HomeMy WebLinkAboutFlow Monitoring McCutchen Sewer2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
Methods & Procedures & Equipment
Methods and Procedures
Utility Systems Science & Software provided McIntosh & Associates with an off the shelf,
non-proprietary flow monitoring solution that included two state of the art Hach Flo-Dar® AV
Sensor systems. The project course of action is listed below. The US3 team:
Assessed permitting and traffic control at the sites on Mc Cutchen Rd in Bakersfield.
Coordinated with the City and obtained an Encroachment Permit for access to the
sanitary sewer system.
Installed and removed traffic control in accord with site-specific California Temporary
Traffic Control Handbook (CATTCH) requirements for both the installation and
removal of flow monitoring equipment.
Validated the sites for suitability for sewer flow monitoring.
o Manhole (MH) 3 was in the eastbound lane on Mc Cutchen Rd and accessed the
inflow to the pump station. There were no laterals and the monitored line had slow
to moderate hydraulics with varying degrees of backwater condition due to
proximity of pump station.
o The manhole on the north shoulder of Mc Cutchen Rd accessed the outflow from
the pump station. There were no laterals and the monitored line had moderate
open channel hydraulics.
Installed and calibrated the flow monitoring equipment at the sites per manufacturer
recommendations on 5/27/2022.
o Follow-up on the installations confirmed equipment was reading properly.
o Collected 15-minute interval depth and velocity data points over the entire
monitoring period.
Removed the equipment on 6/21/2022 and validated the data.
o All of the equipment went through diagnostic testing before and after the study
with less than a 1% deviation between manual and meter level readings and less
than a 5% deviation between manual and meter velocity readings.
o Equipment calibration was verified in accordance with manufacturer
specifications.
Prepared the data reports.
o From the graphs, it appears that the pipe upstream from the pump station is used
for storage, with discharge to an internal wet well each Thursday. This allows a
more consistent discharge rate to the downstream line.
o The table on the following page contains a summary of the average (Avg) and
maximum (Max) velocities (Vel) and levels (Lev) collected during this study as well
as the calculated flow rates (Flow) and depth versus diameter ratios (d/D).
2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
MH
Pipe
Size
(in)
Avg
Vel
(fps)
Max
Vel
(fps)
Avg
Lev
(in)
Max
Lev
(in)
Avg
Flow
(gpm)
Max
Flow
(gpm)
Avg
d/D
Max
d/D
In 60 0.62 1.56 47.52 60.57 5415.54 10,886.3 0.79 1.01
Out 60 2.53 4.67 15.52 64.94 4398.15 12,077.7 0.26 1.08
Equipment
Figure above: Web-Enabled Flo-Dar® AV Sensor, Radar-Based Velocity/Area Flow Meter
2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
FloDar® AV Sensor Specifications:
Enclosure
o IP68 Waterproof rating, Polystyrene
Dimensions
o 160.5 W x 432.2 L x 297 D mm (6.32 x 16.66 x 11.7 in.),
o With SVS, D = 387 mm (15.2 in.)
Weight
o 4.8 kg (10.5 lbs.)
Operating Temperature
o -10 to 50°C (14 to 122°F)
Storage Temperature
o -40 to 60°C (-40 to 140°F)
Power Requirements
o Supplied by FL900 Flow Logger, Flo-Logger, or Flo-Station
Interconnecting Cable
o Disconnect available at both sensor and logger or Flo-Station
o Polyurethane, 0.400 (±0.015) in. diameter; IP68
o Standard length 9 m (30 ft), maximum 305 m (1000 ft)
Cables – available in two styles:
o connectors at both ends
o connector from sensor with open leads to desiccant hub, desiccant hub with
connector to logger. A potting/sealant kit will be included. This can be used to run
the cable through conduit.
Certification
o Certified to: FCC Part 15.245: FCC ID: VIC-FLODAR24
o Industry Canada Spec. RSS210. v7: IC No.: 6149A-FLODAR24
SURCHARGE DEPTH MEASUREMENT
o Auto zero function maintains zero error below 0.5 cm (0.2 in.)
Method
o Piezo-resistive pressure transducer with stainless steel diaphragm
Range
o 3.5 m (138 in.), overpressure rating 2.5 x full scale
VELOCITY MEASUREMENT
Method
o Radar
Range
o 0.23 to 6.10 m/s (0.75 to 20 ft/s)
2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
Frequency Range
o 24.075 to 24.175 GHz, 15.2 mW (max.)
Accuracy
o ±0.5%; ±0.03 m/s (±0.1 ft/s)
DEPTH MEASUREMENT
Method
o Ultrasonic
Standard Operating Range from Flo-Dar® Housing to Liquid
o 0 to 152.4 cm (0 to 60 in.)
Optional Extended Level Operating Range from Transducer Face to Liquid
o 0 to 6.1 m (0 to 20 ft.) with 43.18 cm (17 in.) dead band, temperature compensated.
Accuracy
o ±1%; ±0.25 cm (±0.1 in.)
FLOW MEASUREMENT
Method
o Based on Continuity Equation
Accuracy
o ±5% of reading typical where flow is in a channel with uniform flow conditions and is
not surcharged, ±1% full scale max.
