2017(F)-MS-CEH-04

Experiment No. 6
To study the flow characteristics through a Parshall flume.
Objective:
 To study flow characteristics through a Parshall flume.
 To plot water surface profiles of flow through Parshall flume.
 To compute the Cd value.
Apparatus:
 Glass sided tilted flume.
 Parshall flume.
 Point gauge.
 Orifice meter.
Related theory:
Parshall flume:
Parshall flumes are calibrated devices for the measurement of water in open channels. They were
developed by Parshall (1922) after whom the device was named. The flume consists of a
converging section with a level floor, a throat section with a downward sloping floor, and a
diverging section with an upward sloping floor.

1
 2017(F)-MS-CEH-04

Fig 6.1 (Parshall flume)

The most recognized and commonly used flume today, the Parshall flume is a fixed hydraulic
structure. It is used to measure volumetric flow rate in industrial discharges, municipal sewer lines,
and influent/effluent flows in wastewater treatment plants.
A total of 22 standard sizes of Parshall flumes have been developed which can measure flow ranges
from 0.005 cfs to 3,280 cfs.
Flow conditions in Parshall flume:
Two types of flow conditions exist:
1) Free flow:
When there is no back water to restrict flow through a flume. Only the upstream depth needs to be
measured to calculate the flow rate. A free flow also induces a hydraulic jump downstream of the
flume.
2) Submerged flow:
When the water surface downstream of the flume is high enough to restrict flow through a flume,
submerged flume conditions exist. A backwater buildup effect occurs in a submerged flume. For
a flow calculation a depth measurement both upstream and downstream is needed.
Function of Parshall flume:
The primary point of measurement (Ha) is in the inlet of the flume, two-thirds of the length of the
converging section from the flume crest. The secondary point of measurement (Hb) is in the throat
of the flume.
The free-flow discharge can be summarized as

Q = CHan
The formula simplified for our lab flume is
Q = 0.177Ha1.547

Where
 Q is flow rate
 C is the free-flow coefficient for the flume
 Ha is the head at the primary point of measurement
 n varies with flume size
As a Parshall flume becomes submerged, where downstream conditions reduce the flow out of the
flume, corrections must be made to the flow equation. To determine when these corrections should
be made, the submergence ratio must be calculated.

2
 2017(F)-MS-CEH-04

The submergence ratio is the ratio of the downstream depth at the secondary point of measurement,
Hb to the depth at the primary point of measurement Ha.
Drawbacks of Parshall flume:
 As with weirs, flumes can also influence local fauna. Some species or certain life stages
of the same species may be blocked by flumes due to relatively slow swim speeds or
behavioral characteristics.
 In earthen channels, upstream bypass and downstream scour may occur. Armoring of the
upstream and downstream channels is recommended.
Procedure:
 Level the tilting flume and place the Parshall flume, ensuring that the larger inlet contraction
is positioned upstream.

 The power of water pump is turned on and water is allowed to flow through the flume. With
this constant flow and level, Q, Ha and Hb are observed and noted.

 The depths of water along the the length of flume at different points are recorded for drawing
the surface profiles.

 Then by closing the outflow gate of flume we can make the hydraulic jump at d/s of Parshall
flume and note down the readings as above.

3
 2017(F)-MS-CEH-04

Observations and calculations:

Qact Ha Qth Upstream Convergance Throat Divergance Downstream

Cd
(m3/s) (mm) (m3/s) x(m) y(mm) x(m) y(mm) x(m) y(mm) x(m) y(mm) x(m) y(mm)
4.00 215.5 5.20 152 5.66 120 5.78 80 6.29 69
0.01020 206.9 0.0155 0.66 4.50 214 5.33 145 5.70 115 5.90 54 6.50 95
4.80 222 5.50 138 - - 6.03 35 6.79 98
4.00 248 5.20 185 5.66 125 5.78 96 6.48 28
0.01200 172 0.0116 1.03 4.50 240 5.33 181 5.70 100 5.90 70 6.99 69
4.80 240 5.50 172 - - 6.03 60 7.25 71
4.00 225 5.20 181 5.66 151 5.78 100 6.10 25
0.01442 187 0.0132 1.09 4.50 253 5.33 178 5.70 145 5.90 60 7.55 37
4.80 254 5.50 164 - - 6.03 29 8.15 75

4
 2017(F)-MS-CEH-04

Qact VS Qth
0.016

0.015

0.014

Qth
0.013

0.012

0.011

0.01
0.01 0.011 0.012 0.013 0.014 0.015
Qact

Qact VS Ha Cd VS Qact
0.016 1.25

1.15

1.05
Qact(m3/sec)

0.014

Cd
0.95

0.012 0.85

0.75

0.01 0.65
150 160 170 180 190 200 210 0.01 0.011 0.012 0.013 0.014 0.015
Ha (mm) Qact

5
 2017(F)-MS-CEH-04

Comments:

 The value of Cd increase with discharge.

 There is a difference in Qact and Qth which is due experimental errors like leakage from
the sides of Parshall flume.