A Device for Measuring Thin Fluid Flow Depth Over an Inclined Open Rectangular Channel

Accurate knowledge of the fluid flow depth over an inclined rectangular open channel is of obvious value in the modeling of flow characteristics over that channel. Understanding of this type of fluid flow behavior is of immense importance to the mineral processing fraternity as a large number of separators work on this principle. Therefore, a multiple point computer-controlled depth gauge was developed to measure water flow depths at various flow rates ranging from 0.81 l/s to 2.26 l/s over an inclined (17.5 deg) rectangular channel (2400 mm long and 370 mm wide). This paper describes the details about the device and the data acquisition procedure. An attempt has also been made to predict the measured flow depths at various operating conditions by using a modified form of the conventional law of the wall model. An overall relative error of 4.23% between the measured and the predicted flow depths at various flow rates establishes the validity of the model.