A Prototype for the Continuous and Cost-EffectiveMeasurement of River Discharge

AgendaIntroductionTheoretical considerationsPractical implementationTesting and resultsConclusions

Introduction

Project Context

General ways of measuring discharge

Manning’s method for discharge measurement

Manning’s formula

Where:Q – dischargen – Manning’s coefficient of rugosityA – area of the cross section of the riverR – hydraulic radiusS – free surface slope

ImplementationSystem architecture

Components choice (1)Nivopress NPK-4110 pressure

level sensor

Components choice (2)National Instruments Wireless

Sensor Network

Software application (1)Precomputation phase

Software application (2)NI LabVIEW

Software application (3)NI LabVIEW

Testing and results (1)Testing setup for a sensor wired

to the WSN node

Testing and results (2)Some values read from the sensors

Testing and results (3)Cost considerations

◦Gateway: ~1600€

◦WSN Nodes: 5 x ~400€

◦Depth sensors: 5 x ~500€

◦Other accessories: ~200€

----------------- ~ 6300€

Testing and Results (4)Setup and installation time

◦Low (< 1 day)

ConclusionsContinuous discharge

measurement based on slope-area method

Low costEasy to install and mantainEasy to configure remotely