Minimizing the hydraulic side effects of weirs construction by using labyrinth weirs

It is no doubt that weirs are one of the most important hydraulic structures that play a vital role in irrigation project. So, it is necessary to minimize the hydraulic side effects of weirs. Throughout this paper, experiments were conducted to investigate the suitable dimensions and shape of weir's crest to increase head loss, decrease upstream bank level upstream weir and get the most economic structure. Various crest angles of labyrinth weir were tested under different flow conditions. Also back water curve upstream weir was studied according to different weir crest angles. A case of linear weir crest was also included in the test program. The experimental results indicated that labyrinth weirs have lower operating heads and longer crest length compared with a linear weir having the same lateral space and the same discharge. Results showed that the crest weir angle of 60° is the best angle of weir crest. It reduces water level above crested level and the relative jump depth by 18% and 20%, respectively. In addition, it increase the average values of the dissipated energy and the discharge coefficient by 15% and 14%, respectively. It also gave maximum reduction in backwater curve profile by about 17%. Furthermore, the model was verified using CFD numerical model. The numerical results agreed with the experimental results.     

Frequency effects of upstream wake and blade interaction on the unsteady boundary layer flow

Effects of the reduced frequency of upstream wake on downstream unsteady boundary layer flow were simulated by using a Navier-Stokes code. The Navier-Stokes code is based on an unstructured finite volume method and uses a low Reynolds number turbulence model to close the momentum equations. The geometry used in this paper is the MIT flapping foil experimental set-up and the reduced frequency of the upstream wake is varied in the range of 0.91 to 10.86 to study its effect on the unsteady boundary layer flow. Numerical solutions show that they can be divided into two categories. One is so called the low frequency solution, and behaves quite similar to a Stokes layer. Its characteristics is found to be quite similar to those due to either a temporal or spatial wave. The low frequency solutions are observed clearly when the reduced frequency is smaller than 3.26. The other one is the high frequency solution. It is observed for the reduced frequency larger than 7.24. It shows a sudden shift of the phase angle of the unsteady velocity around the edge of the boundary layer. The shift of phase angle is about 180 degree, and leads to separation of the boundary layer flow from corresponding outer flow. The high frequency solution shows the characteristics of a temporal wave whose wave length is half of the upstream frequency. This characteristics of the high frequency solution is found to be caused by the strong interaction between unsteady vortices. This strong interaction also leads to destroy of the upstream wake strips inside the viscous sublayer as well as the buffer layer.     

Evaluation of flow characteristics in labyrinth weirs using response surface methodology

Labyrinth weirs can increase the flow discharge capacity for a specific head and width by increasing the weir length. This paper studies the flow behavior of labyrinth weirs using Flow-3D® software. The main goal is to evaluate the capability of the response surface methodology (RSM), especially central composite design (CCD), to describe the performance of labyrinth weirs. Traditional and RSM-CCD methodologies are applied using experimental data of previous researchers and numerical data of the present study, respectively. Results show that RSM-CCD can produce an acceptably accurate model for the discharge coefficient of labyrinth weirs with only a small fraction of the data required for the traditional model. In addition, the discharge coefficient of a labyrinth weir decreases by increasing head and decreasing sidewall angle due to the inflow contraction and nappe interference in inlet and outlet cycles, respectively. The discharge efficiency can be up to 4.5 times higher for a labyrinth weir compared to a linear weir. Finally, a new method is introduced for designing labyrinth weirs.     

Research on unsteady flow measurement standard device based on active piston

In this paper, an unsteady flow measurement standard device is studied and designed. The device can be used to measure the flow rate of any liquid medium. First, through comparative analysis of the design scheme of the unsteady flow measurement standard device, the structure of the active piston type is determined, and the schematic diagram is designed. According to the schematic diagram, the mathematical model of the device based on the active piston is established, and the uncertainty of the device is evaluated. Second, the hardware control system is designed and built according to the uncertainty evaluation results. Then, the upper computer operating system of the device is constructed, and a highly integrated human-computer interaction data acquisition and control system is established. Finally, the measurement performance of the device is verified by comparing the set value with the measured value of flow rate, and the uncertainty of the device is analyzed. The combined standard uncertainty can meet the expected value of 0.5%.     

