One of the largest difficulties in running a water management operation is dealing with the possibility of submergence. When downstream conditions pair with the reduction of flow, submergence occurs, reducing the accuracy of your important readings and causing disruptions to your everyday operations.
Because there are several factors that contribute to the occurrence of submergence, it can be important to learn more about this possibility so that you can prevent it from interfering with your operation. Learn more about flume submergence and find out what steps you can take from causing this sort of disruption occurring in your water management system.
Correcting for Submergence
When planning for submergence, many water management operators seek to find ways to correct for submergence within their flumes. Although this effort is admirable, it can be ultimately fruitless, as correcting for submergence is much more difficult than many people might imagine.
For example, if your flume can be corrected for submergence, it can often be at a greatly increased cost, as well as the additional required time to take measurements from two separate level points. Also, not every flume type is available for correction. Trapezoidal and Palmer-Bowlus flumes, for instance, have transitions that are too high for submergence correction.
So, while it is possible to correct for flume submergence, it can cost more time and money than it’s worth.
Flow Rate/Flume Type Make No Difference
Another factor that many operators consider when planning for submergence is their flow rate and what kind of flume they will use. However, even though flume type and flow rate are important aspects of a successful water management operation, they often have no bearing on whether or not submergence will occur.
Some flume types are more resistant to submergence than others, but every flume type is vulnerable to submergence depending on the conditions. In addition, the flow rate in your system does not affect submergence at all, as submergence is the result of downstream conditions and not the flow.
The best way to avoid submergence is to make sure that your downstream conditions are as stable as possible.
Avoid Submergence if Possible
If you’re an experienced water management operator, then you know that not every flume type is suitable for free flow, which causes some operators to install them to operate under submergence conditions. While this can be tempting, especially when using a Cutthroat flume, it is better to avoid submergence if it is at all possible.
Even with the optimal flume, submergence can make taking accurate readings almost impossible, causing big headaches for your system’s operators. Avoiding submergence will allow you to take normal readings and will preserve the overall success of your water management system.
Prevent Flume Submergence with the Right Tools
Running your water management system, including preventing submergence, is much easier when you have the right tools at your disposal. Combat flume submergence by getting high quality fiberglass water management tools from Tracom, FRP.
Tracom provides every tool that you need for total success, including flumes, measurement tools and a virtual endless catalogue of fiberglass products. Request a quote from Tracom today so that your operation is as successful as you deserve.