SURCHARGE CONDITIONS DEPTH/VELOCITY DEPTH (Std with Flo-Dar® Sensor)
Surcharge depth supplied by Flo-Dar® sensor.
VELOCITY (Optional Surcharge Velocity Sensor)
Method
o Electromagnetic
Range
o ±4.8 m/s (±16 ft/s)
Accuracy
o ±0.15 ft/s or 4% of reading, whichever is greater.
Zero Stability
o ±0.05 ft/s
The Flo-Dar® Open Channel Flow Meters provide an innovative approach to open channel
flow monitoring. Combining digital Doppler radar velocity sensing with ultrasonic pulse echo
level sensing Flo-Dar® provides accurate open channel flow monitoring without the fouling
problems associated with submerged sensors.
2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
Perfect Solution for Difficult Flow Conditions:
Flows with High Solids Content
High Temperature Flows
Caustic Flows
Large Man-Made Channel
High Velocities
Shallow Flows
Benefits:
1. Personnel have no contact with the flow during installation.
2. Maintenance caused by sensor fouling is eliminated
3. Field Replaceable/Interchangeable Sensors and Monitors
2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
How It Works
Flo-Dar® transmits a digital Doppler radar beam that interacts with the fluid and reflects back
signals at a different frequency than that which was transmitted. These reflected signals are
compared with the transmitted frequency. The resulting frequency shift provides an accurate
measure of the velocity and the direction of the flow. Level is detected by ultrasonic pulse
echo. Flow is then calculated based on the Continuity Equation:
Q = V x A, Where Q = Flow, V = Average Velocity and A = Area
Accurate Flow Measurements
Flo-Dar® provides the user with highly accurate flow measurements under a wide range of
flows and site conditions. By measuring the velocity of the fluid from above, Flo-Dar®
eliminates accuracy problems inherent with submerged sensors including sensor
disturbances, high solids content and distribution of reflectors.
Figure above: US3 utilizes exclusively Hach March-McBirney Flo-Dar® Meters
2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
US3 Company Information
US3 is a California Corporation Federal ID No. 33-0729605 and qualifies as a Minority
Business Enterprise. US3 has certified as an MBE with the California Public Utility
Commission’s authorized clearinghouse, Verification Number: 97ES0008.
US3 is a specialty service company for the Water & Waste Water industry, providing
monitoring and control for Utilities since 1996. US3 is in the forefront of this industry by taking
the proven technological approaches developed in other high-tech industries and applying
them to protect one of our most precious natural resources - our water.
US3 engineers and technical personnel have applied advanced instrumentation system
technology to water/wastewater open channel flow monitoring, pipeline evaluation,
engineering, and data analysis, all coupled to the power of the Internet. This unique
integrated systems approach allows the company to bring greater insight and intelligence to
gathering information about water/wastewater system performance of our clients, and in
turn, to support the fulfillment of their commitments to manage and cost effectively design,
operate, and maintain these systems.
Moreover, US3 supports Municipalities, Consulting Engineering firms and other water/waste
water systems integrators by providing temporary technical services for engineering,
software programming and technical site maintenance and calibration site support work,
primarily in the Water and Waste Water industries.
Figure at right: All US3
technicians are certified
for Confined Space Entry.
2022.05.27-06.21 Temporary Sewer Flow Monitoring McIntosh & Associates
Utility Systems Science & Software
Key Personnel Assigned
US3 provided the necessary resources to fully implement this project. Primary in support of
this effort were the following personnel:
Mr. Mark Serres: Mr. Serres is a degreed electrical engineer with over 25 years of
experience with fresh/wastewater systems, project management, and systems integration in
relation to complex industrial systems. This includes experience in industrial automation and
water/wastewater industries. Mr. Serres is responsible for assuring client satisfaction and
marshalling the required resources to meet the project requirements.
Mr. Thomas Williams: Mr. Williams is an Engineering Manager with over 20 years of
experience in complex systems development for wastewater monitoring. This experience
includes hydraulic compatibility, instrumentation, communications and analysis. Mr. Williams
is responsible for assuring that the required equipment is designed and calibrated to meet
the project requirements.
Darlene Szczublewski, PE: Mrs. Szczublewski is a licensed Civil Engineer in multiple
states. She has over 15 years of engineering experience with stormwater/wastewater
related projects. She assisted in the completion of several Sanitary Sewer Evaluation
Surveys and Capacity Analysis projects to meet Consent Decrees as well as completing
numerous Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) studies for other clients. Mrs. Szczublewski has
developed numerous flow data analysis techniques to present a clear informative picture of
flow in a monitored system. Her work also includes the development of training programs
for clients describing I&I and capacity analysis methodologies. Mrs. Szczublewski is
responsible for analyzing the data as well as the data collection process and assuring that
the reports meet the project requirements.
Name, title, address and telephone number of persons to contact regarding this US3 project.
Darlene Szczublewski, PE
Senior Civil Engineer
darlene.szczublewski@uscubed.com
9314 Bond Av, Suite A
El Cajon, CA 92021
619-546-4281 (work)
619-246-5304 (cell)
Tom Williams
Engineering Manager
tom.williams@uscubed.com
9314 Bond Av, Suite A
El Cajon, CA 92021
619-546-4281 (work)
619-398-7799 (cell)