Mean velocity and turbulent characteristics of flow over half-cycle cosine sharp-crested weirs

The classical sharp-crested weirs are not suitable to implement in irrigation canals with high suspended sediment flow. Over the time, sediment deposition occurs in the upstream of sharp-crested weirs and causes a time variant water level raise in the upstream and consequently variable discharge coefficients. A series of laboratory experiments was carried out to test the hypothesis of strong turbulent formation and three-dimensional flow in the upstream of half-cosine sharp-crested weirs to prevent sediment deposition. To verify this hypothesis, a series of laboratory experiment was carried out for different weir heights and top widths in free and submerged flow conditions. Mean flow structure and turbulent characteristics of half-cosine and rectangular sharp-crested weirs were measured using a micro-Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) probe. It was found that the streamwise velocities of half-cosine weirs were higher than the corresponding rectangular weirs, however, the velocity fluctuations in this direction were similar for both types of weirs. Velocity fluctuations in vertical and transverse directions were found to be significant in half-cosine weirs. The results showed higher turbulent kinetic energy below the crest level for half-cosine weirs which made them capable of sediment resuspension and sediment removal. In was found that the introduced weir model are suitable structures for passage of small floating debris and sediments. A head-discharge formulation was also developed based on the geometry of half-cosine weir in free flow and a constant discharge coefficient was obtained by solving the Fresnel integrals. For practical purposes, semi-empirical formulations were also developed to estimate flow discharge in both free and submerged flow conditions.     

Experimental study of discharge formulas for rectangular sharp-crested weirs under free flow condition

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the discharge characteristics of rectangular sharp-crested weirs under free flow condition. The performances of available discharge formulas have been evaluated by using the experimental data sets of present and previous studies. Error statistics of our experimental data indicate that the recent stage-discharge relationships show satisfactory performances. Discharge formula in terms of weir Reynolds number proposed by Vatankhah gives the highest accuracy among the existing slit weir equations, with $E_{\pm 4}=100.00\text{\%}$ (i.e. percent error less than or equal to $\pm 4$) and a mean absolute error ${\left|E\right|}_m=0.88\text{\%}$. The full-range discharge equation presented by Bijankhan and Mahdavi Mazdeh shows the highest accuracy among the relationships in terms of weir contraction ratio, with $E_{\pm 4}=100.00\text{\%}$, ${\left|E\right|}_m=0.91\text{\%}$ for slit weirs and, $E_{\pm 4}=94.64\text{\%}$, ${\left|E\right|}_m=1.60\text{\%}$ for partially contracted weirs, respectively. The weir velocity formulae suggested by Gharahjeh et al. exhibit the relatively better performance, with $E_{\pm 4}=98.41\text{\%}$, ${\left|E\right|}_m=1.34\text{\%}$ for slit weirs and, $E_{\pm 4}=91.07\text{\%}$, ${\left|E\right|}_m=1.91\text{\%}$ for contracted weirs, respectively. Statistical results of this study confirm the weir velocity approach presented by Aydin et al. and show that, the weir velocity is a predominant quantity for rectangular sharp-crested weirs, unique characteristics of the weir velocity curves make it more suitable for expressing the discharges. Moreover, it is important to point out that the performance of weir velocity formulae can be further improved.     

Discharge formula for rectangular sharp-crested weirs

Sharp-crested rectangular weirs used for discharge measurement in channels and laboratories are experimentally investigated. Height and width of weir plate are the two parameters characterizing the head-discharge relationship. Laboratory experiments are conducted by measuring the discharge and the head over the weir for variable weir heights and widths. Applicability of various formulations for the discharge coefficient are investigated. Experiments indicate that discharge is independent of weir height, when the weir is operated within an appropriate discharge range. Average velocity over the weir plotted against the weir head displays universal characteristics such that it can be used in the expression of discharge over the weir, eliminating the need for a discharge coefficient. The head-discharge relationship for a rectangular weir has distinct features for the partially contracted weirs and for the fully contracted slit weirs.     

Online conductivity calibration methods for EIT gas/oil in water flow measurement

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is a fast imaging technique displaying the electrical conductivity contrast of multiphase flow. It is increasingly utilised for industrial process measurement and control. In principle, EIT has to obtain the prior information of homogenous continuous phase in terms of conductivity as a reference benchmark. This reference significantly influences the quality of subsequent multiphase flow measurement. During dynamic industrial process, the conductivity of continuous phase varies due to the effects from the changes of ambient and fluid temperature, ionic concentration, and internal energy conversion in fluid. It is not practical to stop industrial process frequently and measure the conductivity of continuous phase for taking the EIT reference. If without monitoring conductivity of continuous phase, EIT cannot present accurate and useful measurement results. To online calibrate the electrical conductivity of continuous phase and eliminate drift error of EIT measurement, two methods are discussed in this paper. Based on the linear approximation between fluid temperature and conductivity, the first method monitors fluid temperature and indirectly calibrates conductivity. In the second method, a novel conductivity cell is designed. It consists of a gravitational separation chamber with refreshing bypass and grounded shielding plate. The conductivity of continuous phase is directly sensed by the conductivity cell and fed to EIT system for online calibration. Both static and dynamic experiments were conducted to demonstrate the function and accuracy the conductivity cell.     

