the mean effective pressure, which is considerably less than boiler pressure. After doing this arithmetical exercise, take note that the number on your house front is probably as accurate a measure of horsepower as any.