Prototype Experience With Acoustic Flowmeters

by J. W. Taylor, British Columbia Hydro & Power, Authority, Vancouver, BC, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Power '87

Abstract:

The acoustic (ultrasonic) flowmeter offers many advantages over other methods for measuring discharge in penstocks for turbine performance tests. It is nonintrusive, inexpensive and may be left in place indefinitely without affecting plant operation. Since its sampling rate is high it has a small random error. Its electronic output lends itself to automatic data collection which, together with data from other test instruments, could be used to calculate turbine performance in one step. Due to the requirement to install the flowmeter at many locations, a set up procedure has been developed which detects whether flow in the penstock is unusually distorted and ensures that the flowmeter is operating as it should. This paper describes the results of some of this work.

Subject Headings: Turbines | Acoustics | Water discharge measurement | Nondestructive tests | Conduits | Ultrasonic methods | Flow measurement

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