Chapter 7 Flow Measurement

CHAPTER 7
Flow Measurements
1
Flow Measurement
To determine the actual flow through close conduit /

open channel hydraulic structures such as weir or
flume.
2
3
Flow over V-notch & Rectangular Weirs
4
5
Why we need to measure wastewater flow?
• It is a fundamental step in the design of wastewater collection, treatment,
and disposal facilities.
• In situation where wastewater flow rate data are limited or unavailable,

wastewater flow rate estimates have to be developed from water
consumption records and other information.
• Estimated residential flow rates need to account for not only averages, but
peak flows. (Peak flows of short duration may or may not have a
deleterious effect, however peak flows that continue for days can include
hydraulic failure).
• To develop a basis for properly assessing wastewater flow rates for a

community, the following subjects should be considered:
1. Definition of the various components that make up the wastewater

flow rates.
2. Water supply data and its relationship to wastewater flow rates.
3. Wastewater sources and flow rate analysis.
4. Methods of reducing wastewater flow rates.
6
Components of wastewater flows
• Wastewater flows in sanitary sewers consists of FOUR major components:

1. Domestic wastewater
2. Industrial wastewater
3. Infiltration/inflow
4. Storm water
• The percentage of wastewater components varies with local conditions and the
time of the year.
• Domestic (also called sanitary) wastewater - Wastewater discharged from

residences and from commercial, institutional, and similar facilities.
• Industrial wastewater - Wastewater in which industrial wastes predominate.
• Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) - Water that enters the sewer system through indirect and
direct means.
1. Infiltration is extraneous (not directly connected) water that enters the
sewer system through leaking joints, cracks and breaks, or porous walls.
2. Inflow is storm water that enters the sewer system from storm drains
connection, roof leaders, or through the manhole covers.
• Storm water - Runoff resulting from rainfall and snowmelt.

7
What is flow measuring device?
• It is a necessary device used for monitoring of plant operation and process

control continuously.
• Flow devices are mandatory for all sewage treatment plant, regardless of
size.
Purpose of flow measuring device
• To maintain flow records periodically for future reference, especially when

plant expansion is needed.
• To identify the flow pattern which may be due to population growth or
infiltration.
• Statutory requirement by the DOE to maintain flow records at all sewage
works.
• To establish operational cost for treatment of sewage.
8
Design parameters for flow devices
9
Flow measuring devices
Parshall flume
• The dimensions of the flume (Figure 7.1) are

fixed so that there is a flow transition from
subcritical to supercritical flow.
• The transition is caused by designing the flume to

narrow to the throat dimension (W) while
dropping the channel bottom.
• At critical flow depth, energy is maximized and

there is a direct relationship between water depth
and velocity.
• When the flume is operating under free flow

conditions, a hydraulic jump is visible at the
throat.
Figure 7.1: Parshall flume with identification

of measurement locations
10
Parshall flume
11
Parshall flume (Con’t)
A list of dimensions for a limited range of flow

measuring capacities is shown below:
Table 7.1: Parshall flume dimensions
12
An equation and graphs that may be used for free flow conditions:
Q = CHan
Where
Q = flow rate, m3/s
Ha = depth of water at point ‘a’
C and n = coefficients to be obtained from Figure A and Figure B.
This equation is only valid for Ha < 2 m and 0.152 m < W < 15.24 m.
Figure A Figure B
Parshall flume coefficient, n Parshall flume coefficient, c
13
▪ The Parshall flume is limited to measurement of gravity flow rate.
▪ However, the flume is favored:

