Operation and

Verification of Open
Channel and Closed
Pipe Flow Meters
Flow Systems
 Open Channel Measurement
Techniques
• Timed Gravimetric
• Dye Dilution
• Hydraulic structures- Flumes/Weir
• Slope-Hydraulic Radius- Manning
• Area Velocity
• Rating Curve
Timed Gravimetric
Hydraulic Structures Method
Primary Devices Secondary Devices

• weirs
• flumes
 Factors Affecting Flow Rate
• channel shape
• liquid depth
• liquid velocity
 Primary Devices
(Hydraulic Structures)

• channel shape
• liquid velocity
Secondary Measuring Devices
(Open Channel Flow Meters)

• measure level
• convert level to flow
rate
• record total flow
 Primary Devices
(Hydraulic Structures)
• weirs
• flumes
 Weirs
• V-notch
• Rectangular with or without end
contractions
• Cipolletti
• Compound
Weirs
Compound Weir
Sharp-crested Weir
V-Notch Weir
(improperly
installed)
 Weirs

Attributes Issues:
– Easy to install in some – High head loss
applications – Requires periodic cleaning
– Wide range of types and in some applications
sizes – Not suitable for flows with
– Low cost solids
– Accuracy affected by
– Good for Low Flows
excessive approach
velocities
 Types of Flumes
• Parshall
• Palmer-Bowlus
• H Series
• Trapezoidal
 Flumes

• converging
section
• throat section
• diverging
section
Parshall Flumes
Parshall Flumes
 Beginning stage of
submerged condition
Totally submerged flume
Palmer-Bowlus Flumes
Palmer-Bowlus Flumes
Palmer-Bowlus Flumes
Palmer-Bowlus Insert Flume
Palmer-Bowlus Flume with Pipe
Adapters
H Flumes
Trapezoidal Flumes
Trapezoidal Flumes
 Advantages of Flumes Vs. Weirs
• self cleaning
• lower head loss, no standing water at zero flow
• wider range of acceptable approach velocity
• fabrication options; pipe adapters, energy
absorbing baffles, packaged metering manholes
• quality control in manufacture
 Strong Points Weak Points

Fits Channels Wall Large Size

Parshall: Wide Flow Range Greater Expense
Good Resolution
Good Self-Cleaning
Excellent for Pipe Hookups Poor Low Flow Capability
Palmer-Bowlus: Short Length Settling Debris
Wide Throat
Submerged Tolerance
Economical
Low Profile Total flow range limited
Trapezoidal: High/Low flow resolution Less familiar
Good self-cleaning
Economical
Widest Range of Flow Need free fall discharge
H-Flume: Wide Tolerance of Smaller flumes can clog
approach Velocity
 Selecting a Primary Device
• channel size and shape
• mounting considerations
• debris in the flow stream
• upstream conditions
• maintenance
• Resolution
Level 90 Degree GPM Percent 30 GPM Diff Percent
V Weir Diff Diff Degree Diff
Weir
.20 20.07

.21 22.67 2.6 11.5%

.36 23.59

.37 25.27 1.68 6.6%

.44 144.1

.45 152.4 8.3 5.5%

.75 147.8

.76 152.8 5.7 3.7%

Secondary Measuring Devices
(Open Channel Flow Meters)

• measure level
• convert level to flow
rate
• record total flow
 Measure Level
• ultrasonics

• submerged probe

• bubbler
Ultrasonics
 Ultra-Sonic Level Sensors

Attributes Issues:
– non-contact sensing – deadband
– easy to install – beam angle
– low maintenance – wind
– foam
– turbulence
– interference
– steam
– air temperature
gradients/sun
 Submerged Probe
(Pressure Transducer)
Flume installation with cavity for
submerged probe
 Submerged Probe Level Sensors

