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Dimensions
Designed to be inserted into existing conduits and pipes, the Palmer Bowlus Flume has a uniform U-shaped cross-section. Flow is accelerated through the flume by means of a ramp that both rises from the floor of the flume and contracts on the sides (usually).
Unlike other flumes whose shape is rigidly defined, the Palmer Bowlus is a general class of flumes with potentially marked differences in the throat ramp design.
Openchannelflow Palmer Bowlus Flumes utilize the trapezoidal design (second from the top) to provide lower flow sensitivity while still proving a somewhat wide useful flow range.
As long throated-flumes, Palmer Bowlus Flumes can be calculated by computer analysis (versus short-throated flumes like the Parshall which are empirical devices and must be laboratory calibrated).
The point of measurement in a Palmer Bowlus Flume is located a distance D/2 upstream of the beginning of the throat ramp (where D is equal to the flume size).
Unlike other classes of flumes, there are four distinct styles of Palmer Bowlus Flumes:
PALMER BOWLUS FLUME VARIATIONS
- Permanent Style with Integral Approach
- Permanent Style without Approach
- Insert Style
- Cutback (Insert) Style
Permanent Style with Approach
- Most common
- Point of measurement: inside the flume
- Length: 4D+1-inch
- Approach: full length, integral to the flume
- End connections:
- Bulkheads
- Pipe stubs
- Flanges
- Caulking collars
- Factory integration:
- Flow / level accessories (staff gauges, bubbler tubes, etc.)
- Flow conditioning accessories (flow straighteners, energy absorbers, etc.)
Permanent Style Without Approach
- Used in long, straight pipes or well-defined channels
- Used where space is at a premium
- Point of measurement: upstream of the flume
- Length: 2D+2-inches (throat only)
- Approach: none, must be formed upstream of the flume
- End connections (outlet only):
- Bulkheads
- Pipe stubs
- Flanges
- Caulking collars
- No factory integration of flow or conditioning accessories
- Insert Style
- Flume is set into existing U-channel or half-pipe
- Used where space is a premium
- Point of measurement: upstream of the flume
- Length: 2D+2-inches (throat only)
- Approach: none, must be formed upstream of the flume
- End connections: none
- No factory integration of flow or conditioning accessories
- Cutback (Insert) Style
- Least common
- Downstream half of sidewall above the throat is notched to slide into downstream pipe
- Flow accuracy in the upper flow range may be diminished
- Used where space is a premium
- Point of measurement: upstream of the flume
- Length: 2D+2-inches (throat only)
- Approach: none, must be formed upstream of the flume
- End connections: none
- No factory integration of flow or conditioning accessories
When determining the length of the styles above, D = flume width / size.
For all Palmer Bowlus Flumes, regardless of style, the point of measurement is located a distance D/2 upstream of the beginning of the throat ramp, where D is equal to the flume size.
Like Cutthroat and RBC Flumes, the design of the Palmer Bowlus is dimensionless, with each flume size based upon a standard design. The dimensions for any particular size Palmer Bowlus rely on only one dimension, D - the width of the flume. With D known, all of the other dimensions can be readily determined.
While an industry-standard exists, the standard is for the general class of Palmer Bowlus Flumes, not a specific design. Individual design is proprietary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The result is that a Palmer Bowlus Flume may be similar but not identical to that of another manufacturer. The typical difference between Palmer Bowlus Flumes of different manufacturers is the treatment of the vertical contraction of the flume sidewalls in the throat.
PALMER BOWLUS FLUME MASTER DIMENSIONS: 4D+1" PERMANENT STYLE WITH APPROACH
PALMER BOWLUS FLUME MASTER DIMENSIONS: 2D+2" PERMANENT STYLE WITHOUT APPROACH
PALMER BOWLUS FLUME MASTER DIMENSIONS: INSERT STYLE
PALMER BOWLUS FLUME MASTER DIMENSIONS: CUTBACK (INSERT) STYLE
Image: Teledyne Flow Measurement Handbook
LOCATIONS IN ATLANTA, GA & BOISE, ID