Necessity, it is said, is the mother of invention, and this is particularly true when it comes to the development of many flume types. A great number of flumes were conceived to improve on an existing design, including the widely used cutthroat flume. Upon their creation, cutthroat flumes became one of the premier flow measurement choices for water management operations across the country, and their immense popularity and usefulness continue to this day. Read on to learn more about the development and uses of cutthroat flumes and learn how you can start employing this flume type for your flow measurement needs.
Improving on the Parshall-Flume
Before the invention of cutthroat flumes, gauging submerged or free flows were tough. This is especially true if the installation gradient was flat. Commonly, a massively modified Parshall flume was used for this application, but all that changed in the 1960s when a private consortium bolstered by government funding developed the cutthroat flume. By using in-depth research on gradients and flow calculations, they eventually came up with the flat bottom design, varying cross section and zero throat length which characterizes cutthroat flumes. In fact, it is the lack of a throat length from which this flume type gets its distinct name.
Choose from Two Different Construction Shapes
The two different cross section shapes are what makes the cutthroat flume so useful to a wide range of water operations. Cutthroat flumes can either be constructed with a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section, both of which offer their own benefits. Rectangular cutthroat flumes offer a wide range of lengths and widths, making it suitable for an expansive array of applications. While the trapezoidal cutthroat flume is limited in its sizes, it is much more sensitive for low flows, making it an excellent choice for operations where flow is not constant or heavy. In addition to its design variety, the cutthroat flume can also be used in a number of applications and constructed out of multiple materials.
Multiple Applications and Construction Materials
Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to cutthroat flumes, offering numerous applications and construction materials. As far as applications go, cutthroat flumes can be used for dam seepage monitoring, well pumping tests and mine drainage, to name just a few. Cutthroat flumes are also available for construction from materials covering aluminum, galvanized steel and PVC, although the premier choice for both durability and longevity is fiberglass. By providing such a wide range of choice, cutthroat flumes have become one of the go-to tools for water management operations across the country.
Choose Cutthroat Flumes for Your Flow Measurement Needs
Selecting the right equipment for your water management operation comes down to a few overarching factors, but the primary deciding issue is utility. One of the most useful water measuring tools available is the cutthroat flume. Cutthroat flumes offer a high level of versatility and customization options, making them the perfect choice for any water system. Purchase cutthroat flumes for your water management operation by visiting Tracom. Tracom is a company that provides water operations with top quality fiberglass products, making the job of water management that much easier. Speak with a Tracom representative to get a fantastic quote on cutthroat flumes for your operation.
