howler

[tortoise]

From Landracing.com homepage:
 
"British Steam Car Challenge Coming to a Boil 
Written by Administrator     
Friday, 13 April 2007 
 . . . The boilers will generate a formidable four megawatts of energy – almost enough to power a small town for a day."

 
 

[sockjohn]

From Landracing.com homepage:
 
"British Steam Car Challenge Coming to a Boil 
Written by Administrator     
Friday, 13 April 2007 
 . . . The boilers will generate a formidable four megawatts of energy – almost enough to power a small town for a day."

 

They claim their turbine makes 350HP, and at 750 watts per HP, this comes out to around 275KW, which seems like the boiler is seriously over sized. 

Anyone know why?  I wouldn't be surprised that it's over sized, but this seems way over sized.

[JackD]

Hot Tea all around.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Tthere's confusion of time element in the statement:  "...four megawatts of energy – almost enough to power a small town for a day."

A megawatt is an instantaneous measurement.  Ergo the statement should read:  "... almost enough to power a small town."  Or, perhaps the statement could be changed to read "...four megawatt-hoursalmost enough to power a small town for a day."

The latter would imply that the complete boiler system has a limited supply of energy available to make the steam -- so many cu. ft. of natural gas, for instance, or so many lumps of coal, etc.  This is likely -- the car won't have a long tube attached to deliver a stream of gas, and probably won't have a coal car (tender) trailing behind with a guy shoveling coal like the dickens.

By the way, let's do some other math:  A common household electrical bill is for 500-750 kwh/month.  Assume 600 kwh/month for this exercise, divide by 30 days and come up with 20 kwh/day.  4 Mwh = 4000 kwh divided by 20/house = 200 houses.

Pretty small town, but there are some that size, especially way up north.

[Stainless1]

Tthere's confusion of time element in the statement:  "...four megawatts of energy – almost enough to power a small town for a day."

A megawatt is an instantaneous measurement.  Ergo the statement should read:  "... almost enough to power a small town."  Or, perhaps the statement could be changed to read "...four megawatt-hoursalmost enough to power a small town for a day."

The latter would imply that the complete boiler system has a limited supply of energy available to make the steam -- so many cu. ft. of natural gas, for instance, or so many lumps of coal, etc.  This is likely -- the car won't have a long tube attached to deliver a stream of gas, and probably won't have a coal car (tender) trailing behind with a guy shoveling coal like the dickens.

By the way, let's do some other math:  A common household electrical bill is for 500-750 kwh/month.  Assume 600 kwh/month for this exercise, divide by 30 days and come up with 20 kwh/day.  4 Mwh = 4000 kwh divided by 20/house = 200 houses.

Pretty small town, but there are some that size, especially way up north.

SSS, a little anal, maybe you are in the right job... 
There are actually a lot of small towns all over the country with less than 200 houses.  In the flat lands there are towns with 12 people and a grain elevator... OK seasonal power requirements may be higher... 

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Stainless:

I graduated with a liberal arts degree from an engineering college.  I may be the only guy you know that took "elective" courses like engineering physics, mathematical astronomy, math through diff. eq., etc. 

Being "anal" was taught in a 200-level course at Tech.

[tortoise]

Tthere's confusion of time element in the statement:  "...four megawatts of energy – almost enough to power a small town for a day."

A megawatt is an instantaneous measurement.  Ergo the statement should read:  "... almost enough to power a small town."

Also delete the "of energy", and we're OK. "Four megawatts of energy" is like "four miles per hour of distance".

[JackD]

The project certainly shows promise.

[Stainless1]

Stainless:

I graduated with a liberal arts degree from an engineering college.  I may be the only guy you know that took "elective" courses like engineering physics, mathematical astronomy, math through diff. eq., etc. 

Being "anal" was taught in a 200-level course at Tech.

I worked technical issues on antique airplanes for Boeing for over 25 years.... I thought I spotted some flaws in your BA.  Most of the guys I worked with took Anal 200 through 600.      

[Speed Limit 1000]

[/quote]

I worked technical issues on antique airplanes for Boeing for over 25 years.... I thought I spotted some flaws in your BA.  Most of the guys I worked with took Anal 200 through 600.      
[/quote]

SSS, Stainless is the king, he should really understand being anal.

[tortoise]

Being "anal" was taught in a 200-level course at Tech.

I see you're still active in anus-related work.

[smitty2]

I showed my neighbor my BA, and they had me arrested.

Smitty

[JGMagoo]

VOLUNTEER WANTED!

Must be willing to climb into tight, enclosed cockpit also containing steam boilers generating 4 megawatts of power on a 100-degree day in the desert.

Apply to:

British Steam Car Challenge......
Jolly Olde, England


JGMagoo

[JackD]

Perhaps if they booked some time on a Dude Ranch in Colorado and further developed their Calf Roping skills they would have less trouble getting a driver.
The Panatonic driver from Japan is probably available.
Magoo may already have that lined up.

[John Nimphius]

Maybe the guy in small town house # 201 would be willing to drive.  With not enough power left to keep him warm he may welcome the change.