Performance Testing of River Surveyor and Side Looking Acoustic Sensor - A Case Study Gupta R.P.1, Mrs. Bhonde K. G.2, Mrs. Khandagale H. R.2, Someshwara M.3 1Scientist ‘D’, CWPRS, Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, India 2Scientist B’, CWPRS, Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, India 3Research Assistant, CWPRS, Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, India Online Published on 01 November, 2023. Abstract Discharge measurement is of prime importance for management and distribution of water resources. Since decades current-meters are used for measurement of stream velocity. Nowadays instruments like River Surveyor or Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and Side Looking Acoustic Sensor for measuring the stream flow and profile is becoming very common. These instruments have higher edge in accuracy, consistency, reliability. Quantitative information on performance, validation and accuracy of these instruments in the field environment is rare. The objective of study is to ascertain the accuracy in speed measurement of these instruments with the standards. The River Surveyor RS- M9 specifically designed to measure the stream flow and the discharge. The ADCP transmit constant high frequency sound wave into the water that ricochet off particles suspended in the moving water and reflect back to the instrument with slightly lowered frequency due to the Doppler Effect. It measures water stream velocity covering total water column depth and also across complete cross section of the canal or river. The Side Looking Acoustic Sensor works on the similar acoustic principle. It is mounted on bridges, canal walls and river banks. It comprises of an acoustic velocity probe and a data collection and processing unit. The conventional rotating element current-meters are calibrated as per ISO 3455: 2007 and IS 13371: 2014 in a Current Meter Rating Trolley (CMRT). It is therefore not unusual to carry out the performance testing of these sophisticated instruments using the CMRT facility. The instruments under test are suspended at the rear side or at the central portion of the trolley by a rigid rod suspension. The sensor mounted on trolley is towed at a number of steady trolley speeds. The speed of the trolley and the corresponding velocity indicated by the sensor is recorded and the percentage deviation is calculated. Performance testing of the River Surveyor and the Side Looking Sensors has indicated that the maximum deviation by the sensor is within the specified accuracy 0.25% and 1.0% respectively. Periodical testing of these sensors is recommended to maintain precision and consistency in performance. Top Keywords Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, Current Meter Rating Trolley, Doppler Effect, River Surveyor, Side Looking Acoustic Sensor. Top |