Appox. HP required for Canal Barge

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by WLDORPFELD, Jan 19, 2017.

  1. WLDORPFELD
    Joined: Jan 2017
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    Location: Albion,NY

    WLDORPFELD WLDORPFELD

    We're developing a concept involving a solar powered canal barges. Can anyone guesstimate the required HP needed to propel a 25' X 150' X 10', 1,000 ton capacity barge at 10 mph. We'd like to examine the visibility of employing GPS and proximity monitoring for remote controlled unmanned barges. I'm sure efficient hull design would also be a factor. Any interest or assistance would be appreciated.
     
  2. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    10 mph in a canal? I am assuming you mean a canal like the Erie canal. That would be a little fast and cause a lot of bank erosion. As for HP, not much. Early barges used mules and manpower. They moved at about 3 mph. walking speed.
     
  3. FAST FRED
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    FAST FRED Senior Member

    ^ is a more realistic speed in most canals.

    Just do the math for the skin friction of the wetted area , wave maling wont be a bother.

    Wind may require extra HP if speed is to be maintained.
     

  4. fredrosse
    Joined: Jan 2005
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    Location: Philadelphia PA

    fredrosse USACE Steam

    Barge Power

    Very Roughly, but in the ball park.

    For a reasonable displacement hull, "Hull Speed" is 1.3 * SQRT (LWL) = Knots

    Say 144 feet LWL, Hull Speed is 15.6 Knots, or 18 MPH.

    Displacement hulls require about 1.5 horsepower per ton at hull speed, thus 1500 horsepower would do for the hull speed of 18 MPH.

    For displacement hulls in deep water, the power required is approximately a cubic function of speed, up to the "Hull Speed", thus (10 MPH / 18 MPH ) ^3 = 17 % of the power needed to attain hull speed, or, in this case, 260 horsepower at 10 MPH.

    These numbers are crude, and in shallow water the power requirement will go up, depending on both the draft vs canal dept, and the barge beam vs canal width.
     
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