AF Series Adjust-A-Flume
| Easily
Installed Flume for Flow Measurement
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FEATURES:
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| Product
Description In today's resource conscious world, accurate measurement of water consumption is more important than ever. The Adjust-A-Flume fulfills this vital need. Manufactured of high quality galvanized steel for years of trouble-free service, the adjustable flume is the solution you have been looking for. Adjust-A-Flume adjustable water flumes are available in seven standard sizes that meet most applications. Adjust-A-Flumes are sent unassembled for easy and economical shipping and handling. The flumes are easy to assemble in the field, and all bolts, nuts, and assembly instructions are included. |
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Unlike other open channel flow flumes currently on the market, the Adjust-A-Flume has a large, highly visible gauge mounted on both sides. It can be read easily from a distance of over 25 feet, facilitating roadside measurements, making it a simple device to measure water flow.
Durability
The Adjust-A-Flume is designed with extremely rigid
"flanged" construction. The unit also utilizes
heavy cross bracing. The design allows the installation of
the Adjust-A-Flume in locations with heavy soil backfill or in
concrete channels.
Installation
Installation of the Adjust-A-Flume is quick and straight
forward. Just assure that the flume is level both end to
end and side to side, and that the top of the fixed frame is 2 to
5 inches above the high water mark in the canal. Adjust the
height of the sill, and the flume is ready for service.
Unlike some other flume designs, the Adjust-A-Flume does not
require sight surveying, or complicated excavation for proper and
accurate installation.
Accuracy
Extensive testing and evaluation under field and laboratory
conditions have shown the Adjust-A-Flume consistently achieves
accuracy to within 3%, when properly installed. The
increased flow velocity in the throat section discourages
sediment accumulation in this important part of the flume.
The approach section near the gauge, while somewhat less
self-cleaning, is tolerant of considerable sediment accumulation
before significantly altering the flume function. This
produces long periods of time between required cleaning and
maintenance.
Measuring Flows in Earthen
Canals
By John A. Replogle
Reprinted from the Irrigation Journal
John Replogle is a research hydraulic engineer with the US Water Conservation Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA.
Irrigation is seen by some as an environmental disaster to the earth. But placed in perspective with what might have been, we should remember that irrigated agriculture grows one-third of the total crop harvested. This irrigated harvest is produced on one-sixth of the world's crop land and is worth one-half of the crop value. Without irrigated agriculture, expansion of cropped land into humid areas would have been needed, and it is doubtful that the rainforests of the world would still exist. Even with this perspective, we have a long way to go to really make irrigation as efficient as it needs to be to continue to outpace the world's population bulge (expected to peak between 10 and 12 billion people) and still protect the environments of the world in a meaningful sense.
The measurement of applied irrigation water is one of the major links in the efforts to improve irrigation management to achieve this needed efficiency.
Earthen
Canal Measurements:
Canal flow measurements have been well served by the development
of the long-throated flume. In canal flows, the water
surface drop through a weir of flume is used to make a flow
condition where the upstream depth indicates flow rate (eg
gallons per minute.) In practice, for canal measurements,
these flumes must be accurately positioned vertically to cause
this needed water surface drop. If they are too high, the
upstream canal may overflow. If they are too low, they will
simply be a submerged object in the flow and will not function as
a measuring device. This vertical placement is one of he
most important field decisions and must be competently supervised
to avoid costly refitting or improper function.
Moreover, a common perception by many irrigation water users is that weirs and flumes significantly and harmfully restrict flow because of the observed ponding upstream of the flume or weir. These perceptions cause opposition to flow measurements and thwart proper irrigation water management. In actuality, proper size selection and installation reduce the possibility that flow is actually being obstructed.
To address these perceptions and ease the vertical placement problem of flume installation in earthen canals, a flow-measuring flume called the "Adjust-A-Flume" is vertically adjusted after installation in the field. This vertical adjustment reduces ponding to the minimum for almost all flow rates. A mathematical model that was previously developed allows easy design of many sizes to match a variety of field situations. The reduction of ponding makes it more acceptable to users. These devices can measure flow rates in field ditches, lined and unlined canals, and sewer flows. Sizes available range from 200 gallons per minute, suitable for an intermediate-sized supply canal. Canal operators, researchers, and farm irrigators dealing in water management and water measurement in canal systems, both large and small, should find the Adjust-A-Flume a welcome addition to their group of flow measurement alternatives.
Advantages of flumes:
