Would someone please calculate... ?

[Externet]

Hi.

Unable to rescue by books at the moment, and several decades after the university years, cannot remember enough to calculate this :

 

A paddle wheel with 1m² paddles (1m x 1m) is turned by a river flowing at 0.5 m/sec.

What is the horsepower generated?

 

-The paddle wheel is attached to a pier, the paddles submerge fully when at the low point.-

 

Or, if someone can lend me the formulas, thanks!

Miguel

[mezarashi]

Hmm, I don't know of any formula for this (if one exists at all), but you can work on the equation:

 

Power = Force x velocity

 

as in the force on the paddle versus the velocity in which it is moving. The only problem I see is finding the force on the paddle wheel. What is the force required to anchor a paddle of 1 square meter in a river moving at that speed? o.o

[MetaFrizzics]

Do you want to assume a friction-free axle and no load?

[Externet]

Hi.

Yes, disregarding friction. Now the no load part cannot understand... If there is no load considered, then there is no power ¿?

Am unsure if I calculated this 30 years ago with a result of 50HP, I may be confused.

I do not remember well if the diameter of the wheel calculated irrelevant, but I think so.

 

The point is knowing the capability of such 1m² paddle wheel to replace a current diesel engine used for pumping water from the same river for irrigation. If the result is not enough, then increasing the area of the paddles to be built.

 

Miguel

[Externet]

Perhaps was improperly expressed... Would the words WATER WHEEL make more sense than paddle wheel?

Miguel

[Sisyphus]

Shouldn't it make a difference how many paddles there are?