Derivation

A Parshall Flume relies on the conservation of energy principle. The sum of the
kinetic and potential energy at a given point must be equal to the energy at any
other point along the stream. The total energy or head must be equal.

Using the equations, we will solve for Q.

{\displaystyle E=y+{\frac {q^{2}}{2gy^{2}}}} {\displaystyle E=y+{\frac {q^{2}}

{2gy^{2}}}}
{\displaystyle q={\frac {Q}{b}}} {\displaystyle q={\frac {Q}{b}}}
{\displaystyle E_{1}+\Delta z=E_{2}+\Delta z=E_{3}} {\displaystyle E_{1}+\Delta
z=E_{2}+\Delta z=E_{3}}
Where E1 is the energy at Ha, E2 at the flume crest, and E3 at Hb respectively.

Since E2 is located at the flume crest where there is a steep drop, critical flow
conditions occur.

{\displaystyle E_{c}={\frac {3}{2}}\left({\frac {q^{2}}{g}}\right)^{\frac {1}

{3}}={\frac {3}{2}}y_{c}} {\displaystyle E_{c}={\frac {3}{2}}\left({\frac {q^{2}}
{g}}\right)^{\frac {1}{3}}={\frac {3}{2}}y_{c}}
Rearranging and substituting in the above equations, we get

{\displaystyle y_{1}+{\frac {\left({\frac {Q}{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}

{2gy_{1}^{2}}}={\frac {3}{2}}y_{c}} {\displaystyle y_{1}+{\frac {\left({\frac {Q}
{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}{2gy_{1}^{2}}}={\frac {3}{2}}y_{c}}
Or

{\displaystyle {\frac {2}{3}}\left(y_{1}+{\frac {\left({\frac {Q}

{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}{2gy_{1}^{2}}}\right)=y_{c}} {\displaystyle {\frac {2}
{3}}\left(y_{1}+{\frac {\left({\frac {Q}{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}
{2gy_{1}^{2}}}\right)=y_{c}}
Since we know that Q = v�y�b and v = vgyc at critical depth, we can use these
relationships to solve for the discharge.

{\displaystyle Q=b_{2}{\sqrt {g}}\left({\frac {2}{3}}\left(y_{1}+{\frac

{\left({\frac {Q}{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}{2gy_{1}^{2}}}\right)\right)^{\frac {3}{2}}}
{\displaystyle Q=b_{2}{\sqrt {g}}\left({\frac {2}{3}}\left(y_{1}+{\frac
{\left({\frac {Q}{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}{2gy_{1}^{2}}}\right)\right)^{\frac {3}{2}}}
Broken further down, we realize that

{\displaystyle {\frac {\left({\frac {Q}{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}{2gy_{1}^{2}}}={\frac

{v^{2}}{2g}}} {\displaystyle {\frac {\left({\frac {Q}{b_{1}}}\right)^{2}}
{2gy_{1}^{2}}}={\frac {v^{2}}{2g}}}
And

{\displaystyle E_{1}=y_{1}+{\frac {v^{2}}{2g}}} {\displaystyle E_{1}=y_{1}+{\frac

{v^{2}}{2g}}}
Since this is measured upstream, where flow is sub-critical, it can be stated that
y1 � v2/2g

Therefore, for a rough approximation we can say

{\displaystyle Q\approx b_{2}{\sqrt {g}}\left({\frac {2}{3}}y_{1}\right)^{\frac {3}

{2}}} {\displaystyle Q\approx b_{2}{\sqrt {g}}\left({\frac {2}
{3}}y_{1}\right)^{\frac {3}{2}}}
This equation simplifies to:

In ft3/s: {\displaystyle Q\approx 3.088(b_{2})y^{1.5}} {\displaystyle Q\approx

3.088(b_{2})y^{1.5}}
In m3/s: {\displaystyle Q\approx 1.704(b_{2})y^{1.5}} {\displaystyle Q\approx
1.704(b_{2})y^{1.5}}
These final two equations are very similar to the Q = CHan equations that are used
for Parshall flumes. In fact when looking at the flume tables, n has a value equal
to or slightly greater than 1.5, while the value of C is larger than (3.088 b2) but
still in a rough estimation. The derived equations above will always underestimate
actual flow since both the derived C and n values are lower than their respective
chart values.

For the Parshall flume equation used to calculate the flow rate, both empirical
values C and n are known constants (with various values for each Parshall flume
size) leaving Ha (depth upstream) as the only variable needing to be measured.
Likewise, in the energy conservation equation, y1 (or the depth of flow) is needed.

Free vs. submerged flow

Free flow
When there is no �back water� to restrict flow through a flume. Only the upstream
depth needs to be measured to calculate the flow rate. A free flow also induces a
hydraulic jump downstream of the flume.
Submerged flow
When the water surface downstream of the flume is high enough to restrict flow
through a flume, submerged flume conditions exist. A backwater buildup effect
occurs in a submerged flume. For a flow calculation a depth measurement both
upstream and downstream is needed.
Although commonly thought of as occurring at higher flow rates, It should be noted
that submerged flow can exist at any flow level as it is a function of downstream
conditions. In natural stream applications, submerged flow is frequently the result
of vegetative growth on the downstream channel banks, sedimentation, or subsidence
of the flume.
Free flow E-Y diagram depiction
Illustrated above is a unitless E � Y diagram and how Energy and depth of flow
changes throughout a Parshall Flume. The two blue lines represent the q values, q1
for the flow before the constriction, and q2 representing the value at the
constriction (q = Q/b = ft2/s, or flow over width in a rectangular channel). When a
constriction (decrease in width) happens Between E1 and E2, the q value changed
(and becomes the new critical depth), while the energy remains the same. Then the
flume experiences a downward step which results in a gain in energy. This gain in
energy is equal to the size of the step (or ?z). From this the principles of
conservation of energy are used to develop a set of calculations to predict the
flow rate.

