What Flumes Can You Install in a Sewer Manhole?

January 10, 2019

Measuring sewer flow can be a very difficult task, especially if you don’t have the right flow management tool installed. Fortunately, with a little bit of research, you should easily be able to find a flume that will work perfectly in your sewer manhole and allow you to0 easily and effectively monitor sanitary flow. Here are a few flumes for sewer manholes that you should consider if you need a device to help you manage and measure sanitary flow.

Parshall Flumes

When discussing flumes that can be installed in a sanitary system, it’s best to start with the Parshall flume, due to its popularity. In most flow management operations, the Parshall flume is the device of choice for several reasons, including operator familiarity and consistent accuracy. This flume also offers several characteristics that make it a great option for sewer manholes. First, with a wide enough throat, the Parshall flume is resistant to clogging. Also, solids pass through this flume very easily, which is beneficial when measuring sanitary flows. Second, making corrections isn’t difficult when the flume isn’t installed levelly or when submergence has occurred. Finally, most operators should have no trouble accurately determining the flow rate.

Palmer-Bowlus

When it comes to flumes for sewer manholes, there is no better choice than the Palmer-Bowlus flume, which is the only flow management device designed specifically with sanitation applications in mind. Like the Parshall flume, the Palmer-Bowlus offers several characteristics that make it a good option for sanitary flow management. Because this flume is available in a variety of sizes, it can be retrofitted into existing manholes or installed in a new system. Also, smaller versions are available, meaning it can be installed in tight spaces. Multiple points of measurement make it easy to work around clogs and other obstructions, and depending on the flow rate, the Palmer-Bowlus is self-cleaning. If you’re considering using the Palmer-Bowlus in your sanitary system, there are a few drawbacks to consider. First, these flumes are not standardized, which means the design will be different with every manufacturer. You’ll have to be very careful that you choose a design and size that actually fits into your system. Palmer-Bowlus flumes also need a lengthy upstream run to work correctly, which means that they usually can’t be installed in operations where space is limited. Lastly, clogging can be a concern in low-flow applications. In these systems, a different style of flume may be necessary.

Choose Your Sanitary Flume

Now that you’re aware of the different types of flumes for sewer manholes, you should be able to make the best choice for your operation. If you want some advice about which flume is right for you, or if you know what flume you want to purchase, you can work with the professionals at Tracom, FRP. At Tracom, we pride ourselves on producing the most dependable fiberglass flow management products available, including several flume styles that will allow you to easily measure sanitary flows. Request a quote from us today and let one of our representatives tell you more about our selection of flumes and other flow management devices.

Andrew Helbling

Product Production Manager

Andrew Helbling is the Product Specialist at Tracom, where he works with engineers, contractors, and product owners alike to assess and select the best open channel flow and general-purpose fiberglass products for their application. Andrew is passionate about clean water and helping operators and engineers provide the cleanest water possible.