What are the advantages and disadvantages of the various type of flumes?
Palmer Bowlus flumes and their close cousins the proprietary Accura-flo Low Flow flumes are the most convenient for measuring flows in pipes, particularly sewer applications. They are also relatively insensitive to downstream conditions and may be used as in line structures in pipes as flat as 0.25 % slope. Trapezoidal flumes are quite similar to Palmer Bowlus flumes and as the name implies lend themselves well to use in trapezoidal channels such as irrigation ditches and canals. They can be used to measure flows in pipes provided that an adequate transition from the circular to the trapezoidal cross section is provided. Trapezoidal flumes do not have a raised sill and therefore pass sediment extremely well. Like the Palmer Bowlus they are insensitive to downstream conditions. Cutthroat flumes are less familiar to most users. Their properties are similar to the Trapezoidal flumes. Like the Trapezoidals they do not have a raised sill and pass sediment well. They are rectangular in cross
