The most invaluable tool for the long-term success of a water management operation is a flow measuring flume. Whatever type of flume you choose, your operators will be able to take accurate readings of the flow in your system with minimal effort.
Ideally, you’ll be able to install flumes in your system without having to make adjustments. However, in certain operations, the sidewalls of your flume may be too short, which is why you might need a flume with extended sidewalls. Read more about the uses of extended sidewall flumes and discover some of the biggest benefits of this versatile flow measurement tool.
Uses of an Extended Sidewall Flume
If you’ve never had the need for an extended sidewall flume in your system before, you may not be familiar with the myriad of uses for this flow measurement tool. Fortunately, extended sidewall flumes are suitable for a variety of flow measurement tasks, making them one of the most valuable pieces of equipment you could install in your water management system.
For instance, it’s possible that the walls in your open channel are higher than the walls of a standard flume, and you could use an extended sidewall flume to cover this distance. Extended sidewall flumes can also be used to handle additional flow capacity without installing a larger flume. Finally, if there’s a risk of peak discharge overflow in your system, an extended sidewall flume can be used to address this issue.
Flumes Available with Extended Sidewalls
Now that you know a little more about the different uses of a flume with extended sidewalls, it’s a good idea to learn about the different types of flumes that can be manufactured with this feature. While not every flume is available with extended sidewalls, you can choose this accessory for some of the most popular flumes on the market.
Typically, extended sidewalls will be found on flumes with straight, vertical sidewalls, including the Montana flume, the Cutthroat flume and the ever-popular Parshall flume. Although it’s not as common, Palmer-Bowlus flumes can also be constructed with extended sidewalls. Regrettably, flumes with non-standard shapes, such as H-flumes and Trapezoidal flumes, cannot be made with extended sidewalls.
Drawbacks of Extended Sidewalls
Before using flumes with extended sidewalls in your water management operation, it’s important to learn about some of the drawbacks of this tool. While extended sidewall flumes are extremely useful, there are some negatives that you need to consider.
The biggest con of using extended sidewall flumes is that it may affect the accuracy of your readings. Extending the sidewall of the flume alters its maximum head range, which results in less accurate flow measurements than with normal sized flumes. However, as long as you adjust for this issue, using extended sidewall flumes is a good choice.
Purchase Extended Sidewall Flumes
If the channel walls in your water management system are unusually tall, a good solution for correcting this issue is installing a flume with extended sidewalls. Get the extended sidewall flumes that your open channel operation needs by working with the professionals at Tracom, FRP.
By shopping with Tracom, you’ll be able to find a wide range of quality fiberglass flow management tools, making your operation run more efficiently. Contact us today to learn more about our products.
