Turbulent flow can cause a big problem for water management operations. If the flow in your system is particularly turbulent, it can be virtually impossible to take the accurate measurements that you need. Fortunately, whether your system employs flumes or weirs, correcting the problem of turbulent flow can be easily accomplished by installing a stilling well.
Stilling wells are an invaluable tool for water management systems and can make taking accurate flow readings much easier. Here are a few facts that you need to know about stilling wells ad advice for adding this tool to your primary flow management device.
What is a Stilling Well?
Essentially, a stilling well is a chamber that is installed in a primary measuring device that is used to isolate a portion of a system’s flow. The water in the still well rises and falls with the flow in the primary devices, but it will not be subject to the turbulence that may be present in the channel.
Since the water in the isolated chamber is not subject to turbulence in the rest of the flow, you can easily take an accurate flow measurement without having to account for the turbulence. If you’re finding that your readings are consistently inaccurate, you should consider adding this tool to your system.
Problems to Consider
If you’re thinking about installing one of these wells in your system, there are two problems that you should keep in mind. The first issue to watch out for is lag, which occurs when the water level in the chamber lags behind the level in the channel. Lag can occur for several reasons, including improper placement of the well or too few intake ports.
Another problem that you need to watch out for is a clogged inlet. Typically, the inlet that allows water to enter the well from the channel. It’s very small, which means it can become clogged very easily, particularly in systems with solid waste. If solids are a concern in your system, then you should consider increasing the size of the inlet to prevent blockages.
Install Options
Before you can install a well in your flume or weir, you will need to decide whether it will be attached or detached. An attached well, as you can probably imagine, is connected directly to your primary flow management device. The benefit of an attached well is that it will be in the same location as your flume or weir.
Detached wells are connected to the primary device using a tube. This option is preferred when you’re using a flume without vertical sidewalls. If you choose a detached well, you will need to be aware that the tube will need to be periodically checked to make sure that it hasn’t become clogged or disconnected.
Add a Stilling Well to Your System
If you’re interested in reaping the benefits of having a stilling well in your system, you first need to choose a primary device, which means you should start shopping with Tracom, FRP. We provide both fiberglass flumes and weirs, and our team would be glad to help you pick the right device for your system. Request a quote from Tracom today.