Parshall flume discharge values

For free flow, the equation to determine the flow rate is simply Q = CHan where:

Q is flow rate (ft3/s)

C is the free-flow coefficient for the flume (see Table 1 below)
Ha is the head at the primary point of measurement (ft)
(See Figure 1 above)

n varies with flume size (see Table 1 below)

Parshall flume discharge table for free flow conditions:[7]

Table 1
Throat width Coefficient (C) Exponent (n)
1 in 0.338 1.55
2 in 0.676 1.55
3 in 0.992 1.55
6 in 2.06 1.58
9 in 3.07 1.53
1 ft 3.95 1.55
1.5 ft 6.00 1.54
2 ft 8.00 1.55
3 ft 12.00 1.57
4 ft 16.00 1.58
5 ft 20.00 1.59
6 ft 24.00 1.59
7 ft 28.00 1.60
8 ft 32.00 1.61
10 ft 39.38 1.60
12 ft 46.75 1.60
15 ft 57.81 1.60
20 ft 76.25 1.60
25 ft 94.69 1.60
30 ft 113.13 1.60
40 ft 150.00 1.60
50 ft 186.88 1.60
For submerged flow, a depth of flow needs to be taken upstream (Ha) and downstream
(Hb). See locations of Ha and Hb in Figure 1.[7]

Flume size St
1�3 in 0.5
6�9 in 0.6
1�8 ft 0.7
10�50 ft 0.8
If Hb/Ha is greater or equal to St then it is a submerged flow. If there is
submerged flow, adjustments need to be made in order for the Parshall Flume to work
properly.

The discharge (Q) can be found using the following equations and table:

Qnet = Qfree flow � Qcorrection

Qcorrection = M (0.000132 Ha2.123 e9.284 St)
where:

S, Hb/Ha
M, multiplying factor
(Note: All various Q values are in ft3/s, Ha is in feet, and M varies in units)

Table 3[7]
Size of flume Multiplying factor, M
1 ft 1
1.5 ft 1.4
2 ft 1.8
3 ft 2.4
4 3.1
5 3.7
6 4.3
7 4.9
8 5.4
Example
Parshall Flume Free Flow Example Problem:

Using the Parshall flume free flow equation, determine the discharge of a 72-inch
flume with a depth, Ha of 3 feet.

From Table 1: Throat width = 72 in = 6 ft, C = 24, and n = 1.59.

Q = 24 Ha1.59 for a 72-inch Parshall flume

So, if there is a depth of 3 feet, the flow rate is � 140 ft3/s

Approximate the discharge using the derived discharge equation shown above
(Equation 5). This equation was derived using the principles of specific energy and
is only to serve as an estimate for the actual discharge of the Parshall flume.
Again, it should be noted that equations 5 and 6 will always underestimate the
actual flow since both the derived C and n values are lower than their respective
empirically derived chart values.

Q = (6 ft) � (3.088) � (3 ft) � 1.5 = 96 ft3/s

Parshall flume submerged flow example problem:

Using the Parshall flume flow equations and Tables 1-3, determine the flow type
(free flow or submerged flow) and discharge for a 36-inch flume with an upstream
depth, Ha of 1.5 ft and a downstream depth, Hb of 1.4 ft. For reference of
locations Ha and Hb, refer to Figure 1.

From Table 2, the Parshall Flume submergence transition (St) for a 36-inch = 3 feet
flume is 0.7. Since Hb/Ha is greater than or equal to 0.7, it is a submerged flow.

Qnet = Qfree flow � Qcorrection

Q = CHan
From Table 1: Throat width = 36 in = 3 ft, C = 12, and n = 1.57.

Qfree flow = 12 � (1.5 ft) � 1.57 = 22.68 ft3/s

Qcorrection = M � 0.000132 � Ha � 2.123�109.284 � S
Where S = Hb/Ha = 1.4 ft/1.5 ft = 0.93

From Table 3, M = 2.4 for a flume size of 3 ft

Qcorrection = 2.4 � (0.000132) � (1.5 ft) � (2.123�109.284) � (0.93) = 4.21 ft3/s

Qnet = 22.68 ft3/s � 4.21 ft3/s = 18.5 ft3/s
Construction
A wide variety of materials are used to make Parshall flumes, including:[8]

Fiberglass (wastewater applications due to its corrosion resistance)

Stainless steel (applications involving high temperatures / corrosive flow streams)
Galvanized steel (water rights / irrigation)
Concrete (large Parshall throat widths 144 in [3.66 m] and above)
Aluminum (portable applications)
Wood (temporary flow measurement)
Plastic (PVC or polycarbonate / Lexan) (teaching/laboratory investigation)
Smaller Parshall flumes tend to be fabricated from fiberglass and galvanized steel
(depending upon the application), while larger Parshall flumes tend to fabricated
from fiberglass (sizes up to 144 in) or concrete (160�600{nbsp}}in).

By the 1960s, several different companies began to commercially offer Parshall

flumes. These manufacturers have typically produce flumes from one type of material
only (typically glass-reinforce plastic or steel), although currently a few, offer
Parshall flumes in a variety of materials.