Standard teaching and research flumes
19 เมษายน 2566
ผู้ชม 257 ผู้ชม
DESCRIPTION
Armfield has been designing and supplying open channel facilities (also referred to as flumes) to hydraulic laboratories throughout the world for over 50 years.
This page presents the standard range of channels/flumes available from Armfield, both for teaching and research purposes. We however can produce other sizes and layouts to suit specific design criteria.
The Armfield engineering team will work with our customers to make sure the brief, deadline and installation design needs are fully met.
All our flumes are supplied under the guidance of the Armfield professional service team who will oversee the transportation, installation, commissioning and training on site.
DEMONSTRATION CAPABILITIES
WAVEMAKING
Types: Single and multi paddle, piston or wind generated
Description: Wave generation and the effects of waves are significant areas of research.
Wave generator options can range from simple paddle systems, through to multi-paddle computer controlled wave generating systems. For many applications, particularly coastal models and flume studies, long crested and directional random waves are sufficient to model the sea state. For offshore studies and some shallow water problems multi-directional components are required.
Flumes may be used to study breakwaters, sea walls and beach behaviour or for fundamental research.
Whatever the application Armfield can supply a complete system designed to suit your particular requirements.
WIND SIMULATION
Description: Integrated wind simulation systems can be provided offering mono or bi-direction wind
The wind generation system is integrated into the Armfield flume. Computer operated, it lets you set different wind profiles in conjunction with flow and wave generation as required.
Armfield can offer the addition of wind simulation with a variable speed fan system connected to a clear cowling running over the flume.
Variable wind simulation speeds up to and in excess of 25 metres per second are available.
- Wave makers available for all flumes including C4 Flume
- Computer controlled via our bespoke software
- Wind generated wave achievable
SEDIMENT TRANSFER
Types: Recirculation through dedicated transfer or through main pump system or deposit and collection via vibration feed and extraction point
Armfield can offer options for running sediment transfer experimentation within the flumes.
The flume is fitted with an expansion ‘drop out’ section which collects all mobile bed sediment and a baffle to encourage lighter suspended particles to be deposited and/or weighed.
Dedicated transfer – A separate solids handling pump is installed and connected to the drop out section. The pump can be used with sedimentation up to 10mm in size, which is then pumped to the start of the working section for redistribution. This system can be operated continuously.
Sediment transfer through the main circulation pump – This is particularly suitable for experimentation of fine suspended sediment. The pumps are lined and are designed to handle sedimentation up to 4mm in size. The suspended sediment is pumped through the main pipework. This system can be operated continuously.
Sediment collection and extraction – Where sediment needs to be collected and not automatically recirculated a series of valves are fitted to the drop out section enabling periodic extraction of deposited sediment.
- Recirculation or non recirculation options available
SEDIMENT WEIGHING
Description: Basket weighing system and sediment sampling
The need to gather data regarding the erosion and or deposition of sediment in relevant experiments always presents a challenge.
Armfield offer a weighing system that is efficient and easy to use. The system can be integrated into the software package and allows the logging of weight against time. A removable diverter plate assists to ‘drop out’ fast moving particulate.
- Sensor control
- Add PIV to illuminate and record partials in the flow, build up a picture of the changes in the sediment profile
PLC CONTROL SYSTEM AND TILTING/INCLINE CONTROL OPTION
Types: Touch screen or analogue
The system will be supplied with a floor standing control panel. The cabinet houses the frequency inverters which control the tilt and pump motor speeds.
As standard, the Armfield flume is supplied with a PLC control system with HMI touch screen interface.
Automatic control
When the system is set in automatic mode the desired water depth, tilt/incline and flow rate can be selected. The system will then monitor the settings and using PID control data to maintain the desired output.
- In the main overview there is the function to start/stop the whole process
- The required flow rate can be set
- The required depth can be set
- The required tilt/incline can be set, not visible if option disabled. To disable set the max incline in the settings page to zero
- The required sediment feed can be set, not visible if option disabled. To disable set the max sediment in the settings page to zero
- An information window displays the system state
- The speed on the selected pump is displayed
- The selected pump number is displayed
- The pump valve position is displayed
- The weir position is displayed
- The flow rate is displayed
- The tank levels are displayed
- The running state of the pump is displayed
- The 10 pressure sensors are displayed (optional)
WEIR OPTIONS
Types: Base hinge, undershot/overshot weir, stop log, Venetian blind weir
Venetian blind weir –
To control the water height in the flow channel, advantages are a significantly reduced drawdown upstream of the weir, reduced turbulence at the discharge, no impediment to sediment transport, extends the working section
Undershot/overshot weir –
To control the water height in the flow channel
Base hinge weir –
The standard option to control the water height in the flow channel
Stop log weir –
To control the water height in the flow channel
FLOOD GATE
Description: Flood event research
With a computer controlled release system, this option will open up environmental experimentation.
Our engineers have designed an option to carry out flood event studies, leaky barriers, dam research, effect on structures and more. This flume furthers our involvement in creating equipment for environmental erosion studies.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Working section dimensions
S60 Tilting
Width – 0.6m
Depth – 0.8m
Length – 5-30m (in 2.5m modular increments
S60 Static
Width – 0.6m
Depth – 0.8m
Length – 5-50m (in 2.5m modular increments
S80 Tilting
Width – 0.8m
Depth – 1.0m
Length – 5-30m (in 2.5m modular increments
S80 Static
Width – 0.8m
Depth – 1.0m
Length – 5-50m (in 2.5m modular increments
S100 Tilting
Width – 1.0m
Depth – 1.2m
Length – 5-30m (in 2.5m modular increments
S100 Static
Width – 1.0m
Depth – 1.2m
Length – 5-50m (in 2.5m modular increments
FREE DISCHARGE VERSES RECIRCULATION FLUMES
Traditionally hydraulic laboratories were constructed with underfloor sumps and/or elevated header tanks linked with a ring main rarely enjoyed by new facilities. Armfield are able to supply flumes either in a non self-contained configuration, where they can be serviced from an existing header tank and discharge to a laboratory sump, or as fully self-contained system.
Below: Top – Free discharge via underfloor or floor mounted reservoir
Bottom: Recirculation flume via Armfield supplied pipework
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Armfield Ltd have over 50 years experience in the design and supply of major research flumes worldwide.
Representing innovative product evolution, Armfield’s research flumes can be offered as static or tilting with either free discharge or recirculation modes.
- All our flumes are supplied under the guidance of the Armfield professional service team who will oversee the transportation, installation, commissioning and training on site as part of our scope of supply
- Single or multiple pump options to suit user requirements
- The flume is constructed in a modular format allowing extension in multiples of 2.5m at a later stage if required
- Standard lengths of up to 30m can be accommodated for tilting flumes. Tilting flumes greater than 30m are available on request. Static flumes are available at any length
- Armfield have extensive experience in design and delivery of large tilting flumes and understand the operational requirements upon the jacks and the pivot. Both the pedestals and the jacking mechanism are designed to ensure stability in all operating conditions
Standard Supply
- Inlet tank complete with inlet manifold
- Discharge tank
- Precision working section topped by load bearing instrument rails
- Control console
- Service system
- Software package
Options
- Recirculation
- Top-up pump for recirculation mode
- Sediment recirculation
- Jacking system
- Reservoir tanks
- Sediment weighing
- Sediment transfer
- Sediment feed
- Instrument carriage
- Powered instrument carriage
- Walkway
- Wavemaker
- Bed profiling
- Wind generation
- Base glass viewing window
- Undershot/overshot weir
- Venetian blind weir option
- Dam release option