RBC flumes are used to measure the quantity of water that, for instance, flows through an irrigation channel. By comparison to known flumes, such as the WSC- and the Parshall flume, the RBC flume is the most accurate. The RBC flume has been specially designed for use in smaller water ways or earthen channels (irrigation channels, in- outlets, furrow, ditches, etc.). The RBC flume is a simple and reliable instrument for the measurement of the quantity of irrigation water that flows towards a field. The standard program contains flumes with various measuring ranges, varying from 0.1-8.7 l/sec to 2.0-145 l/sec. On special order larger measuring ranges are possible as well. In order to obtain correct measurements it is essential that the flume is placed in such a way that the water can flow from the flume without obstruction. After the flume has been placed in a horizontal position the measuring can begin by reading the measure of water surge near the threshold. The measure of water surge can be read in the stilling well at the end of the flume. Using standard formulas the flow through quantity (the discharge) is calculated. Instead of reading the stilling well it is possible to install a pressure transducer connected to a datalogger.
Instead of reading the stilling well it is possible to install a pressure transducer connected to a datalogger. This allows for automatic measuring (or activation), storage and reading. In case of an automated flume, the sill-referenced water level is recorded using a very accurate pressure sensor connected to a datalogger.
Advantages of automatic registration over a manual determination of the flow rate are:
The software enables you to configure and to read out the data directly. The data can be used in spread-sheet programs. The user friendly, PC-software has the following functions: