3.

Salt-Velocity-Area Measurements
The salt-velocity-area method takes advantage of the fact that salt in solution
increases the electrical conductivity of water. This method has been successfully used
in open channels and pressure conduits of constant cross section.
Because of its high potential accuracy, the salt-velocity-area method is one of several
methods accepted for turbine testing in American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(1992). The equipment described in Thomas and Dexter (1955), consisting of
injection system and the sensing electrodes, are rather complex. Also, a turbulator is
sometimes used to ensure adequate mixing of the injected salt tracer solution and the
flow by the time they reach the first electrode station. Full details regarding the
equipment required for techniques found satisfactory under field conditions are
contained in Thomas and Dexter (1955).

Figure 3.2.1: Full details regarding the equipment required for techniques found
satisfactory under field conditions are contained in Thomas and Dexter (1955).

Commonly, sodium chloride (NaCl) is the selected salt used in the tracer injection
solution. Finely ground salt should be purchased for ease in mixing the solution.
Enough salt must be added to significantly increase the electrical conductivity of the
water so that concentrations can be measured accurately. The required amount of salt
can be estimated by analyzing the water for existing background quantity of salt in the
measurement flow, estimating the amount of flow to be measured, and using chemical
handbook data from conductivity-salinity tables. Trial runs may be needed to
determine the optimum amounts, which may vary with discharge depending on the
range to be measured.
For a measurement, a quantity of salt tracer solution is forced into the stream under
pressure to provide better initial distribution and assure thorough mixing before
arrival at the detection stations. The pop valve injector used by Thomas and Dexter
(1955) will provide the faster and better mixing required to produce code accuracy.
To determine velocity, a pair of electrodes is installed in the cross section at each end
of a measured length of channel well downstream from the injection system. The
distance between the pairs of electrodes should be sufficient to ensure accurate
measurement of the time of travel between them. The electrodes are electrically
energized and connected to a central instrument that records the electrical
conductivity at each pair of electrodes with respect to time.

The recording shows a conductivity rise that indicates the passing of the salt solution
cloud past each electrode station. In addition to their peaks, the cloud plots have a
leading and a trailing edge of low conductivity approaching the baseline conductivity
of the flowing water. The time of cloud travel between electrodes is measured on the
chart time scale between the centroids of the two plotted conductivity cloud areas
above the background conductivity level. Digital recordings are more convenient than
analog recordings for computer determination of area under the time-conductivity
plots to determine the center of mass of salt clouds.

Figure 3.2.2: Electrical Conductivity At Each Pair Of Electrodes With Respect

To Time.

This method requires special equipment and experienced personnel and is relatively
expensive. Care in selecting convenient reaches will help reduce time and expense in
measuring length and determining an accurate average cross-sectional area.