Open Channel Flow Meter for Irrigation Canal Monitoring

Key Features

Ultrasonic Transit Time Measurement: Uses ultrasonic transit time technology to measure flow velocity across open channels and calculate discharge accurately.
Suitable for Different Channel Types: Supports trapezoidal channels, rectangular channels and non standard channel structures, making it suitable for irrigation districts, drainage systems and hydrological projects.
Wide Channel Coverage: Designed for different channel sizes, with measurement applications covering channels from 0.4 m to 20 m depending on model selection.
Surface Mounted and Embedded Installation: Offers both surface mounted and embedded transducer installation. Surface mounting simplifies large channel installation, while embedded mounting reduces impact on water flow in smaller channels.
Multiple Frequency Options: Provides optional transducer frequencies such as 1 MHz, 500 kHz and 200 kHz, allowing users to match the system with different channel widths and water conditions.
Streamlined Transducer Design: The transducer assembly adopts a streamlined structure to reduce flow disturbance and minimize debris attachment.
Easy Alignment and Installation: The transducer angle supports wide stepless adjustment, making alignment easier during installation.
Compact Control Box: The host control box size is 204 × 128 × 59 mm, making it easy to install inside different control cabinets.
Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Host: The main control box uses aluminum alloy with anodized surface treatment for better corrosion resistance.
Durable Stainless Steel Transducer Housing: The transducer housing is made of stainless steel, providing long service life and rust resistance in water environments.
Bluetooth and Remote Configuration: Parameters can be configured wirelessly through Bluetooth or remotely through an RTU.
RS485 Modbus Data Output: Standard RS485 Modbus protocol enables easy integration with RTUs, telemetry stations and IoT water monitoring platforms.

Product Description

1. Description

JW-UT-B(HJ05) Open Channel Flow Meter is an ultrasonic transit time flow measurement system designed for irrigation canals, drainage outlets, open channels and water resource monitoring projects. It supports surface mounted and embedded installation, multiple transducer frequencies, RS485 Modbus communication and high accuracy flow calculation for trapezoidal, rectangular and custom channel structures.

2. Product Overview

JW-UT-B(HJ05) Open Channel Flow Meter is a high performance ultrasonic transit time flow measurement system developed for accurate flow monitoring in irrigation canals, drainage outlets and open water channels. It uses paired ultrasonic transducers installed across the channel to measure the time difference of acoustic signals in upstream and downstream directions. Based on measured velocity, water level and channel geometry, the system calculates real time flow rate.

Unlike traditional open channel flow meters that may require major civil construction or channel reconstruction, this system can be installed on existing channel walls with limited structural modification. It is especially suitable for irrigation districts, large and medium main canals, branch canals, lateral canals, drainage outlets and water distribution measurement projects.

Parameter	Specification
Product Type	Ultrasonic transit time open channel flow meter
Technology Platform	HJ-UT Transit Time Platform 2.0 with SEA algorithm
Applicable Channel Shape	Rectangular trapezoidal and non standard channels
Channel Width Range	0.4 m to 20 m depending on model
Number of Acoustic Paths	Up to 20 customizable
Transducer Frequency	1 MHz 500 kHz 200 kHz depending on model
Velocity Range	Up to ±5 m/s depending on model
Velocity Resolution	0.001 m/s
Velocity Accuracy	±0.008 m/s when velocity ≤0.1 m/s
Velocity Accuracy	±2.5% when velocity is 0.1–5 m/s
Water Level Range	6 cm to 600 cm or 10 cm to 600 cm depending on model
Water Level Accuracy	±2 mm
Flow Accuracy	Typical ±5% and up to ±3% after calibration
Data Output	RS485 Modbus protocol
Working Temperature	-25°C to 80°C
Storage Temperature	-40°C to 80°C
Working Voltage	7–32 VDC
Average Current	Less than 40 mA at 12 VDC
Peak Current	Less than 200 mA
Protection Rating	IP68 for underwater parts
Host Box Size	204 × 128 × 59 mm
Water Level Sensor	Radar level meter standard configuration
Sedimentation Detection Module	Standard configuration

3. Application Scenarios

Irrigation Canal Flow Monitoring: Ideal for irrigation districts, main canals, branch canals and field canals where accurate water distribution and water use measurement are required.
Agricultural Water Management: Supports precision irrigation management by providing reliable flow data for water allocation, water saving irrigation and irrigation scheduling.
Drainage Outlet Monitoring: Can be used at drainage outlets to monitor discharge flow and support water environment supervision.
Open Channel Hydrology Monitoring: Suitable for hydrological stations, water resource monitoring points and river channel flow measurement.
Water Conservancy Projects: Applicable to canal automation, water diversion monitoring, irrigation modernization and smart water conservancy systems.
Municipal and Industrial Drainage: Can be used in open drainage channels, non pressurized outlets and industrial discharge channels where continuous flow monitoring is required.

4. Installation Methods

FAQ

Q

1. What is an open channel flow meter used for?

A

An open channel flow meter is used to measure flow velocity and calculate discharge in irrigation canals, drainage outlets, open channels, water conservancy projects and hydrological monitoring sites.
Q

2. How does this ultrasonic open channel flow meter work?

A

It uses ultrasonic transit time measurement. The system measures the acoustic signal time difference between upstream and downstream directions, then calculates water velocity and flow rate based on channel geometry and water level.
Q

3. What channel types can this flow meter support?

A

It can be used in rectangular channels, trapezoidal channels and non standard open channels depending on site conditions and model selection.
Q

4. Can JW-IoT integrate this open channel flow meter into a cloud platform?

A

Yes. JW-IoT can integrate the RS485 Modbus open channel flow meter with RTUs, telemetry gateways and cloud dashboards for remote water monitoring projects.
Q

5. What is the maximum channel width supported?

A

The product series can support open channel applications from approximately 0.4 m to 20 m, depending on model configuration and transducer selection.
Q

6. Does the system support embedded installation?

A

Yes. Embedded installation is available for selected models. It helps reduce water flow disturbance and minimizes the chance of debris attachment in smaller channels.
Q

7. What communication protocol does the product use?

A

The flow meter supports RS485 communication with Modbus protocol, which is widely used in industrial automation and IoT monitoring systems.
Q

8. Can JW-IoT provide a complete irrigation canal monitoring solution?

A

Yes. JW-IoT can provide a complete solution including open channel flow meters, radar level sensors, RTUs, solar power supply, control cabinets and cloud monitoring software.
Q

9. What is the flow accuracy of this product?

A

The typical flow accuracy is ±5%, and it can reach within ±3% after calibration under suitable site conditions.
Q

10. Is the underwater part waterproof?

A

Yes. The underwater part has an IP68 protection rating, making it suitable for long term operation in water.
Q

11. Can this flow meter be used for drainage outlet monitoring?

A

Yes. It is suitable for drainage outlets, irrigation return water monitoring, municipal drainage channels and environmental discharge supervision.