Flow Velocity Characterization in an Experimental Flume
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Date
2019-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Only seventeen percent of the United States’ energy generation in 2017 came from renewable sources, and hydroelectric power makes up a about forty percent of this. Hydroelectric power has large potential for growth, as new technologies develop. In particular, low-head dams and weirs across the country provide potential sources to harness more energy. Unfortunately, a lot of existing weirs have large economic and environmental impacts, and there has been little work done to improve the infrastructure and design of weirs themselves. In order to best analyze the effects of dams and weirs in a laboratory environment, experimental flumes can be used to simulate open channel flow of rivers and streams. The purpose of this research is to provide an understanding and process to characterize flow velocities in an experimental flume.
Reviews of literature were used to guide purchasing decisions on equipment viable to suit the needs of the laboratory. Methods have included obtaining a slotted weir design and characterizing flow through and around the weir with yarn. In addition to this, a pitot tube and Hach FH950 electromagnetic sensor have been used to compare flow velocities in the open channel flume. Each measurement device was tested at varying flow velocities by altering the cross-sectional area of the flow and keeping the flow rate constant.
To this point, flow characterized through the weir has behaved as expected, with increased flow velocity through the slot of the weir. The results of experiments characterizing flow in an open channel can be adapted to measure velocities through a modular slotted weir design to guide future weir construction projects to be used in conjunction with turbines to produce hydroelectric power. Therefore, it is important to develop a functioning measurement system and process in order to aid in future research, investigations, and educational projects involving experimental flumes.