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AF SERIES ADJUST-A-FLUME
Easily Installed Flume for Flow Measurement
This product is no longer available.
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FEATURES:
- Direct-reading flow rate gauges on the flume side walls, eliminating the need to carry a book of flow tables to the field
- Wide flow rate range
- Adjustability to various canal depths.
- Installs into flowing water without significantly disturbing flow, which greatly reduces the visible ponding upstream of the measuring device
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Product Description
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In today's resource conscious world, accurate measurement of water
consumption is more important than ever. The Adjust-A-Flume fulfills this vital need. Manufactured of high quality
galvanized steel for years of trouble-free service, the adjustable flume is the solution you have been looking for.
Adjust-A-Flume adjustable water flumes are available in several standard sizes that meet most applications. Adjust-A-Flumes
are sent unassembled for easy and economical shipping and handling. The flumes are easy to assemble in the field,
and all bolts, nuts, and assembly instructions are included.
Unlike other open channel flow flumes currently on the market, the Adjust-A-Flume has a large, highly visible gauge
mounted on both sides. It can be read easily from a distance of over 25 feet, facilitating roadside measurements,
making it a simple device to measure water flow.
Durability
The Adjust-A-Flume is designed with extremely rigid "flanged" construction. The unit also utilizes heavy cross
bracing. The design allows the installation of the Adjust-A-Flume in locations with heavy soil backfill or in concrete
channels.
Installation
Installation of the Adjust-A-Flume is quick and straight forward. Just assure that the flume is level both end to end
and side to side, and that the top of the fixed frame is 2 to 5 inches above the high water mark in the canal. Adjust
the height of the sill, and the flume is ready for service. Unlike some other flume designs, the Adjust-A-Flume does
not require sight surveying, or complicated excavation for proper and accurate installation.
Accuracy
Extensive testing and evaluation under field and laboratory conditions have shown the Adjust-A-Flume consistently achieves
accuracy to within 3%, when properly installed. The increased flow velocity in the throat section discourages
sediment accumulation in this important part of the flume. The approach section near the gauge, while somewhat
less self-cleaning, is tolerant of considerable sediment accumulation before significantly altering the flume function. This
produces long periods of time between required cleaning and maintenance.
Measuring Flows in Earthen Canals
By John A. Replogle
Reprinted from the Irrigation Journal
John Replogle is a research hydraulic engineer with the US Water Conservation Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service,
USDA.
Irrigation is seen by some as an environmental disaster to the earth. But placed in perspective with what might have been,
we should remember that irrigated agriculture grows one-third of the total crop harvested. This irrigated harvest is
produced on one-sixth of the world's crop land and is worth one-half of the crop value. Without irrigated agriculture,
expansion of cropped land into humid areas would have been needed, and it is doubtful that the rainforests of the world
would still exist. Even with this perspective, we have a long way to go to really make irrigation as efficient as it needs
to be to continue to outpace the world's population bulge (expected to peak between 10 and 12 billion people) and still
protect the environments of the world in a meaningful sense.
The measurement of applied irrigation water is one of the major links in the efforts to improve irrigation management to
achieve this needed efficiency.
Earthen Canal Measurements:
Canal flow measurements have been well served by the development of the long-throated flume. In canal flows, the water
surface drop through a weir of flume is used to make a flow condition where the upstream depth indicates flow rate (eg gallons per
minute.) In practice, for canal measurements, these flumes must be accurately positioned vertically to cause this needed
water surface drop. If they are too high, the upstream canal may overflow. If they are too low, they will simply be a
submerged object in the flow and will not function as a measuring device. This vertical placement is one of he most
important field decisions and must be competently supervised to avoid costly refitting or improper function.
Moreover, a common perception by many irrigation water users is that weirs and flumes significantly and harmfully restrict flow
because of the observed ponding upstream of the flume or weir. These perceptions cause opposition to flow measurements
and thwart proper irrigation water management. In actuality, proper size selection and installation reduce the possibility that
flow is actually being obstructed.
To address these perceptions and ease the vertical placement problem of flume installation in earthen canals, a flow-measuring flume
called the "Adjust-A-Flume" is vertically adjusted after installation in the field. This vertical adjustment reduces ponding
to the minimum for almost all flow rates. A mathematical model that was previously developed allows easy design of many sizes
to match a variety of field situations. The reduction of ponding makes it more acceptable to users. These devices can
measure flow rates in field ditches, lined and unlined canals, and sewer flows. Sizes available range from 200 gallons per minute,
suitable for an intermediate-sized supply canal. Canal operators, researchers, and farm irrigators dealing in water management and
water measurement in canal systems, both large and small, should find the Adjust-A-Flume a welcome addition to their group of
flow measurement alternatives.
Advantages of flumes:
- The adjustable flumes cause minimal upstream ponding, are theoretically-based, computer rated, and laboratory checked. They
are highly accurate, cost effective, and are flexible in matching site requirements (Being adaptable to earthen or concrete lined canals.)
- They offer quick and easy installation in unlined canals. Sealing against water leakage is easily accomplished with compacted
earth.
- Vertical placement problems are reduced or eliminated.
- Their operation is generally intuitive and easy for field technicians to learn. The computer ratings and design procedures for these
flumes are transparent to the user.
- Because they cause small upstream ponding, usually less than one inch, they can be used in flatland farming areas.
- Direct reading sidewall gages eliminates the need to carry rating tables, or to calculate flow rates. Gages can usually be read from
a vehicle on the canal bank.
- They can be adapted to changes in canal flow caused by weed growth or sedimentation in the canal by simply raising the sill slightly.
- Sediment can be flushed by simply raising the ramp to allow flow under the sill.
- They can be quickly readjusted when shifted because of freeze-thaw actions.
Options & Prices
Choosing the correct flume size for your application is important. We
suggest using the smallest size flume that will accommodate your channel's flow. The Adjust-A-Flume is available in several
standard sizes, as shown below.
Please contact Global Water regarding product availability.
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Flow Rate (cfs)
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Shipping Weight
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Part Number
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Price
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| 0.45 cfs |
23 lbs |
AF0.45 |
$263 |
| 4 cfs |
102 lbs |
AF4 |
$615 |
| 6 cfs |
123 lbs |
AF6 |
$705 |
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