Attributes Issues:
– not affected by wind,
steam, foam, turbulence
– senses pressure through
silt and sand
– low powered, logging
versions
– Sensor must have a
reference to atmospheric
pressure – desiccant
needs to be maintained
– Temp compensated but
rapidly changing flow
stream temperature can
introduce errors
Bubbler
 Bubbler
• air pump
• air tank
• bubble rate adjust valve
• bubble tube
• differential pressure measurement
• automatic drift compensation valve
Typical bubbler installation
 Bubbler Level Sensors

Attributes Issues:
– Suitable for small – Plugging -high grease
channels concentration
– Not affected by wind, – Desiccant replacement is
steam, foam, turbulence, important
or temp – Bubble tube installation
– Automatic drift
– Look for leaks
compensation
– No electronics outside of
the meter
– Accuracy
 Hydraulic Structures Method: Factors
Affecting Measurement Accuracy
• appropriate primary device considering the
water quality and flow characteristics of the flow
stream
• primary device construction and installation
• upstream and downstream conditions
• resolution of the primary device
• flow meter level accuracy
• proper programming of the flow meter
Verification/Calibration of systems using
a flume or weir
• Construction and Installation of primary device
• Level Measurement
• Level to flow calculation
• Totalizer
• Review of Historical Data
• Documentation on Maintenance and Level
Verification
 Common Source of Errors

• faulty fabrication or construction of the

primary device
• improper gauge or head measuring location
• incorrect zero setting
• silting or submergence issues
 Common Source of Errors (cont.)
• use of primary device outside its proper range
• improper installation or maintenance of weirs
• turbulence and surges in the approach channel
Flow Systems
 Closed Pipe Flow Measurement
Techniques
• Magmeters
• Clamp on Transit Time
• Clamp on Doppler
• Venturi
 Issues Common to Closed Pipe Flow
Meters
• Inability to see the flow
• What is the true cross sectional area?
• Is there air in the line? Is the pipe Full
• Is there grease or mineral deposits?
• Difficult or impossible to verify the velocity
measurement
• Requires proper plumbing
 Plumbing Problems

Solids and gas buildups Non-full pipe condition

Closed Pipe Flow Meter Configuration
Closed Pipe Installation Considerations

Partially closed valve downstream Flow Meter

 Pipe Configuration

Avoid installing at highest horizontal location

Angle on the reduction and expansion

Installation in vertically
oriented pipes

Installation in horizontally oriented pipes

Non-Homogenous Media
 Magmeters
Faraday 1791 – 1867

1821: Faraday’s Law

Vgen = K B v D Magnetizing Coils

Liner

Electrodes
 Magmeters
Issues:
Attributes: – Grounding
– Works in most Water and – Liner Degradation/Failure
Wastewater applications.
– Defined cross sectional – Expensive to install and or
area replace
– No obstruction in flow – Grease/Scaling can foul
path/no pressure loss electrodes
– No moving parts – Requires Velocities of
– Average velocity across 1’/Sec or greater
the entire cross section – Bypass piping is helpful
for cleaning and setting
the hydraulic zero
 Transit-Time Flow Meters
Based on speed of sound through water.

Sensors send and receive signals

Velocity in forward or reverse direction

decreases or increases the time for the
sound signal to reach the opposite
sensor.

Requires user to input a specific gravity,

as the speed of sound varies with liquid
viscosity

Requires input of pipe diameter and wall

thickness

Systems are available with thru the pipe

sensors and Multi-path systems for open
channels are also available
 Clamp-On Transit Time
Attributes:
– Low cost
– forward and reverse flows
– Easy installation
– No obstruction in flow
path/no pressure loss
– No moving parts
– Works best in clean Water
Issues:
– Entrained air
– Changes in viscosity
– Changes in pipe wall
thickness
– Will not work with some
lined pipes
– Velocity measured only in
one plane, unless multiple
paths are used
 Closed Pipe Verification Methods
• Comparison with another meter; incoming water meter,
influent meter, or process meter
• Comparison with a Transit time or Doppler “clamp-on”
meter
• Drop/Fill tank method
• Dye Dilution
• Historical Review of Data
• Electronic Checks
• Verify programming vs. factory calibration sheet