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Adaptive design of tipping bucket flow meters for continuous runoff measurement

Schwamback, Dimaghi LU orcid ; Persson, Magnus LU ; Berndtsson, Ronny LU orcid ; Anache, Jamil a. a. and Wendland, Edson cezar (2023) In Frontiers in Environmental Science 11.
Abstract
Introduction: Runoff measurement and monitoring is a laborious, timeconsuming,
and costly task. Additionally, common runoff monitoring usually primarily provide water level, requiring information on the stage-discharge relation. Automatic equipment such as flow meter tipping bucket (TB) is a potential option to simplify and provide continuous runoff monitoring in small catchments. However, a proper description of how to size and adapt the design under different flow conditions is still lacking.
Methodology: In this paper we present a novel standardized framework for the design of TB that can be used for low-cost and real-time runoff monitoring under many different conditions. The framework consists of an estimation of the runoff... (More)
Introduction: Runoff measurement and monitoring is a laborious, timeconsuming,
and costly task. Additionally, common runoff monitoring usually primarily provide water level, requiring information on the stage-discharge relation. Automatic equipment such as flow meter tipping bucket (TB) is a potential option to simplify and provide continuous runoff monitoring in small catchments. However, a proper description of how to size and adapt the design under different flow conditions is still lacking.
Methodology: In this paper we present a novel standardized framework for the design of TB that can be used for low-cost and real-time runoff monitoring under many different conditions. The framework consists of an estimation of the runoff peak rate using the rational equation and a volumetric capacity estimate of the cavity based on runoff rate, operation speed, and inclination angle of TB when at resting position. The proposed framework was implemented in a case study where four TBs were designed for continuous runoff monitoring from experimental plots (100m2) with different land use (sugarcane, soybean, and bare soil).
Results: During field tests (five months), the designed TBs had a recovery rate of actual runoff ranging from 61% to 81% and were able to capture features poorly studied (starting/ending time and peak flow) that have potential importance in hydrological models.
Discussion: The proposed framework is flexible and can be used for different environmental conditions to provide continuous runoff data records. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Frontiers in Environmental Science
volume
11
article number
1286929
pages
14 pages
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • scopus:85188451787
ISSN
2296-665X
DOI
10.3389/fenvs.2023.1286929
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
6033b0be-3f7e-4767-baa6-48454d5d3d0d
date added to LUP
2024-01-10 17:08:31
date last changed
2024-04-11 12:29:55
@article{6033b0be-3f7e-4767-baa6-48454d5d3d0d,
  abstract     = {{Introduction: Runoff measurement and monitoring is a laborious, timeconsuming,<br/>and costly task. Additionally, common runoff monitoring usually primarily provide water level, requiring information on the stage-discharge relation. Automatic equipment such as flow meter tipping bucket (TB) is a potential option to simplify and provide continuous runoff monitoring in small catchments. However, a proper description of how to size and adapt the design under different flow conditions is still lacking.<br/>Methodology: In this paper we present a novel standardized framework for the design of TB that can be used for low-cost and real-time runoff monitoring under many different conditions. The framework consists of an estimation of the runoff peak rate using the rational equation and a volumetric capacity estimate of the cavity based on runoff rate, operation speed, and inclination angle of TB when at resting position. The proposed framework was implemented in a case study where four TBs were designed for continuous runoff monitoring from experimental plots (100m2) with different land use (sugarcane, soybean, and bare soil).<br/>Results: During field tests (five months), the designed TBs had a recovery rate of actual runoff ranging from 61% to 81% and were able to capture features poorly studied (starting/ending time and peak flow) that have potential importance in hydrological models.<br/>Discussion: The proposed framework is flexible and can be used for different environmental conditions to provide continuous runoff data records.}},
  author       = {{Schwamback, Dimaghi and Persson, Magnus and Berndtsson, Ronny and Anache, Jamil a. a. and Wendland, Edson cezar}},
  issn         = {{2296-665X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Environmental Science}},
  title        = {{Adaptive design of tipping bucket flow meters for continuous runoff measurement}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1286929}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fenvs.2023.1286929}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}