Alternative Flow Monitoring Solutions

Abstract

One of RS Hydro's existing clients contacted RS Hydro to establish whether it would be possible to monitor the flow in two of Britain's largest clean water supply water pipelines.

Equipment Used

The AquaTrans AT868 Panametrics Liquid Flow Ultrasonic Transmitter.

Background

One of RS Hydros existing clients contacted RS Hydro to establish whether it would be possible to monitor the flow in two of Britain's largest clean water supply water pipelines. Due to their condition, lack of exposed pipe work, clamp on meter trials by other companies and predicted costs of installing flow meters, these installations had previously been cancelled.

The Specifications

• One 110 year old cast iron pipeline
• One 70 year old heavily corroded pipeline
• Lack of exposed pipework
• Downtime is a serious issue

Overview

RS Hydro needed to rise to the challenge. The internal civil engineering department at the water company put the cost of installing two electromagnetic flow meters at £80,000 with a disruption in a supply of 1 week. The costs of the downtime, organising / planning and re routing supplies were not taken into account but would easily double the cost. RS Hydro was invited to establish whether clamp on ultrasonic flow meters could be used. Due to the potential leakage, the flow meters needed to be installed as close to the source as possible, which meant installation immediately downstream of the Water Treatment Works. The only location available was a valve house with 700mm of exposed pipe work. Immediately downstream of this location was a fully open valve and reducing pipe work. Upstream was 10m of straight pipe and prior to this a 30 degree horizontal bend.