Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 776 dated 09/04/13 obliged homeowners and entrepreneurs to introduce control over wastewater accounting. Ultimately, the event should lead to a rational approach to the use of natural resources and lower fees for water use. By default, the volume of effluents is taken equal to the number of cubic meters of hot and cold water, determined by counters or by accepted standards. Studies show that real consumption is greater. Homeowners can use water for household needs: watering flower beds, caring for animals. A sewer meter in a private house will determine the actual amount of effluent entering the sewage system.
Types of Wastewater Flow Meters
There are several types of sewage water meters with different devices, technical operating conditions and designs.
Electromagnetic devices
Built on the principle of conversion of electromotive force obtained by the interaction of the flow of an electrically conductive fluid with the created electromagnetic field. The digital signal that determines the meter readings is directly proportional to the speed of the water flow.
Benefits:
- reliability;
- high accuracy of measurement;
- simple maintenance and installation;
- the ability to take readings when the medium is moving in two directions;
- work without loss of pressure and vibration.
They are used in industrial production, energy, petrochemical industry and other sectors of the economy.
Lever and Pendulum Counters
Measurements are carried out according to two parameters:
- fluid level;
- flow rates.
The principle of operation is based on the movement of the float mechanism in contact with the medium. The vertical movement of the float is converted into signals and transmitted to various measuring devices, the flow rate is measured using a rotary blade.
Meters of this type are mainly used in open and closed discharge channels, with their use they monitor the liquid level.
Ultrasonic water meters
The principle of operation is based on the analysis of acoustic data, which are recorded during the passage of a stream through ultrasonic vibrations. Two parameters are used for measurement:
- cross-sectional area;
- travel speed.
They are widely used in wastewater treatment plants, local, gravity and open sewer systems, in pressureless installations with large diameter pipes. The term of operation is up to 10 years. High accuracy with an automated protective system allows the use of devices in various industries.
Main advantages:
- the ability to work water meters in closed pipelines without free access to regulating the device;
- use of wireless communications;
- remote access when taking readings;
- saving measurement data on removable media.
Ultrasound devices need constant supervision and maintenance. In overhead flow meters it is necessary to replace the gel.
Vortex counters
Based on the measurement of pressure differences that occur when a triangular object is immersed in a gas or liquid medium. The appearing turbulences directly depend on the flow velocity. A zone of reduced pressure is formed in the vortex flow. The difference between high and low values creates a differential parameter, which is recorded by the meter.The rate of change of the monitored signal allows you to calculate the flow rate.
Advantages of vortex counters:
- lack of moving parts;
- simplicity of execution;
- the accuracy of the measurement parameters is independent of changes in pressure and temperature of the medium;
- resistance to mechanical stress;
- stable operation in highly polluted environments.
Disadvantages:
- pressure loss;
- sensitivity to noise and vibration;
- unreliable indicators at a low flow rate.
Vortex devices are not effective in pipes with a small cross-section (up to 150 mm) and with a large diameter (over 300 mm).
There are also induction, radar and mechanical ring devices. But they did not receive much distribution.
Criterias of choice
The consumer is interested in the optimal ratio between the cost of the device and the possibility of generating income with the exact determination of the volume of effluents. Lever-pendulum counters have a low cost. They are able to work with sufficient accuracy even in silted pipes for a long period, but they require verification every 2 years.
In order to simultaneously monitor the flow of wastewater, portable devices based on ultrasonic technologies are used. Their advantage is easy installation and accuracy, which are leveled by a rather high cost.
Features of mounting the meter on drains
Only qualified specialists can install meters, since if the technological conditions are violated, the readings of the water meters will not be considered reliable. This will result in additional cash losses.
The selected device should correspond to the type of sewerage and pipe diameter, and also have the necessary units for its operation in the kit.
Instrument Installation Requirements:
- installation is carried out in accordance with the instructions;
- the cross section of the inner cavity is filled with liquid;
- the dimensions of the straight sections of the pipeline at the inlet and outlet of the flowmeter are observed;
- the device is correctly located inside the pipe section;
- install the meter on a straight section of gravity drainage at the lowest level with a deviation of not more than 25 degrees;
- it is not allowed to mount near bends, at high points and downstream sections of the pipe system.
Fulfillment of the requirements will reduce payments for sewage. This statement is especially true for owners of private homes. The location of the device should be convenient for maintenance.
Possible problems using the device
The forums voiced problems using the RSL-212 water meter. During installation, the configuration was not read, it was not possible to go into the parameter settings. The error may consist in overwriting the settings of the primary meter. It is eliminated using the “communication setup” function.
When air enters the cross section of the device, the indicators are distorted. The difficulty of setting up water meters is noted: two devices installed side by side often show different values.
Cost of sewer meters
The most popular devices of the company "Rise", as they are certified. Designed for use in non-pressure pipelines. The price of a sewage meter takeoff RSL is 74,000 rubles.
Dnepr 7.01.11-1 is used in non-pressure collectors. Price: 44000 rub.
ECHO-R-02 ultrasonic flow meter measures the volume of effluents in pressure-free pipelines with diameters from 100 mm and in open channels. The counter is intended for commercial accounting. Price: 45 600 rub.
The ultrasonic portable water meter AKRON-01 is used to determine the instantaneous value of the parameter in pressure sewer pipelines. Price: 41 000 rub.
