Potential Gross Waterwheel Horsepower

The basic equation: HP = (H * Q ) / 540

HP == Horsepower
H == Net Head in feet
Q == Quantity in Cubic Feet per Minute
 

Two items are needed to determine the gross potential horsepower of a waterwheel or turbine. The HEAD and the Volume (CFM).

The Head is the distance that the water falls in feet. This is best done with a surveyor's instrument although it can be done with a carpenter's level and ruler. The Volume is the amount of water flow in [cu.ft. per minute]. This is best determined by the use of a Weir, When you have the H [head] in feet and the Q [volume] in cu.ft. per minute, you can use the simple formula. It is important to remember that this is the gross amount. The efficiency of the waterwheel and the loss's of the overall system will take away from the final figure.

Calculate your potential gross horsepower

Enter the Head Value:

Enter Water Volume in Cubic Feet:

Gross HP is:

* Water-activated bellows in a forge from Romelli, 1588. Note the use of a crank in this system as opposed to a cams or gears. From "Stronger than a hundred men" by Reynolds

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