In an irrigation process, it is really necessary to know how much water you need. It is also necessary to know how much water does crops used. Knowing these factors will improve irrigation efficiency and moreover prevent excess water loss. In addition, it will also reduce the cost of water pumps and help in preserving natural resources. But, this could only happen by measuring water flow. The accurate water flow rate measurement can help you know how much water is used for irrigation. It would also prevent excessive use of water to prevent leakage that could lead to damage to the pumps.
Methods to measure the flow of water
Velocity flow rate measurement
This is a renowned method to measure the water flow rate by considering its flowing speed. You can utilize the commercial flow meters, which can provide you with accurate measuring results in less time. The use of flow meters is accurate if they are installed correctly. They can provide flow rate measurement as per the speed of water flowing inside the piping system. You can take the example of turbine rotators which directly measure the speed of the water. These meters are accurate and can provide you with affordable means to serve your purpose. The flow rate can be derived through the velocity of water using this meter.
Vortices measurement
It is an advanced measurement that can take place with the help of a vortex flow measuring device. It is the best device that can measure the flow rate of water with utmost accuracy. The use of vortex flow meters is best suitable where moving parts are causing problems. Such propellers, pistons, and shunts in turbine meters can cause problems in the flow of water. But, this meter can provide you with precise results for measuring water flow. The device will cause flowing water to generate vortices when an obstruction is caused by the bluff body. The frequency of vortices is proportional to the volumetric flow of water.
Ultrasonic flow measurement
The irrigation industry is rapidly switching from traditional to contemporary measurement of water flow rate using ultrasonic meters. These are popular flow meters that are easy to install on a piping system. The best feature of this meter is that they are non–intrusive since you can install them outside the fluid-flowing pipes. It is important to install these meters correctly. If so, they are quite accurate in measuring the flow of water. The working of this meter is typically to measure the rate of the flow. But, you can also use them to measure total water flow if needed.
There is one thing that needs to be remembered. The use of conventional meters requires the installation of sensors in the line. It requires you to shut down the line to install the meter. But, with ultrasonic technology, there is no need to shut down the line since the installation takes place at the outside of the pipe. Therefore, the risk of head loss is also not associated with the use of these devices. Hence, you can install these meters at various locations using clamp-on transducers. So, the measurement of water will be leakage-free as this will not cause any damage to the pipes.
To sum up
The maximum use of water is related to the irrigation of crops. So, in order to measuring water flow, the use of these flow meters is adequate. However, these devices come with different working principles and costs. So, it is necessary to make a cost and work comparison before choosing one. If you are not much sure, then you can get help from the experts to choose the appropriate method. You must also look at the degree of accuracy to derive precise measuring results for ensuring efficiency and cost management.
