[Vocabulary] power vs. capacity

[Jack8rkin]

Hello!
Could you please explain the difference between the terms "power" and "capacity" for the case with heaters, heat exchangers (HX) and nuclear reactors and the like equipment. Can I use both of them with respect to the themal units and electrical units? (E.g. Reactor thermal (heat) power/capacity? Reactor electric power/capacity? HX thermal (heat) power/capacity? Recuperator thermal (heat) power capacity?)

 

[ranok]

Power is usually how much electricity is can generate, capacity is the maximum amount, or the storage amount.

JT
*Not a teacher

 

[Jack8rkin]

How about steam generator capacity or boiler capacity? They do not store anything.

 

[SoothingDave]

Capacity is also the word to use when talking about how much something can produce. It's how much it is capable (root word) of doing what it is designed to do.

"The boiler has a capacity of so much pounds per hour of steam. "

So measuring how much something can produce or store is a "capacity."

"Power" usually literally means electricity, or some other form of Watts, power, the ability to do work.

You could even speak about the capacity of a generator to make watts.