Flumes for Accurate Flow Measurement 8/1/20, 3)02 PM

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!(/) > Flumes

FLUMES
Flumes are specially shaped,
engineered structures that are used to
measure the flow of water in open channels.
Flumes 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.

Flumes can accelerate slow, sub-critical (Fr<1)

(http://www.fsl.orst.edu/geowater/FX3/help/8_Hydraulic_Reference/Froude_Number_and_Flow_Sta
to a supercritical state (Fr>1)
(/support/c

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Flumes for Accurate Flow Measurement 8/1/20, 3)02 PM

(/support/contact-
(http://www.fsl.orst.edu/geowater/FX3/help/8_Hydraulic_Reference/Froude_Number_and_Flow_Sta

Contact Us
us)
A change in elevation
A contraction of the sidewalls
Or a combination of the two

Accelerating slow flow to a supercritical state creates upstream conditions where, under
free flow conditions, the flow rate can be determined by measuring the water level at a
single, defined point in the flume (Ha).

The relationship between the water level at the point of measurement (Ha) and the flow
rate can be obtained by test data (short-throated flumes
(http://www.openchannelflow.com/blog/article/short-throated-vs-long-throated-ramp-
flumes)) or derived formula (long-throated flumes
(http://www.openchannelflow.com/blog/article/short-throated-vs-long-throated-ramp-
flumes)).

Flume Accuracy
When properly installed, flumes can be accurate to within +/-2-5% (for the flume itself) -
with overall system accuracy for a typical installation being +/-10% (when all factors are
considered). This accuracy is similar to that of weirs
(https://www.openchannelflow.com/weirs) - although weirs are slightly more accurate
under ideal conditions.

Flume Advantages
While similar in accuracy, flumes have distinct advantages over weirs, including:

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
O!-the-shelf availability

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Flumes for Accurate Flow Measurement 8/1/20, 3)02 PM

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.

Sections of a Flume
Most flume styles consist of three parts
(http://www.openchannelflow.com/blog/article/sections-of-a-flume-their-location-and-
function): a converging section (inlet), a throat, and a discharge section (outlet).

Flow is restricted in the converging section (dark blue) and is accelerated as it

passes into the throat.
Flow in the converging section must enter at a sub-critical state [typically with a
Froude number
(http://www.fsl.orst.edu/geowater/FX3/help/8_Hydraulic_Reference/Froude_Number_and_Flo
(Fr) no more than 0.5] and it is here that the point of measurement (Ha) is located.

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Flumes for Accurate Flow Measurement 8/1/20, 3)02 PM

The throat (gray) of the flume accelerates the flow to a critical / super-critical state.
The discharge section (light blue) slows the now energetic super-critical flow and
allows it to transition into the downstream channel.
While not all flumes have discharge sections (H
(https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/hs-h-hl-flumes) / Montana
(https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/montana-flumes) Flumes), the lack
of this section means that the resistance to submergence is limited and that
the downstream channel may be susceptible to scour and erosion as the flow
spills o! the end of the flume.

Classes and Styles of Flumes

In the approximately 100 years since Dr. Parshall began his investigation on his Improved
Venturi flume (http://www.openchannelflow.com/products/flumes/parshall/), two distinct
classes (and numerous styles) of flumes have been developed.

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.

Openchannelflow manufactures the following styles of short-throated flumes:

Parshall (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/parshall-flumes)
(https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/parshall-flumes)
Montana (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/montana-flumes) (modified
Parshall)
USGS Portable (http://www.openchannelflow.com/blog/article/usgs-portable-
parshall-flume) (modified Parshall)
HS / H / HL (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/hs-h-hl-flumes)
Trapezoidal (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/trapezoidal-flumes)
Cutthroat (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/cutthroat-flumes)

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Flumes for Accurate Flow Measurement 8/1/20, 3)02 PM

Short-throated flumes have a single, defined point of measurement and are empirical
devices. Intermediate or non-standard sizes of short-throated flumes must be individually
rated. Their use in not recommended.

Long-throated flumes
"Long-throated" flumes control flow in a throat that is long enough to cause parallel flow
lines in the section of flow control.

Openchannelflow manufactures the following styles of long-throated flumes:

Palmer-Bowlus (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/palmer-bowlus-
flumes) (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/palmer-bowlus-flumes)
RBC (https://www.openchannelflow.com/flumes/rbc-flumes)

Long-throated flumes 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.

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(/flumes/parshall-flumes)

Parshall Flumes (/flumes/parshall-flumes)

(/flumes/palmer-bowlus-flumes)
Palmer-Bowlus (/flumes/palmer-bowlus-flumes)
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Flumes for Accurate Flow Measurement 8/1/20, 3)02 PM

Palmer-Bowlus (/flumes/palmer-bowlus-flumes)

(/flumes/hs-h-hl-flumes)

HS / H / HL Flumes (/flumes/hs-h-hl-flumes)

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(/flumes/trapezoidal-flumes)

Trapezoidal Flumes (/flumes/trapezoidal-flumes)

(/flumes/cutthroat-flumes)

Cutthroat Flumes (/flumes/cutthroat-flumes)

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Flumes for Accurate Flow Measurement 8/1/20, 3)02 PM

(/flumes/montana-flumes)

Montana Flumes (/flumes/montana-flumes)

(/flumes/rbc-flumes)
RBC Flumes (/flumes/rbc-flumes)
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RBC Flumes (/flumes/rbc-flumes)

!(/) > Flumes

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