Discharge characteristics and structure of flow in labyrinth weirs with a downstream pool

A new design of a labyrinth weir is introduced in this study by adding a square pool to the vertex of a one-cycle triangular labyrinth weir with a sidewall angle of 45°. The addition of the square pool increased weir length without causing an excessive nappe interaction, and as a result, reduced the head water over the weir with the same discharge. Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the hydraulic performance of the new design with a potential application in pool-weir fishways. Mean and turbulence characteristics of flow for different weir geometries and in both free and submerged flow regimes were measured to be used for prediction of fish behaviour in the upstream of the proposed weir models. Discharge coefficients based on channel width and weir length were calculated. It was found that the new design can significantly increase the capacity of triangular labyrinth weirs and provide financial advantages in construction over triangular labyrinth weirs without pools in low discharges. In submerged flow conditions, the proposed model performed better than sharp-crested linear weirs in low discharges. Contour plots of the three-dimensional velocity components showed a region of strong mean flow around the neck of the new weir model. Turbulent characteristics such as turbulent kinetic energy, power spectra, exuberance ratio, and joint probability distribution functions of velocity fluctuations were extracted from instantaneous three dimensional velocities for different weir depths and flow regimes. Two vertical planes were identified based on the highest turbulent mixing in free and submerged flow regimes. The depths contributing the most to turbulent mixing were identified; active depths decreased as the flow regime changed from free to submerge flow regime.     

Weir velocity formulation for sharp-crested rectangular weirs

Discharge in open channels can be measured by sharp-crested rectangular weirs. Generally, measured head over the weir crest is substituted into an empirical formula derived from energy considerations to calculate the discharge. Assumptions made on the derivation are taken into account by defining a discharge coefficient that fits into the experimental data. In this study, a physical quantity, the average velocity over the weir section defined as ‘weir velocity’ is directly formulated as function of weir geometry and head over the weir. Weir velocity plotted against the weir head has a universal behavior for constant weir width to channel width ratio independent of the weir size. This unique behavior is described in terms of weir parameters to calculate the discharge without involving a discharge coefficient. Combining weir velocity data for variable weir widths provides a basis for direct formulation of discharge. The weir velocity exhibits simpler functional dependency on weir parameters in contrast to the discharge coefficient.     

Experimental study on unsteady characteristics of the transient cavitation flow

The characteristics of unsteady cavitation flow under different cavitation numbers are investigated experimentally. An optical test rig is designed to visualize the cavitation flow and the cavity length is defined based on high-speed camera technology. The development of cavitation flow can be divided into inception and fusion region, expansion region and collapse region. Due to the interaction between the re-entrant jet and the cavity interface, the cavitation bubbles near the solid wall collapse earlier than them in the downstream. The cavitation number is also the important factor determining the cavity length pulsation. Further analysis shows that the smaller the cavitation number, the smaller the frequency of cavity length fluctuations and the larger the mean cavity length. The cavitation intensity is stronger at lower cavitation number. Meanwhile, the cycle collapsing frequency of cavitation is around 220–320 Hz. With the decrease of cavitation number, the amplitude of cavitation pulsation increases while the corresponding collapsing frequency decreases.     

Optimization of flow rate measurement using piezoelectric accelerometers: Application in water industry

This paper presents a method for measuring flow rates in pipelines based on the flow induced vibration principle using water as fluid, eliminating the need for interrupting the flow and opening of the pipeline for installation of traditional water flow meters. Experimental measurements are carried out in an accredited laboratory for calibration of rate flow meters and a metrological validation, followed by an uncertainty evaluation, are presented. Data analysis is accompanied by a method of optimization that minimizes adjustment errors of measurement using regression by parts and by the selection of the optimum period to estimate more accurately the flow rate. The results meet the specifications of Brazilian Metrology Institute.     

Examination of disturbed pipe flow and its effects on flow measurement using orifice plates

In a great number of measurements the influence of a disturbed flow on the flow coefficient of a standard orifice plate was investigated. Single bends and double bends out of plane with and without spacer tubes were used as typical disturbances. Experiments were also performed using a combination with a star-shaped flow straightener. The necessary correction factors of the flow coefficient were determined for upstream straight length shorter than detailed in ISO 5167. The flow velocity profiles produced by the disturbances were examined and on this basis profile numbers were calculated. The examinations presented here show that the existing standard should be revised as regards the definition of the fully developed turbulent flow profile and the selection of the required upstream straight lengths.     

