How to Keep Your Flumes Clear of Sediment

For water management operators, one of the top concerns is the energy level of the flow in their flumes. While most operators are familiar with the difficulties of high energy flow, fewer understand how to handle flows that drop below their optimal level. Although there can be a number of causes for low flow in a water management system, sedimentation is the primary source of low flow.

If sedimentation is a concern in your water management system, then it’s important you learn more about the reasons sediment builds up and how you can address it. Here are a few issues related to sedimentation and how you can clean sediment from flumes with the right water management tools at your disposal.

How Sediment Accumulates

Although sedimentation should be a concern for virtually every operation, there are a few areas where sediment accumulation is of higher concern than others. Most typically, operations that deal in a lot of solid waste should be very concerned about sediment restricting the flow in their flumes.

Some industries that must watch out for sedimentation can include but are not limited to, mining operations, sandblasting operations, breweries, and gravel management operations. Clearly, there is a wide range of operations where sedimentation can impact a flume and reduce the flow that you depend on.

Types of Flumes Affected

When sedimentation is a risk in your operation, it’s crucial that you have the right tools at your disposal to preserve your flow rate and lower your risk of constant maintenance. Some flume types, for instance, are much more vulnerable to sedimentation than others, so your primary task in preventing sediment build-up is to replace or avoid installing these particular flumes.

The flume types that are at the most risk for flume sedimentation and reduced flow include Palmer-Bowlus flumes and RBC flumes, which suffer sedimentation upstream of the ramp, and HS/H type flumes, where sediment accumulation occurs at the approach section. Avoiding these flume types will help your system stay clear of sediment so that your system remains successful.

What You Can Do

As mentioned in the previous section, there are certain types of flumes you should avoid in order to prevent sedimentation. However, you can increase your system’s resilience to sediment by installing the right type of flume as well. Trapezoidal flumes, because of their unique shape, keep sediment from building up and your flume moving at its proper rate.

Additionally, as with all of your important equipment, periodic maintenance checks of your flume will stop sedimentation in its tracks. With a little vigilance and the proper equipment, you can clean sediment from flumes and maintain the overall success of your operation.

Clean Sediment from Flumes with the Right Tools

For a wide variety of operations and industries that depend on a steady flow rate, sedimentation in flumes can lead to disaster, which makes preventing and cleaning sediment an all-important task. To clean sediment from flumes effectively, you need the right tools, and the best source for quality fiberglass water products is Tracom, FRP.

Tracom’s wide catalog, including Trapezoidal flumes, can help you maintain your flow rate and the overall success of your operation. Request a quote from us today and get the fiberglass products that you deserve.