1. It will pass a wide variety of solids such as rags, sand and large
objects that potentially will foul other flow measuring devices.
2. Flow rate can be determined manually by measuring the water depth.
3. Capable of measuring a wide range of flow rates.
▪ This provides an independent method for calibrating the flume, and it

provides redundancy when the electronics fail.
▪ When the flow range from minimum at plant start-up to maximum at

design capacity exceeds the range of standard flume, a removable
prefabricated insert may be used to accommodate the low flows at start-
up.
▪ The major disadvantage of flume is the comparatively large footprint for

the structure and the additional space required to achieve uniform flow
into and out of the flume.
14
Example: Design of Parshall Flume
Design a Parshall flume by specifying the throat width and estimating the
maximum depth of the flume. Assume free flow conditions and 0.6 m freeboard
above the maximum depth and the peak flow rate, Q is 104,000 m3/d.
i. Select a suitable throat width for the flume if the range of flows are from
433 m3/h to 4330 m3/h.
ii. Calculate the depth of flow, Ha at 4330 m3/h. Use Figure A and Figure B to
find the coefficients for equation, Q = CHan
Answer:
i. Using Table 7.1, select a throat width of 0.91 m with a maximum range of
flows from 100 m3/h to 5100 m3/h.
15
Example: Design of Parshall Flume (Con’t)
Answer:
ii. For throat width of 0.91, refer to Figure A and Figure B, you get n = 1.57 and c = 2.5.
Figure A Figure B
1.57
2.5
Parshall flume coefficient, n Parshall flume coefficient, c
Convert the Q in m3/d to m3/s

m3 1d
104,000  = 1.2 m3 / s
d 86,400 s
1/n
Q
From Q = CHa
n
rearrange to Ha =   to get in terms of Ha
1/1.57 
C
 1.2 m / s 
1/n
Q
3
Then, Ha =   =  = 0.628 m = 0.63 m
C  2.5 
Add the freeboard of 0.6 m to the depth of flow, Ha
0.63 m + 0.6 m = 1.2 m (Depth of the flume) 16
Magnetic flow meter
• Appropriate for measuring influent, effluent,

and process flows, and are frequently
specified for sludge flow measurement.
• Must be installed in a straight run of pipe at

least four pipe diameters away from the
nearest bend or pipe appurtenance.
• Should also be installed away from pump

vibration and according to manufacturers’
instructions.
• The pipe should always flow full.
• It is beneficial to have a means of checking

the calibration of such meters by
displacement tests.
17
Location of measuring devices
1. To measure the flow accurately, both Parshall flume and magnetic

flow meter require uniform flow upstream and downstream of the
measuring point.
2. For Parshall flume, a straight uniform channel should be maintained

for a reasonable distance and approach channel equal to at least
10 times the throat width is desirable.
3. Downstream changes in direction must be sufficiently distant so that

the resulting backwater curve does not reach the flume.
18
End of Chapter 7
19

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CHAPTER 7

To determine the actual flow through close conduit /

• In situation where wastewater flow rate data are limited or unavailable,

• To develop a basis for properly assessing wastewater flow rates for a

1. Definition of the various components that make up the wastewater

• Wastewater flows in sanitary sewers consists of FOUR major components:

• Domestic (also called sanitary) wastewater - Wastewater discharged from

• Industrial wastewater - Wastewater in which industrial wastes predominate.

• Storm water - Runoff resulting from rainfall and snowmelt.

• It is a necessary device used for monitoring of plant operation and process

Purpose of flow measuring device

• To maintain flow records periodically for future reference, especially when

• The dimensions of the flume (Figure 7.1) are

• The transition is caused by designing the flume to

• At critical flow depth, energy is maximized and

• When the flume is operating under free flow

Figure 7.1: Parshall flume with identification

A list of dimensions for a limited range of flow

Table 7.1: Parshall flume dimensions

Parshall flume coefficient, n Parshall flume coefficient, c

▪ The Parshall flume is limited to measurement of gravity flow rate.

▪ However, the flume is favored:

▪ This provides an independent method for calibrating the flume, and it

▪ When the flow range from minimum at plant start-up to maximum at

▪ The major disadvantage of flume is the comparatively large footprint for

Parshall flume coefficient, n Parshall flume coefficient, c

Convert the Q in m3/d to m3/s

• Appropriate for measuring influent, effluent,

• Must be installed in a straight run of pipe at

• Should also be installed away from pump

• The pipe should always flow full.

• It is beneficial to have a means of checking

1. To measure the flow accurately, both Parshall flume and magnetic

2. For Parshall flume, a straight uniform channel should be maintained

3. Downstream changes in direction must be sufficiently distant so that

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