Air Delivery Test - Norse Smelting Bellows

One topic discussed here has been reconstructions of a Viking Age double chamber bellows. (For those who have not been following the postings, I refer you to these past postings on Bellows Reconstruction : ONE / TWO / THREE)

At the November 8, 2008 smelt, Neil Peterson conducted a set of air volume tests using the reconstruction 'Smelter Bellows'

Bellows Test 2 - November 2008

Using the 'Smelter Test Bellows' - Norse Double Bag

Name	Range	Common	L/Min
Ron	58-69	68	727.6
Lloyd	50-85	76	813.2
Karen	50-65	62	663.4
Vandy	58-65	64	684.8
Neil	66-79	74	791.8
Ken	45-70	64	684.8
Darrell	58-68	64	684.8
Pierre	58-68	64	684.8
Pierre(2)	53-59	57	609.9
Yasmin	38-55	48	513.6
Anatoly	58-65	62	663.4

A comparison should be made to a similar set of tests undertaken by Neil at the October 2007 smelt, using the reconstructed BLACKSMITH's bellows (detailed HERE).

The key is comparing the air volumes produced by the various operators against the theoretical (but based on direct experience!) air requirements for the smelter sizes we use

Ideal Rates for Standard Smelter Sizes
Aneonometer Kph x 8.17 with 2.5 diameter tube

DIAMETER	AREA CM	@ 1.2 L/M	SPEED KpH	@ 1.5 L/M	SPEED kph
20	314	377	46	565	69
25	491	589	72	883	106
30	707	848	102	1272	155
28 x 28	784	941	115	1411	173
30	706	950	116	1400	170

The overal conclusion from the test is that this specific reconstruction will indead produce the volumes of air required to sucessfully smelt inside our standard 25 cm diameter smelters.