Flow Measurement in Recirculation Systems

he measurement of flow rates in recirculating aquaculture facilities is critical to the proper control of water quality and fish health. Most water treatment system designs are based on previously determined tank exchange rates (the time taken to replace the water in a tank) and overall exchange rates (the time taken to replace water in the entire facility. Treatment equipment such as biofilters and aeration devices are also designed for certain ranges of flows. These flow requirements must be met to ensure proper operation of the entire system, hence the ability to determine flow rates into, within, and leaving the system is crucial.

BY SEAN WILTON AND SHAWN CLEARY

netic and ultrasonic meters can be included in the design. This article will describe the basics of all these methods.

Measuring Flow in an Open Channel

Weirs One of the most cost efficient techniques for measuring flow in open channels is to insert a weir perpendicular to the flow in the channel. The sharp crested rectangular weir and V-notch weir are the most common types (see Figure 1). Weirs will also maintain a fixed water level in a tank, sump, or channel, etc. (Figure 2).

The sharp crested weir is a thin vertical plate placed perpendicular to the flow. The most accurate measurement is produced when the water is free falling beyond the weir. The depth from the bottom of the channel to the top of the weir is called the crest. The height (H) of the water surface above the crest is measured at a point about four times H upstream from the weir. Flow rate can be calculated with the following equation: Q = K*L*H1.5 Where Q = discharge (L/s) L = length of weir (m) H = distance from the water surface to crest (m) K = 1838 The contracted rectangular weir is a weir with a rectangular notch. Its equation is: Q = K*(L-0.2*H)H1.5 Where L = length of the rectangular notch

Knowledge of flow rates is also important for waste management and control of effluents that will be released to the environment. Solids separation equipment such as gravity separators and rotating drum filters are designed for specific flow rates, and constructed wetlands are also designed for anticipated hydraulic loading rates. These rates must be maintained to achieve optimal removal of waste solids and nutrients. Fortunately, there are several methods for measuring flows in an aquaculture facility. To measure flow in open channels, or wherever a desired water level needs to be maintained (e.g.. sump, tank outlet, biofilter outlet, etc.) the system design should incorporate weirs. To measure flow in open ended horizontal or vertical pipes that are partially or completely full, equations have been developed from hydraulics theory, that will allow flows to be estimated accurately. To measure flow in closed pipes pressure differential meters, mechanical meters, and more advanced techniques such as electromagJuly/August 2001

Figure 1: Different types of weirs (a) rectangular suppressed (b) regular contracted (c) V-notch; and (d) Cipolletti

The V-notch weir is the most accurate for flow measurement. The corresponding equation for a 60o notch weir is: Q= 784 * he 2.5 Where Q = discharge (L/s) he = effective head (m) = H+0.013 H = vertical distance between bottom of notch and water surface at some point upstream (m)

Figure 2: Stream profile showing a thin-plate weir

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Nuts and Bolts: Flow Measurement in Recirculation Systems from page 31

Velocity Meter These meters are hand held devices that use a propeller or impeller revolving at a velocity that is correlated to the velocity of the water. The flow can be determined by multiplying the indicated velocity by the cross sectional area of the channel. This method is generally more accurate than timing a floating object but is at best an approximation of the true flow rate.

measure flow from in an open ended pipe. Basically, you record the time to deliver a known volume. Volume divided by time is the flow rate. Vertical Pipe Trajectory Method The height of the plume above the lip of a vertical pipe is measured and related to a flow rate through the following equations: Q = 0.0302 D 1.99 H 0.53 Q = 0.0345 D 1.25 H 1.35 Where Q = discharge (L/s) D = inside pipe diameter (cm) H = height of water plume (cm)

Measuring Flow in Open Ended Pipes:

These methods of flow measurement can be used to measure the flow to culture tanks or any place in the aquaculture facility where water is leaving an open ended pipe. Volumetric Flow Measurement The old stop watch and bucket method is one of the easiest yet most accurate ways to

Figure 3 Discharge curve for measuring flow from vertical pipes

For heights between 0.37D and 1.4D, the flow is less than that given by the above equations. Figure 3 can be used to determine the flow rate for pipes that are 50-300 mm in diameter and plume heights of 38-1500 mm.

