Guan'gai paishui xuebao (Jul 2023)
An Automatic System for Measuring Water Flow in Airfoil-shaped-pier Sluice
Abstract
【Background and Objective】 Automation of water measurement is a crucial to developing water-saving agriculture and enhancing irrigation water utilization efficiency. Although water measurement technologies for large canals have reached a mature stage, there is a significant technology gap in the context of small channels. The objective of this paper is to address this gap by developing an automatic flow measurement system specifically designed for small rectangular channels. 【Method】 The proposed automatic flow measurement system for small rectangular channels utilizes an innovative design featuring an airfoil-shaped sluice gate. The system comprises an airfoil-shaped measuring flume and a flat gate, with the core functionality implemented using the STC89C51RC microcontroller. The system incorporates essential components such as flow measurement facilities, data processing and communication facilities, as well as power facilities. To assess its performance, extensive hydraulic performance tests were conducted, analyzing the system's behavior under various flow rates and gate openings. 【Result】 The threshold for determining the outflow of the airfoil gate pier was between 0.77 and 0.82. The flow formulae for gate outflow and weir flow were established based on the submerge of the gate at different gate openings. Based on water level and gate opening measured using the ultrasonic sensing technology, an automatic control and communication system was developed using the STC89C51RC microcontroller. The real-time outlet flow was collected by a built-in flow calculation module, and the system was powered by a photovoltaic facility. 【Conclusion】 The proposed automatic flow measurement system using airfoil gate pier is accurate. It has potential for automating flow measurement in small rectangular channels in irrigation districts.
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