http://www.flowcontrolnetwork.

com/blogs/2-flowstream-blog/post/92525-positive-displacement-flowmeter-helps-improvewater-quality-in-the-potomac-river

Venturi Flowmeter Helps Improve Water Quality in the Potomac River

February 12, 2015
Primary Flow Signal, a designer and manufacturer of flowmetering solutions, has
successfully installed a rectangular Halmi Venturi Flow Meter used to accurately
measure sewage discharge from the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant
in Washington, DC.
According to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, the Blue Plains
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant is the largest of its kind in the world with a
capacity of 370 million gallons per day (MGD), a peak capacity of 1.076 billion gallons
per day and covering 150 acres. The plant provides wastewater collection and treatment
services to more than 2 million Washington metro area customers.
Primary Flow Signal collaborated with Black & Veatch to assess the authoritys flow
metering requirements for treatment of sewage that will eventually flow back into the
Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Due to the unique upstream
configuration and extremely low-pressure within the channel (5 PSI), Primary Flow
Signal performed scale model testing that validated the projected accuracy and head loss
of the meter despite the significant physical, dimensional, and low-pressure challenges
of the flow channel. The model work shed light on potential pitfalls, but Primary Flow
Signals experience in hydraulic engineering ensured that the full-size meters accuracy
would not be impacted.

Primary Flow Signal Metering Section

Ultimately, a full-size rectangular Halmi Venturi Flow Meter was manufactured in the
companys Rhode Island facility and installed by Ulliman Schutte Construction with
assistance from Primary Flow Signal personnel. Once installed, grouting and concrete
work ensured a smooth flow through the meter. Primary Flow Signal says this was
vitally important as the low pressure in the channel made headloss a significant concern
for maintaining accuracy.

Installation
The Blue Plains project presented an opportunity for us to collaborate with the
authoritys internal engineers and Black &Veatch to come up with what is, frankly, the
only solution possible for this particular application, said Gary Gilbert, Senior
Principal Engineer at Primary Flow Signal. From initial planning, model testing,
manufacturing, installation, to final acceptance, this important project validated our
approach to ensure the meter will meet and exceed its projected performance.
Halmi Venturi Flow Meters are rugged, reliable, differential-pressure measurement
devices, designed to measure full pipe flow of gases or liquids over extreme temperature
ranges, as well as contaminated liquids, sludges, slurries, and sewage. Halmi Venturi
Flow Meters are available in a variety of materials, including a cast iron pressure vessel,
fabricated (welded) metal pressure vessel, plastic insert style, welded insert, and
welded-in pressure vessel. Additionally, the Halmi Venturi Flow Meter is offered cast in
place (usually concrete and typically rectangular) depending upon application
requirements.
Source: Primary Flow Signal