Case studies

In the monitoring of pressurized water networks, pipeline flow measurement represents a fundamental element for efficient resource management, especially in agricultural and irrigation applications.

A reliable and easily installable solution is the implementation of a measurement station based on transit-time ultrasonic technology, allowing flow monitoring without modifying the existing pipeline.

Station configuration

A typical station for pipeline flow measurement consists of:

• Ultrasonic flow meter (digital converter)
• Pair of ultrasonic sensors (UP sensor and DOWN sensor)
• Data acquisition system (datalogger)
• Power supply system (electrical grid or solar panel)
• Data transmission system (GSM, radio or local network)

This configuration makes it possible to transform a simple spot measurement into a continuous remote monitoring system.

Operating principle

The system is based on measuring the transit time of an ultrasonic signal between two sensors installed on the pipeline.

The sensors send and receive pulses in both directions:

• with the flow
• against the flow

Since the fluid is moving, the signal travel time differs in the two cases. This difference is processed by the converter to determine the fluid velocity and, knowing the pipe diameter, calculate the flow rate.

This is a non-invasive technology that does not require cutting the pipe or interrupting service.

Installation

Sensor installation is simple and does not require structural modifications to the pipeline.

The transducers are positioned externally on the pipeline:

• the UP sensor is installed upstream
• the DOWN sensor is installed downstream

The correct positioning and distance between sensors depend on the pipe diameter and the pipeline material.

During the initial configuration, the main parameters are set:

• external pipe diameter
• material characteristics
• measurement full scale
• system date and time

These data are essential to ensure accurate and stable measurements over time.

Advantages of the station

The use of this type of station offers several operational advantages:

• quick installation without plant shutdown
• no invasive intervention on the pipeline
• continuous monitoring capability
• real-time data transmission
• high adaptability to different installation contexts

Applications

Pipeline flow measurement stations are used in several sectors:

• agricultural irrigation networks
• water supply systems
• industrial plants
• water distribution systems

Integration with acquisition and remote control systems also allows centralized management of multiple measurement points, improving the overall efficiency of the network.