Discharge equation of semi-circular side weirs: An experimental study

Side weirs are diverting structures and usually used for diverting and controlling the water flow into the side open channel. The present study deals with an experimental study regarding the hydraulic performance of side weirs with semi-circular vertical sections along the main channel. As flow depth of the main channel increases the top flow width of the semi-circular side weir (SCSW) increases which is an advantage when high discharge enters the main channel and should be immediately diverted for safety reasons. In this study, the flow discharge of semi-circular sharp-crested side weirs and their affecting parameters are investigated. To investigate the hydraulic behavior and geometric characteristics of the SCSWs, a comprehensive laboratory study including 155 tests (for three weir diameters 0.25, 0.30 and 0.40 m) was conducted in a physical model under subcritical flow conditions. Flow discharge of the SCSW was investigated in relation to height, diameter and flow head of side weir, also approach Froude number (Froude number at upstream end of the side weir) and main channel width. Three different discharge models were developed based on; purely dimensional analysis technique, classical weir equation with linear water surface and classical weir equation with horizontal water surface profile (conventional weir theory along with dimensional analysis technique). The presented mathematical discharge models enable estimation of discharge along the SCSW with acceptable accuracy (best model has an average error of 1.87% with a maximum error of 6.31%) compared with the measured data under subcritical flow conditions. Additionally, a relationship was proposed for computing the limiting flow depth at the downstream end of the SCSW. Experimental results confirm that the proposed relationship well explains the behavior of flow over the SCSW regarding the downstream flow conditions.     

Analysis of density distribution for unsteady butane flow using three-dimensional digital speckle tomography

Transient and asymmetric density distributions have been investigated by three-dimensional digital speckle tomography. Multiple CCD images captured movements of speckles in three angles of view simultaneously because the flows were asymmetric and transient. The speckle movements between no flow and downward butane flow from a circular half opening have been calculated by a cross-correlation tracking method so that those distances can be transferred to deflection angles of laser rays for density gradients. The three-dimensional density fields have been reconstructed from the deflection angles by a real-time multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique (MART).     

Measurement of fluid flow rate using nanocomposite silicone rubber sensor

This paper describes the use of an elastic nanocomposite sensor to measure the water flow rate in open and closed hydraulic circuits. A sensor was constructed of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in silicone rubber (SR) and subsequently tested to verify its ability to measure water flow rate. The results reveal that the correlation between the fluid flow rate and the pressure variation across the sensor entails that its electrical resistance can be correlated to the flow rate. The sensor constructed of 2 and 3 wt,% of MWCNTs in SR-based nanocomposite sensors exhibited a low percolation threshold. An electron microscope (HRSEM) was used to characterize the manufactured nanocomposite sensors and confirm the conductive networks. The variation in the electrical resistance of the sensor in terms of both water pressure and flow rate is described. The elastic sensor was calibrated to measure the water flow rate in the range of 0–35 l/min. The results show that an elastic sensor fabricated from MWCNTs dispersed in silicone rubber does exhibit sensitivity to the slight strain levels produced by dynamic water pressure and, as such, can be used to measure flow rate. In addition, the sensor's response to water flow in the presence of bubbles enables pump cavitation monitoring. This paper also investigates the reduction of sensor electrical conductivity in response to water immersion. The findings reveal that the elastic nanocomposite sensor could potentially be used as a liquid sensor to detect water leakage in hydraulic circuits.     

Discharging capacity of rectangular side weirs in straight open channels

A side weir is a hydraulic control structure used in irrigation and drainage systems and combined sewer systems. A comprehensive laboratory study, including 843 tests for the discharge coefficient of a sharp-crested rectangular side weir in a straight channel, was conducted in a large physical model under subcritical flow conditions. The discharge coefficient is a function of the upstream Froude number, the ratios of weir length to channel width, weir length to flow depth, and weir height to flow depth. An equation was developed considering all dimensional parameters for discharge coefficient of the sharp-crested rectangular side weir. The average error of the proposed equation is 4.54%. The present study data were compared with ten different discharge coefficient equations developed by several researchers. The study also presents water surface profile and surface velocity streamlines.     

Numerical investigation of wake flow control by a splitter plate

Unsteady separated flow around a square cylinder is simulated by using vortex tracing method to investigate the wake flow control by a splitter plate attached to the base of a bluff body. The numerical method is evaluated with selected numerical parameters for the case without the splitter plate. Then the method is applied to computations for different splitter plate lengths. Instantaneous flow patterns are scrutinized to see how the splitter plate affects the vortex formation behind the body and the downstream shedding. It is confirmed that the drag and the frequency are significantly reduced by the splitter plate, suppressing vortex shedding in the wake.