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a hydraulic structure..
FLUME: Etymology
The term flume comes from the Old French word flum or from the Latin flumen,
meaning a river.
It was formerly used for a stream, and particularly for the tail of a mill race.
FLUME: Description & Use
Millrace
o A diversionary flume is used to transfer water
from one body to another, such as between two
reservoirs.
Log flume
o Log flumes use the flow of water to carry cut
logs and timber downhill, sometimes many
miles, to either a sawmill or location for further
transport.
FLUME: Types
Recreational flume
o In competitive swimming, specialized flumes with
transparent sides are often employed by coaches
to analyze a swimmer's technique.
o The speed of the flow is variable to accommodate
the full spectrum of swimming styles and ability.
FLUME: Types
are specially shaped, engineered structures that are used to measure the flow of
water in open channels.
are static in nature - having no moving parts - and develop a relationship between
the water level in the flume and the flow rate by restricting the flow of water in
a variety of ways.
FLOW MEASUREMENT FLUME:
Relationship with Flow Rate
a change in elevation
a contraction of the sidewalls
or a combination of the two
FLOW MEASUREMENT FLUME:
Flow Rate Measurement
The ability to measure higher flow rates than a comparably sized weir
Less head loss (generally 1/4th that of a weir)
The ability to pass debris more readily
Wide range of styles and sizes
Off-the-shelf availability
Smaller installation footprint
Less rigorous maintenance requirements
Also, most styles of flumes are resistant to changes or restrictions in the
downstream hydraulics (submergence) - something not found with weirs.
FLOW MEASUREMENT FLUME:
Sections
Short-throated flumes
Long-throated flumes
FLOW MEASUREMENT FLUME:
Classes and Styles, Short-throated flumes
Short does not refer to the flume length but to the fact that flow is
controlled in a very specific region of the flume to produce the level-to-
flow relationship.
They also have a single, defined point of measurement and are empirical
devices. Intermediate or non-standard sizes of short-throated flumes
must be individually rated but their use in not recommended.
FLOW MEASUREMENT FLUME:
Classes and Styles, Short-throated flumes
FLOW MEASUREMENT FLUME:
Classes and Styles, Long-throated flumes
Flumes that control flow in a throat that is long enough to cause parallel
flow lines in the section of flow control.
Flumes that are somewhat more accurate than short-throated ones and
can be computer designed (eliminating the need for costly laboratory
rating).
Additionally, the point of measurement is not fixed, but can be taken
anywhere upstream of the drawdown zone of the throat.
FLOW MEASUREMENT FLUME:
Classes and Styles, Long-throated flumes
earthen channels,
concrete canals,
below ground chambers,
or factory integrated into Packaged Metering Manholes.
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