Penstock flow rate measurement

Energy has become a priority issue (due to the depletion of fossil fuels and the production and operation costs of nuclear energy, etc.). As a result, electricity production by hydroelectric power plants has become an interesting alternative, because it is natural and does not create pollution. There is a large and ever-growing number of plants (more than 1,500 with a small, medium or large production capacity). It is therefore vital to control and optimise the yield of these plants. This is why Ultraflux offers its clients a debit meter that is capable of responding to this objective of knowing the yield of their plants as precisely as possible.

Ultraflux was asked to equip pipes in a hydroelectric plant situated within a mountain range. We were asked to install multi-chord ultrasound flow meters on existing pipes with large diameters (1,800 to 2,700mm). To do this, we needed to take into account hydraulic, time and access constraints in relation to the various sites to be equipped.

In order to satisfy our client’s requirements, the measurement uncertainty of the measurement points must be better than 1%.

• Measures speed over several sections so that the various flow speeds can be taken into account,
• Controlled and highly reliable measurement uncertainty,
• Probes can be mounted under load,
• Very dynamic measurements,
• Good repeatability.