Parshall Flume Solutions
Parshall flumes are the most widely used type of flume in the industry. Developed in 1922 by Ralph L Parshall, the Parshall flume was designed for the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Then it was used for permanent flow monitoring installations. Today, it does the same, however includes many options and accessories and is used for many reasons.
Parshall Flume Options & Accessories
TRACOM has worked with various wastewater management companies across the world for over 30 years. We understand that each system is different and needs various items to run most efficiently. This is why we provide a long list of options and accessories for fiberglass Parshall flumes. Contact a specialist today to see which options work best for your company’s needs!
- Ultrasonic mounting brackets
- Bubble tubes
- Sample tubes
- Submerged probe cavities
- Stilling wells (attached and detached)
- Staff gauges
- Removable probe holders
- Inlet and outlet end adapters
- Pipe stubs
Flanged end connections - Flow straighteners
- Fiberglass grating
- Inlet and outlet wingwalls
- Multi-piece construction
- Nesting
- Chemically resistant gel coal
Benefits of Parshall Flumes
- Wide Flow Ranges
- Resistance to Submersion
- Simple Flow Meter Calibration
- Self-Cleaning Design
Parshall Flume Applications
- Sewage Treatment Plant Influent and Effluent
- Industrial Process Discharge
- Irrigation and Agricultural Runoff
- Dam Seepage
- Watershed Monitoring
Technical Details
| Size & Style | Recommended Flow Rates |
|---|---|
| 1” | 2 – 85 GPM |
| 2” | 3 – 210 GPM |
| 3” | 4 – 834 GPM |
| 6” | 22 – 1,754 GPM |
| 9” | 40 – 3,979 GPM |
| 12” | 146 – 7,336 GPM |
| 18” | 227 – 11,021 GPM |
| 24” | 296 – 14,853 GPM |
| 30” | 366 – 18,721 GPM |
| 36” | 434 – 22,618 GPM |
| 48” | 567 – 30,484 GPM |
| 60” | 995 – 38,426 GPM |
| 72” | 1,181 – 46,431 GPM |
| 84” | 1,828 – 54,489 GPM |
| 96” | 2,076 – 62,591 GPM |
| 120” | 2,575 – 162,414 GPM |
| 144” | 3,057 – 275,541 GPM |
| Note: 1” and 2” Parshall flumes are not recommended for sanitary flows | |
- 1 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 2 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 3 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 6 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 9 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 12 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 18 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 24 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 30 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 36 inch Parshall Flume Discharge Table
- 1 inch Parshall Flume with 4 inch Stubs
- 1 inch Parshall Flume
- 2 inch Parshall Flume with 4 inch Stubs
- 2 inch Parshall Flume with 6 inch Stubs
- 2 inch Parshall Flume with 8 inch Stubs
- 2 inch Parshall Flume
- 3 inch Parshall Flume with 6 inch Stubs
- 3 inch Parshall Flume with 8 inch Stubs
- 3 inch Parshall Flume with 10 inch Stubs
- 3 inch Parshall Flume
- 6 inch Parshall Flume with 8 inch Stubs
- 6 inch Parshall Flume with 12 inch Stubs
- 6 inch Parshall Flume with 15 inch Stubs
- 6 inch Parshall Flume with 18 inch Stubs
- 6 inch Parshall Flume with Nested 2 inch Parshall Flume
- 6 inch Parshall Flume with nested 3 inch Parshall Flume
- 6 inch Parshall Flume
- 9 inch Parshall Flume Nested in 48 Inch Parshall
- 9 inch Parshall with 12 Inch Stubs
- 9 inch Parshall with 18 inch Stubs
- 9 inch Parshall with 24 Inch Stubs
- 9 inch Parshall Flume with nested 3 Inch Parshall Flume
- 9 inch Parshall Flume
- 12 inch Parshall Flume with 18 Inch Stubs
- 12 inch Parshall Flume with 30 Inch Stubs
- 12 inch Parshall Flume with Nested 3 Inch Parshall
- 12 inch Parshall Flume with Nested 6 Inch Parshall
- 12 inch Parshall Flume with Nested 9 Inch Parshall
- 12 inch Parshall Flume
- 18 inch Parshall Flume with 36 Inch Stubs
- 18 inch Parshall Flume with Nested 9 Inch Parshall
- 18 inch Parshall Flume
- 24 inch Parshall Flume with 36 Inch Stubs
- 24 inch Parshall Flume
- 30 inch Parshall Flume
- 36 inch Parshall Flume
- 48 inch Parshall Flume
- 60 inch Parshall Flume
- 72 inch Parshall Flume
- 84 inch Parshall Flume
- 96 inch Parshall Flume
- 144 inch Parshall Flume
- Parshall Flume Master Dimensions
- Parshall Flume with End Adapters Master Dimensions
Open Channel Flow Parshall Flume: How It Works
Parshall flumes work by channeling the flowing liquid into a narrow throat, constricting the flow and producing a head that is directly related to the discharge. The level floor of the converging section coupled with a downstream sloping throat give the Parshall excellent resistance to submergence. The converging section accelerated the flow helping to wash away deposits of sedimentation and debris.
Parshall flumes are a staple of the water measurement world and are found in applications such as: industrial processing, waste water, and water rights management. Its accuracy and ability to withstand submergence give it the reputation as one of the most versatile flumes in any industry.
Parshall flumes were originally designed as ditch flumes and as such fit in channels with no modifications necessary, though wingwalls can be used to span channels larger than the flume opening. Tracom also manufactures a fiberglass end adapter that converts piped flow into the channelized flow required for Parshall flumes to operate.
How the Parshall Flume Design Can Improve Your Monitoring
The fiberglass Parshall flume is one of the most popular types of flow meters used today. Its accuracy and ease of use, and corrosion resistance make it ideal for a variety of applications. But did you know that the Parshall flume design can also improve your monitoring?
Tracom offers a variety of Parshall flume models that can be installed in different ways. Some Parshall flumes are designed to be buried in pre-packaged metering manholes, others are designed to be placed in surface channels. There are also Parshall flumes that can be installed in line with your existing pipe system.
Parshall flumes are available in a variety of sizes, from 1 inch to 144 inches. The size of the flume will depend on the flow rate of your application. As one of the leading Parshall flume manufacturers, Tracom knows what it takes to provide the best flow measurement devices for any type of application, even providing a Parshall flume discharge table for every size fiberglass flume we offer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Montana flume is essentially a shortened Parshall flume. It removes the throat and discharge section of the Parshall, allowing the same measurement options as a Parshall, at more than half the length. The downside is that a free-flow drop is recommended, as pipe stubs cannot be installed onto a Montana.
Tracom sells Parshall flumes. We make 1″, 2″, 3″, 6″, 9″, 12″, 18″, 24″, 30″, 36″, 48″, 60″, 72″, 84″, 96″, 120″, and 144″ sizes. The Parhsall flume size refers to the width of the flume at the throat section.
