Ultrasonic flow measurement method: Working principles and use in water distribution and sewer systems

Abstract

Flow metering in Water Supply and Sewer Systems (WSSS) is the essential need Technical reason are the water balance control and the operational management. In the scope of inevitable privatizations (in Serbian environment) the economical side of WSSS functioning gains importance payment of withdrawed, distributed or outleted water. To fulfill the need for flow metering the ultrasonic metering devices are also offered. The goal of this article is to in short explain the basics of ultrasonic measuring principles, to present its different real world realizations, side by side with its advantages and shortcomings. If appropriately selected for particular situation, ultrasonic flow metering devices can be quality measurement solution. Prerequisite for this are good understanding of the measuring site hydraulics, demanded accuracy, available budget for the purchase, the operational limiting factors, etc.

Merenje protoka u sistemima vodovoda i kanalizacije suštinska je potreba Tehnički razlog je kontrola bilansa i pravilno upravljanje ovim sistemima. U svetlu neminovnih privatizacija ovih sistema (u domaćim uslovima) na značaju dobija i ekonomski aspekt - naplata zahvaćene, isporučene ili upuštene vode. Sistemima vodovoda i kanalizacije nude se i merila na ultrazvučnom principu. Cilj ovog rada je da ukratko objasni ultrazvučni princip merenja protoka predstavi njegove različite praktične realizacije sa primenama, dobrim i lošim stranama. Uz pravilan izbor tipa uređaja za zahtevanu primenu, ultrazvučna merila protoka mogu predstavljati kvalitetno merno rešenje. Preduslov za to je poznavanje hidraulike mernih mesta, zahtevane tačnosti merenja, raspoloživih sredstava za nabavku uređaja, operativnih ograničenja u sistemu, itd.