Calculating the Horsepower of a Steam Engine

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A steam chest is suppose to be the reservoir for supplying steam to a steam engine, and I think theoretically it is suppose to be the size of the swept cylinder, but I doubt many steam chests are that large.

I have seen surge tanks in water systems, I think to prevent water hammer mainly, but have never seen one in a steam system.
It is common to have condensate traps in steam lines.

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On an air cylinder, single cycle, operating a high voltage circuit breaker at high speed, it was necessary to have a 2in. bore sleeve valve between the air supply and 10 inch diameter piston. I.e. inlet was only 4% of the CSA of the piston/ bore. BUT, the stroke was only 5 inches, and after 3 inches the deceleration phasee commenced, using the reverse side of the piston and a controlled pneumatic dashpot.
The inlet would have needed to be larger to avoid what traditionally has been called "wire drawing", the air flow being restricted by the inlet port, so a pressure drop later in the stroke occurs.
The feed-pipe for the air receiver was 3 in ID, I.E. 2.25 x the inlet port CSA. Or 9% of piston CSA.
The system operated at 28 bar NWP, so the ratios FEED PIPE =9%, VALVE 4%, piston 100%, are a possible good guide as to these relative sizes.
What relative sizes are your steam engine?
K2
 
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