Ultrasonic Open Channel Flowmeter | Parshall Flume & Weir Transmitter | SUL815
The SUL815 Ultrasonic Open Channel Flowmeter is an all-in-one flow monitoring solution engineered specifically for municipal effluent, wastewater discharge, and environmental compliance monitoring. Designed to work seamlessly with standard primary measuring structures—including Parshall flumes, triangular (V-notch) weirs, and rectangular weirs—the SUL815 calculates instantaneous liquid flow rates and cumulative volume without touching the fluid.
Featuring a wall-mounted host with a 3-inch LCD display and a remote IP65 ultrasonic sensor, it converts water head height into precise volumetric flow values (L/s up to m³/s). It is the ideal, low-maintenance choice for industrial wastewater discharge tracking and environmental reporting.
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Key Highlights:
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Flume & Weir Compatibility: Pre-configured for Parshall flumes, triangular/V-notch weirs, rectangular weirs, and custom channels.
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Non-Contact Level-to-Flow Calculation: Ultrasonic sound waves measure head height to calculate flow without fouling or clogging.
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Comprehensive Totalizer Functions: Tracks instantaneous flow rates and stores hourly, daily, monthly, and annual flow totals.
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Flexible Data Export: Features USB data export, MiniSD card logging, and optional micro-printer support.
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Industrial Signal Outputs: Standard 4-20mA analog output, RS485 Modbus communication, and up to 4 relay outputs.
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Description
Reliable Effluent Monitoring for Standardized Hydraulic Channels
Accurate discharge measurement in open channels requires translating liquid depth into volumetric flow using specific hydraulic head-loss formulas. The SUL815 Open Channel Flowmeter automates this process by combining non-contact ultrasonic level sensing with integrated hydraulic formulas.
By positioning the ultrasonic transducer above a primary device (such as a Parshall flume or V-notch weir), the SUL815 continuously tracks liquid height. Its internal signal processor applies the exact mathematical relationship for that channel geometry to calculate real-time flow rates from 10 L/s up to 100 m3/s.
Built for Environmental Compliance & Data Integrity
Environmental regulations often require facilities to maintain verifiable records of effluent discharge. The SUL815 is equipped with comprehensive historical logging capabilities, allowing operators to browse hourly, daily, monthly, and annual traffic records directly on the 3-inch LCD screen or export the logs via USB/MiniSD card for compliance reporting.
Primary Applications
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Municipal Wastewater Treatment: Effluent discharge totalizing, inlet flow monitoring, and storm overflow tracking.
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Industrial Wastewater Outfalls: Environmental compliance monitoring for manufacturing plants, chemical sites, and food processing facilities.
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Agricultural & Irrigation Canals: Water volume allocation in standardized open channels, flumes, and weir gates.
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Water Resource Hydrology: Discharge metering in open channels, settling basins, and stormwater runoffs.
Features
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Pre-Programmed Hydraulic Formulas: Built-in algorithms for triangular weirs, rectangular weirs, equal-width weirs, and Parshall flumes simplify field commissioning.
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Non-Contact Ultrasonic Measurement: Suspended sensor eliminates risk of probe corrosion, solids buildup, or debris wrapping in dirty effluent streams.
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Comprehensive Historical Logging: Rapidly browse hourly, daily, monthly, and annual flow logs directly on the host display.
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Advanced Signal Suppression: Digital filtering, echo recognition, and manual fixed-interference suppression eliminate false head readings caused by channel wall turbulence.
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Multiple Parameter Display: 3-inch backlit LCD simultaneously displays liquid head height, instantaneous flow rate, totalized volume, and relay status.
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Versatile Connectivity Options: Standard 1-way or 2-way 4-20mA outputs, 4-way alarm relays, RS485 serial communication, plus optional wireless telemetry (GPRS/4G/WiFi/Bluetooth).
Specification
| Parameter | Technical Specification |
| Model |
SUL815 Ultrasonic Open Channel Flowmeter |
| Measurement Method |
Non-contact ultrasonic head level to flow conversion |
| Compatible Primary Devices |
Triangular weir, rectangular weir, equal width weir, Parshall flume |
| Instantaneous Flow Range |
10 L/s to 100 m3/s (determined by weir/flume geometry) |
| Cumulative Flow Counter |
0 to 999,999 (auto-rollover counter) |
| Flow Accuracy |
±5% (dependent on flume installation accuracy) |
| Level Measurement Range |
0 to 40 meters (blind zone: 0.06m to 2m) |
| Host Display & Keypad |
3-inch LCD screen with 18-key tactile keyboard |
| Protection Rating |
Host/Enclosure: IP65 | Sensor Probe: ABS (IP65/IP68) |
| Power Supply |
AC 85–380V or DC 11–24V (Power consumption: 5W) |
| Cable Length |
10m shielded cable (custom lengths available) |
| Signal Outputs |
• 1-way / 2-way 4-20mA analog output
• RS485 serial port
• 4-way editable relays |
| Data Export / Storage |
USB output, MiniSD card acquisition, optional micro-printer |
FAQ
Q1: Do I need a primary measuring device (flume or weir) to use the SUL815?
Yes. To calculate volumetric flow in an open channel using the ultrasonic liquid level method, the system relies on a standardized primary hydraulic structure—such as a Parshall flume, triangular (V-notch) weir, or rectangular weir—where the water height directly correlates to flow rate.
Q2: How does the SUL815 store flow history for environmental reporting?
The SUL815 features built-in data logging that automatically records hourly, daily, monthly, and annual flow totals. You can review these logs on the 3-inch screen or export the data directly to a computer via USB or MiniSD card.
Q3: What is the difference between the SUL815 and the SUL807 level meter?
While both use non-contact ultrasonic sensors, the SUL807 is designed for continuous level and volume tracking in tanks, sumps, and storage vessels. The SUL815 includes specialized open-channel hydraulic firmware to convert liquid head measurements into true discharge flow rates (L/s up to m³/s) for flumes and weirs.
Q4: What if my open channel is unlined, irregular, or lacks a flume/weir?
For unlined channels, natural streams, or partially filled pipes without a flume, a Doppler area-velocity meter (like our SPDV200F) is recommended, as it measures both stream velocity and water depth directly.
