Doppler ultrasonic flow meters are based on the acoustic Doppler effect. They calculate the flow velocity by measuring the frequency shift of the echo reflected after ultrasonic waves encounter suspended particles or bubbles in the fluid.
The Doppler flow monitoring system consists of data acquisition, communication, and power supply systems. It adopts ultrasonic detection technology, which has high measurement accuracy and good stability. It can provide real-time feedback of data such as flow velocity and flow rate, thus contributing to the construction of smart water conservancy.
A Doppler flow monitoring system can be installed in a channel, consisting mainly of a data acquisition system, a data communication system, and a power supply system.
Data Acquisition:
Utilizing a fixed ADCP, it can acquire real-time data on flow rate, velocity, water level, flow direction, and temperature.
Data Communication:
An opto-isolated interface (lightning protected) enables wireless data communication; the RTU both acquires data and transmits it to the server.
Power Supply System:
Depending on site conditions, a pole-mounted system combined with solar panels and a battery charging system supplies power to the equipment.
Applications of Doppler Flow Meters
Doppler flow meters are instruments used to measure flow velocity and flow rate in rivers, open channels, and pipelines. They employ ultrasonic detection technology, offering high measurement accuracy, high stability, minimal susceptibility to environmental factors, no rotating parts, low maintenance frequency, and high operational reliability.
Features of Acoustic Doppler Flow Meters:
- Real-time feedback of average flow velocity, flow rate, water level, cross-sectional area, and temperature;
- Calculation of real-time flow rate based on collected flow velocity and water level parameters;
- Sends flow velocity, flow rate, flow direction, and water level data to a designated platform at set time intervals;
- Supports remote parameter modification.
Installation Notes
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ADCP directly measures the velocity of solid particles in the water, not the velocity of the water flow itself. If there are few or no solid particles in the water flow, the measured velocity will differ from the actual water flow velocity. If the sand content in the water flow exceeds 5 kg/m³, the ADCP will not function properly.
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2. For bottom-mounted ADCPs, the water depth must exceed 35 cm to measure velocity. For bank-mounted ADCPs, the water depth must exceed 2 meters to measure velocity.
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3. ADCPs must be installed in a dry channel. For channels that cannot be shut down, installation is difficult. Furthermore, ADCP installation requires highly skilled personnel and cannot be done haphazardly.
