If you need to measure flow inside of a pipe, there are several different devices that you can choose, but almost none is better than a trapezoidal flume. Thanks to their unique design, trapezoidal flumes are particularly adept at measuring and managing piped flow, and they can be found in any number of settings. Here are a few things that you should know about piped flows and trapezoidal flumes if you’re looking for a flow management device for your operation.
Where Can You Use Trapezoidal Flumes?
A signature flat-bottom design is one of the primary reasons that trapezoidal flumes are highly effective at measuring flow in pipes, especially in industrial settings. Industrial flows commonly contain solid debris which could easily clog other types of flumes, but the flat-bottom of the trapezoidal flume allows this debris to pass through easily. Because of this, you will frequently see these flumes used in dam seepage monitoring, sewage plants and to monitor industrial effluents.
In addition to being able to measure industrial flows with relative ease, trapezoidal flumes can also measure flow above or below grade, which makes them a good fit for most flow measurement applications. Any operation looking for a flexible, reliable device to measure piped flow should strongly consider a trapezoidal flume.
Connecting a Flume to a Pipe
One of the most important things to understand about piped flows and trapezoidal flumes is that you will generally need an end adapter to connect your flume to your pipe. End adapters come in a wide range of sizes, which means you should be able to find an adapter that will allow you to integrate a trapezoidal flume into your system.
When you’re choosing end adapters for your flume, you should keep in mind the width of the adapters relative to each other. If one adapter is considerably wider than the other, it may have an impact on the flow rate, which could interfere with your readings.
Trapezoidal Flumes and Manholes
Several different methods exist for attaching a trapezoidal flume to a manhole, which is another reason they are a good choice for measuring piped flows. For example, if you need to attach your flume to an existing manhole you can do so with ease thanks to the staged, curved end adapter.
It is also possible to integrate a trapezoidal flume into a packaged metering manhole. The benefit of using a flume in a packaged metering manhole is that you will be able to easily access your primary device when needed, and when your flume is not in use, it will be protected by the manhole.
Purchase Your Flume
Now that you know a little bit about piped flows and trapezoidal flumes, you can purchase one of these versatile flow management devices from Tracom, FRP. We are proud to offer our consumers a wide array of flow products, including flumes in several styles.
If you’re not sure what type of flume you need, our experienced team would love to give you advice, and if you already know what device you want, you can request a product quote. Contact Tracom today to get started on your purchase.