California Pipe Method for a Partially Full Horizontal Pipe The diameter of the pipe and the distance from the inside of the top of pipe to the water surface can be used to calculate the flow with the following equation:

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Q = 0.0513 (1-a/d) 1.88 d 2.48 Where Q = discharge (L/s) a = distance from inside of top of pipe to water surface (cm) d = diameter of pipe (cm)

conductivity too low to provide accurate flow measurement. Ultrasonic Flow Meters An ultrasonic flow meter is useful for measuring the flow in a closed pipe. Two transducers are applied to the side of the pipe a specified distance apart. The first transducer emits an ultrasonic pulse that passes through the pipe and moving liquid, and returns to the receiving transducer. Flow rate can be determined in two ways: In the transit time method, the speed of the ultrasonic pulse is slightly altered by the flow of the liquid. This change can be correlated to a liquid velocity and flow rate. Using the Doppler method, a series of ultrasonic signals are compared and the time of travel for a given object (particle, air bubble, or turbulence eddy) in the moving liquid is correlated to velocity and flow rate. Ultrasonic flow meters can be used on any exposed section of pipe and can be calibrated to the specific size and material of the pipe. Portable models allow for rapid measurements on any pipeline onto which the tranducers can be mounted. This method of flow measurement is accurate and non-obstructive, but can be expensive.

Note: this equation only works if a/d > 0.5 Purdue Method for a Full Flowing Horizontal Pipe At a specified horizontal distance (e.g.. x = 0, 6, 12, 18 inches) from the end of a pipe of known diameter, the vertical distance from the top of the pipe to the water surface is measured. If the water level (y) in the discharge pipe is less than 0.8D, the vertical distance is measured at x=0; otherwise y is measured at x=6, 12, or 18 inches Flow rate is determined from Figure 4.

Figure 4: Discharge curves for measuring flow from full flowing horizontal pipes.

Measuring Flow in a Closed Pipe

These methods can be used to measure the flow of supply water to culture tanks and water treatment systems. They are especially useful for determining whether pumps are performing to capacity. Differential Pressure Flow Meters Differential pressure flow meters the pressure difference created by a constriction in the pipe (venturi, orifice plate, internal nozzle, pipe elbow) which is proportional to the square of the volumetric flow rate. The difference in pressure is measured with a manometer, bourbon gauge, or pressure transducer, and then related to a flow rate through an equation specific to the type of constriction used. The differential pressure flow meter is a fixed device that can be added to a pipe at any desired location where pipe is exposed. It is a relatively accurate and inexpensive flow measurement device. However, the pressure taps are subject to clogging with fungus/algae. Pitot Tube A pitot tube is an insertion meter meaning that it is inserted into a pipe. A pitot tube consists of two concentric tubes that face the upstream direction of flow. The inner tube measures the total pressure (kinetic + static) and the outer tube measures the static pressure. The difference between the total and
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static pressure is the kinetic pressure, which can be related to a fluid velocity by using the following equation: Q = 1000*A*C*K*H0.5 Where Q = discharge (L/s) C = flow coefficient (1.0 for well-designed tubes) H = head difference (cm) K = unit constant (K=0.443 for SI units) A = area (m2) Pitot tube meters can be inserted into a pipe at any desired location where the pipe is exposed. They are relatively accurate and inexpensive but subject to clogging with fungus or algae. Rotating Mechanical Flow Meters These meters correlate the velocity of a rotating propeller, impeller, rotor, etc. to the flow rate of the water, and can be quite accurate. If flow rate is required at only a few key points in a system they provide a good balance between convenience and cost. Electromagnetic Flow Meters Flowing conductive liquids can generate a voltage proportional to their velocity. Two electrodes are placed across a pipe and the voltage signal varies linearly with the flow rate. Electromagnetic flow meters can be used on any exposed section of pipe. They are portable, accurate, and do not obstruct the flow. However, they are expensive and the water in many hatcheries have water with

Summary
The proper management of flow rates throughout a recirculation facility is important for optimal performance of water treatment processes and control of fish health. Incorporating flow measurement devices such as weirs and pressure differential meters into a facility will allow the operator to maintain the desired exchange rates, and thereby control dissolved oxygen, ammonia levels, etc. The ability to measure the flow rates to solids removal and waste water treatment systems designed for a specified range of flow rates will allow the operator to have more control over waste management systems overall system performance. Figs 1 - 4, and the corresponding equations from: Fundamentals of Aquacultural Engineering. by Thomas B. Lawson, Chapman & Hall, 1995, are reproduced with permission. Sean Wilton, P.Eng, and Shawn Cleary are with PRAqua, Nanaimo BC. Nuts and Bolts is a regular feature of Recirc Today. For more information contact them at +1 250 714 0141, or e.mail: sean@praqua.com.
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