Suitability of wheels/turbines for generating electricity or driving machinery.

[PhysicsStudy]

Homework Statement

Discuss the suitability for generating electricity or directly driving mechanical machinery.

High breast water wheel:
Head/m 4.65
Flow rate*/m3 s−1 1.0
Power/kW 39.4
Diameter/m 7.0
Width or height/m 2.5
Mass/kg 14 143
Power-to-weight ratio/W kg−1 2.8

This leads to the following additional data...
Torque = 72572 Nm
Angular momentum = 72572 Nms
Rotational kinetic energy = 60.80 kJ

Victor water turbine:
Head/m 5.55
Flow rate*/m3 s−1 0.8
Power/kW 36.6
Diameter/m 0.76
Width or height/m 0.7
Mass/kg 534
Power-to-weight ratio/W kg−1 68.5

This leads to the following additional data...
Torque = 807.5 Nm
Angular momentum = 807.5 Nms
Rotational kinetic energy = 16.91kJ

Homework Equations

-

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm thinking that a power output of 35-40kW (i.e. both of them) is suitable for small-scale electricity generation.

However, to directly drive industrial machinery a high torque and angular momentum would be required, hence only the high breast water wheel is suitable for that task.

There are 6 marks for this question, which seems rather a lot for such hand-wavery. Can anyone point out what I can do for greater detail, or where my logic may have gone wrong?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[KataKoniK]

I would first analyze the data provided and compare the two options based on their technical specifications and performance. The high breast water wheel has a higher power output, torque, and angular momentum compared to the Victor water turbine. This makes it more suitable for directly driving mechanical machinery which requires high torque and rotational force.

Additionally, the high breast water wheel has a larger diameter and width/height, which means it can handle larger and heavier loads compared to the smaller and lighter Victor water turbine. This is important when considering the type of machinery that needs to be driven.

On the other hand, the Victor water turbine has a higher power-to-weight ratio, which makes it more suitable for generating electricity. This means it can produce more power with less mass, making it a more efficient option for electricity generation.

Furthermore, the flow rate and head of the high breast water wheel are higher than that of the Victor water turbine. This means that it can utilize more water and generate more power, making it a better option for larger scale electricity generation.

In conclusion, both options have their strengths and weaknesses. The high breast water wheel is more suitable for directly driving mechanical machinery, while the Victor water turbine is better for smaller scale electricity generation. It ultimately depends on the specific needs and requirements of the project or industry.