Specific power

Specific power

In engineering, the term specific power can refer to power either per unit of mass, volume or area, although power per unit of volume is more formally known as power density, and power per unit area as surface power density. [ [http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP811/sec04.html] ] The following sections give several examples of where these terms are used.

Power per unit of volume

*Heat engines can be characterized by their specific power, which is typically given in kilowatts per litre of engine displacement (in the U.S. also horsepower per cubic inch). The result offers an approximation of the peak-power output of an engine. This is not to be confused with fuel efficiency, since high-efficiency often requires a lean fuel-air ratio, and thus lower power density. A modern high-performance car engine makes in excess of 75 kW/L (1.65 hp/in³).

Power per unit of mass

*With batteries, specific power usually refers to the power-to-weight ratio, measured in kilowatts per kilogram (generally, kW/kg). Fuels are usually measured in terms of energy density, since the available power is usually not a limitation. A high-octane fuel actually burns more slowly, and due to engine dynamics this can actually allow an engine to produce more power. In high performance vehicles, the specific power determines the vehicle's acceleration.
*The specific power on a mass basis is also used to characterize solar panels for use in aerospace applications where this parameter is critical for an efficient launch.

Power per unit of area

* The intensity of electromagnetic waves can be expressed in W/m². An example of such a quantity is the solar constant.
* Wind turbines are often compared using a specific power measuring watts per square meter of turbine disk area, which is pi times the length of a blade squared. This measure is also commonly used for solar panels, at least for typical applications.

ee also

*Energy density
*Specific absorption rate (SAR)
*Power-to-weight ratio

References

External links

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/automobiles/13ULTRA.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&ref=automobiles&oref=slogin&oref=slogin Difference between energy density and power density] .


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • specific power — noun The ratio of the power produced by an object to its mass. A female blue whale may produce a specific power of up to 16 kilowatts per tonne when sprinting …   Wiktionary

  • specific power — savitoji galia statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Įrenginio galios ir jo masės (tūrio ar kitokio parametro) dalmuo. atitikmenys: angl. specific power vok. spezifische Leistung, f rus. удельная мощность, f pranc. puissance …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas

  • specific power — savitoji galia statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. specific power vok. spezifische Leistung, f rus. удельная мощность, f pranc. puissance massique, f; puissance spécifique, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • specific power — Смотри удельная мощность …   Энциклопедический словарь по металлургии

  • Specific impulse — (usually abbreviated I sp) is a way to describe the efficiency of rocket and jet engines. It represents the impulse (change in momentum) per unit of propellant. The higher the specific impulse, the less propellant is needed to gain a given amount …   Wikipedia

  • Power-to-weight ratio — (specific power) is a calculation commonly applied to engines and other mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power to weight ratio is a measurement of actual performance of any engine or power sources.… …   Wikipedia

  • Specific properties — ve properties] ) of that substance. For example, the density of steel (a specific and intrinsic property) can be derived from measurements of the mass of a steel bar (an extrinsic property) divided by the volume of the bar (another extrinsic… …   Wikipedia

  • Power of appointment — A power of appointment is a term most frequently used in the law of wills to describe the ability of the testator (the person writing the will) to select a person who will be given the authority to dispose of certain property under the will.… …   Wikipedia

  • Power line communication — or power line carrier (PLC), also known as power line digital subscriber line (PDSL), mains communication, power line telecom (PLT), power line networking (PLN), or broadband over power lines (BPL) are systems for carrying data on a conductor… …   Wikipedia

  • Power semiconductor device — Power semiconductor devices are semiconductor devices used as switches or rectifiers in power electronic circuits (switch mode power supplies for example). They are also called power devices or when used in integrated circuits, called power… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”