Question

An escalator in a shopping center is designed to move 50 people, 75 kg each, at a constant speed of 0.6 m/s at 450 slope. Determine: (a) The minimum power input needed to drive this escalator, and (b) What would your answer be if the escalator velocity were to be doubled?

Answer 1

Answer:

Power required to drive the escalator shall be equal to the rate at which the energies of the persons is increased.

$Energy=n\times mass\times g\times h\\\\\therefore Power=n\times mass\times g\times \frac{dh}{dt}\\\\Power=50\times 75\times 9.81\times 0.6sin(45)\\\\Power=15.607kW$

As we infer from the above equation If the velocity of the escalator is doubled then the Power required will also be doubled and become 31.215kW