21st May 2014 SWIG – Manchester Rob Stevens, RS Hydro

LaserFlowTM

Overview

Challenges & Applications

Including Existing technologies

Existing Technologies

Pros/Cons

Ideal Solution

Results from The Field

Questions

Applications & Challenges

• MCERTS Discharges• WWTW Inlets/FFT/Process• Sewers/CSOs• Rivers/Streams/Culverts

• Challenges• High standards of installation is required • Minimise costs of installation & Whole of Life Costs• Minimise maintenance• Reduce H&S risks• Maximise uptime & reliability• High accuracy

• Flumes• Area Velocity• Radar• Electromagnetic/Ultrasonic

Existing Technologies

Tech

no

logi

es

Technology Pros Cons

Flumes (U/S or other)

AccuracyLow Maintenance

Cost/Flow Range-Sizing/Downtime

Area Velocity Flexible/PortableCost

AccuracyMaintenanceH&S

Radar Non-ContactCost

Accuracy (requiresprofiling)

Emag/Ultrasonic AccuracyCostU/S non-contact

Full PipeDowntime (Emag)

Pros/Cons

Tech

no

logi

esA familiar story…?Albeit a little extreme…

• FFT• Area Velocity Sensor Installed• Cleaned Daily

• Result after 5 days no cleaning• Required crane to remove• 1 tonne of ragging!

What would it be?• Non-contact?• Low maintenance• Minimal/Zero H&S risk• High Accuracy• Retro-Fit• Wide range of applications incl difficult…WWTW inlets• Others….???

Ideal Solution

LaserFlow Overview> Theory > Installation > Maintenance > Versions

Lase

rFlo

w

LaserFlow Sensor

Return DopplerSignal Light

Flowing Water Stream

V

Below Surface

The Theory

Lase

rFlo

w

Below the surface

5000 Spectral Velocity Readings

The Theory 2

Lase

rFlo

wUltrasonic Level Sensor

• Range 0-3M (0 – 10 feet)

• 45˚ Deflector Plate

• 10˚ Beam Angle

0-3M 0-10 ft

Lase

rFlo

w

• Virtual Zero Dead band

• Ultrasonic dead band is exceeded by the time the signal reaches the bottom of the LaserFlow.

12 “ dead band

Ultrasonic Level Sensor

Lase

rFlo

w

Ultrasonic Level Measurement

Laser Velocity Measurement

Single Point Velocity Method

Single Point Velocity Method

Lase

rFlo

wUltrasonic Level Measurement

Laser Velocity Measurement

Multi Point Velocity Method

Multi Point Velocity Method

Lase

rFlo

wUltrasonic Level Measurement

Laser Velocity Measurement

Multi Point – Multi Depth Velocity Method

Multi Point-Multi Depth Velocity Method

Lase

rFlo

wWhen do you use single point velocity

measurement?• Uniform and consistent flow• Battery Life is a concern• Rapid Data Rate – 1 minute

Lase

rFlo

wWhen do you use Multipoint velocity

measurement?• Non-Uniform Flow

• AC Power

• Longer Reading intervals

Lase

rFlo

wSubmerged Condition

• Measurement during Submerged condition– TIENetTM CW area velocity sensor

• Proven technology• Not a point velocity measurement• More accurate during surcharged conditions

• Measurement can start on different conditions– Variable Rate Data Storage

• Laser Level• Laser Velocity• Laser Temperature• CW Level• CW Velocity

• Laser cone design prevents water from reaching the laser window

Lase

rFlo

wNormal Operation

• Laser velocity

• Ultrasonic Level (USLS)

Lase

rFlo

wSubmerged Condition Begins

Lase

rFlo

wLaserFlow Fully Submerged

CWD sensor reading velocity

Pressure Sensor reading depth

Lase

rFlo

wRedundant Measurement

AreaVelocity(laser)

Level(USLS)

Level(pressure transducer)

AreaVelocity(sound wave)

TIENet Area Velocity sensor with a longer Cable 1,10, 23M

Lase

rFlo

w• Laser can be installed facing in the upstream or

downstream pipe.• Center the bracket over the flow stream.

Installation Requirements

Lase

rFlo

wPermanent Wall Mount

Street Level Installation Tool

Street level installation alignment tabs

Lase

rFlo

wLevel installation

Lase

rFlo

wInto/Away from the flow

Lase

rFlo

wOther Features

• Optical Clarity System to ensure reliable measurement in severe conditions.

• Remote Ultrasonic Option for applications that have > 3” offset in level and velocity measurement points.

• Low Velocity and Low Level Measurement Feature:

• Flow measurement down to a depth of 0.5” (12.5 mm).• Velocity measurement down to 0.5 ft/sec (0.15 m/s).

• Low Temperature operation down to -20 °C.• Adaptive Focus and Automatic Peak Detection Feature to

improve flow measurement in difficult hydraulic conditions. • Steep slope application suitability, smart polarity selections and

customization of bi-directional flow measurement.• Industry leading flow accuracy: +/- 4%.• Improved power management efficiency.

Results from the Field

Res

ult

sWWTW Inlets

• Installations 2-6 hours• No shutdown• Difficult Applications

Res

ult

sMCERTS Flume

Res

ult

sData