Enter the pounds per hour, specific heat, and temperature change in the barrel to calculate the extruder power required.

## Extruder Power Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the power required by an extruder.

EP = .00053* mdot * c * T
• Where EP is the extruder power (horsepower, hp)
• mdot is the output (lbs /hr)
• c is the specific heat (BTU/hr-F)
• T is the change in temperature (F)

To calculate the extruder power, multiply output, by the specific heat, then multiply that result by the temperature rise.

## What is Extruder Power?

Definition:

Extruder power is a measure of the total energy per unit time that an extruder needs to be supplied with in order to properly run.

## How to calculate Extruder Power?

Example Problem:

The following example outlines how to calculate an extruder power requirement.

First, determine the output/mass flow rate. In this example, the output is 1000 lbs/hr.

Next, determine the specific heat of the material. This extruder material has a specific heat of .55 BTU/hr-f.

Next, determine the temperature change within the extruder. In this case, the change in temperature if 400F.

Finally, calculate the extruder power using the formula above:

EP = .00053* mdot * c * T

EP = .00053* 1000 * .55 * 400

EP = 116.6 hp