One of the best available flumes is the Parshall design. It’s been around for nearly a century, and extensive research has been done on its design allowing for easy adjustability to a variety of different flow channel conditions without sacrificing the accuracy of flow rate measurements. There is a potential problem, however, when they’re used to measure flow rate in a non-full pipe. Fortunately, end adapters can solve this issue. Learn all about the benefits of end adapters.
Versatility
When one considers the end of a flume, they typically think of the part where the flow exits the flume. While there are, of course, end adapters that fit on the outlet end, you’ll also find plenty of end adapters for the inlet end as well. With that kind of versatility, you can use these handy add-ons for a variety of different uses, whether you’re trying to connect the flume to piping, facilitate a controlled transition flow or simply condition the flow to ensure accurate measurements.
Inlet and outlet end adapters are used for different reasons. Inlet adapters primarily exist for flow conditioning. In order for a flume to accurately measure flow rate, the approaching flow has to be at a subcritical velocity. An inlet adapter can help ensure that this is the case so the flow reaches criticality at the point of measurement. Outlet adapters, on the other hand, work to provide a smooth transmission of flow out of the flume. After all, flow backing up into the flume from the exit area will throw off measurements significantly.
Compatibility
Given how small end adapters typically are, it’s usually easy to find one that will fit your flume regardless of size and shape. Making changes to an existing flume can be tough, but any kind of end adapter is relatively easy to implement, even after installation. Of course, it’s always better to have any necessary end adapters in place before installation.
If you’re looking to make end-adapter compatibility as easy as possible, opt for a fiberglass design. The nature of fiberglass allows the entire flume to be crafted in a single connected piece rather than a collection of pieces that would then have to be assembled. That single piece can even include end adapters built-in as part of the design, making the production more convenient and more affordable.
Ingenuity
For such small add-ons, end adapters can make a significant difference when it comes to how your flume operates. For example, if your flow has to go upward into the flume, that generally creates a bit of turbulence that could throw off any measurement efforts. An inlet end adapter can mitigate that and create a more uniform approach.
You may also want to opt for an adapter with a width greater than that of the flume. This is especially helpful for flows with high velocity on approach. This added width will force the flow to spread out before being directed into the flume. By spreading out first, much of the excess velocity can be dissipated, and the flow itself will remain uniform.
End Adapters From Tracom
If you’re looking to enjoy the benefits of end adapters, Tracom has got you covered. You can work with our team to implement end adapters into your Parshall flume design that will optimize your flow rate measurement efforts. Contact us today to get started!
