Urban Pipeline

High-Density Sensing Network for Urban Drainage Pipeline Monitoring

Q: Does the velocity coefficient of a Doppler radar flowmeter need field calibration? How is a gauging-based calibration performed?

Yes. Radar measures surface velocity at a point; converting it to cross-sectional mean velocity requires a coefficient K, theoretically in the 0.85–0.95 range. HZ-KSLF ships with the COSP model pre-loaded with a dynamic K relationship for standard sections (rectangular/trapezoidal), so regular lined canals can go straight into service. Natural rivers, compound sections and channels with unusual roughness, however, must be field-calibrated before commissioning — otherwise systematic error can exceed 10%. Standard calibration procedure: Pick a stable mid-flow period and gauge the section with a current meter (rotor or acoustic, multi-vertical multi-point method per GB 50179), recording HZ-KSLF surface velocity and level simultaneously. Cover at least low, mid and high stages with three or more gaugings each. Divide the measured mean velocity by the radar surface velocity and regress the K-value curve for the section (how K varies with stage). Write the section geometry (bed width, side slopes, roughness) and the K curve into the COSP model with the configuration software, or push it remotely through an EC32/EC60 series RTU. Run one or two verification gaugings afterwards; flow deviation should converge within ±5%. Key metering stations targeting ±2–3% need denser calibration. Recalibration cycle: quarterly during the first hydrological year, then once before each flood season once K proves stable. Re-calibrate immediately whenever the section scours or silts, lining is damaged, or new structures are built upstream or downstream. Gauging records can be exported over the RTU's Modbus/4G channel for hydrological review and archiving. For more details, visit our product pages or contact our technical team.

Q: Can a Doppler radar flowmeter be installed under a bridge or inside a box culvert? What space and clearance limits apply?

Yes, but the two scenarios impose very different constraints and must be handled separately. Bridge-mounted measurement is the classic non-contact installation. The HZ-KSLF sensor is fixed to the parapet or a cantilever bracket with the beam aimed vertically at the water surface; the clearance from sensor to water must stay within 0.5–15 m. Three things to watch: first, the beam footprint has to land on the straight approach reach upstream of the bridge, clear of pier wakes — the zone 3–5 pier-widths downstream of a pier is turbulently disturbed and unusable as a measuring point. Second, on steel bridges with noticeable deck vibration, the bracket needs damping, otherwise wind-induced shake couples into the velocity signal. Third, power and telemetry: bridges rarely have mains supply, so the standard kit is a solar panel plus battery, with 4G backhaul and an EC32 series RTU doing acquisition and forwarding. Box culverts and closed conduits turn on radar line-of-sight. Inside there is no GPS, no light and often less than 1 m of headroom. The HZ-KSLF still works at low clearance (minimum mounting height about 0.5 m), provided you confirm: the conduit runs partly full — if it flows full, switch to an LGF-PA66 magnetic flow meter for pressurised metering; there is a mounting platform and access hatch in the crown; and the sensor sits on a straight reach at least two conduit-diameters inside the portal where the velocity profile is settled. 4G signal is weak inside culverts, so run an external antenna to the portal, or choose an EC60 series RTU with NB-IoT for extra link budget. For both scenarios we recommend one manual gauging at commissioning to calibrate the section coefficient into the COSP model before the site goes live. For more details, visit our product pages or contact our technical team.

Deploy a high-density non-contact sensing network across urban drainage pipelines for real-time water level, flow rate, and velocity monitoring — enabling flood early warning, CSO control, and smart water management.

Overview

Summary

Key Advantages

高密度感知：每500-800米部署一个监测节点，实现排水管网全覆盖监测

非接触式多参数同步采集：水位、流量、流速、水质四参同步获取

无线低功耗广域网：NB-IoT/4G传输，设备续航3年以上

智能预警平台：自动识别溢流、内涝风险，提前15分钟预警

快速部署：单节点2小时完成安装调试，无需停水截流

模块化扩展：按需增加监测点位，即插即用

Challenges

传统排水监测点位稀疏，关键管段缺乏实时数据支撑
暴雨期间水位/流速变化剧烈，单点传感器容易漏报或迟报
有线部署成本高、施工周期长，管网改造阻力大
多源数据分散，缺乏统一的感知网络管理平台

Results

管网监测覆盖率从不足30%提升至85%以上
暴雨内涝预警响应时间缩短至15分钟以内
合流制溢流(CSO)事件减少40%-60%
非接触传感+无线传输使部署成本降低30%-50%
设备免维护运行周期达3年以上

Solution Details

High-Density Sensing Network for Urban Drainage Pipeline Monitoring

Urban drainage pipelines are critical infrastructure for flood control, yet traditional monitoring schemes suffer from sparse sensor placement and delayed data. This solution deploys a high-density non-contact sensing network using multi-band Doppler radar flowmeters and visual fusion radar water level gauges at key drainage nodes, enabling real-time monitoring of water level, flow rate, velocity, and water quality — providing reliable data for urban flood warning, CSO control, and smart water management.

Key Features of the High-Density Sensing Network

High-Density Coverage: Monitoring nodes deployed every 500-800 meters, achieving full coverage of the drainage network.
Non-Contact Multi-Parameter Acquisition: Simultaneous measurement of water level, flow rate, velocity, and water quality.
Wireless Low-Power Wide-Area Network: NB-IoT/4G transmission with device battery life exceeding 3 years.
Intelligent Early Warning Platform: Automatically identifies overflow and waterlogging risks, providing 15-minute advance warnings.
Rapid Deployment: Single node installation and commissioning within 2 hours, no need for water shutdown or flow interception.
Modular Expansion: Monitoring points can be added on demand with plug-and-play functionality.

Technical Specifications and Performance Data

500-800m

Node Spacing

Parameters Measured

3+ Years

Battery Life

15 min

Early Warning Lead Time

2 hrs

Installation per Node

NB-IoT/4G

Communication Protocol

Application Scenarios for Urban Drainage Monitoring

The high-density sensing network is designed for critical urban drainage applications, including real-time flood warning systems, combined sewer overflow (CSO) control, and smart water management platforms. By providing continuous, accurate data from dense monitoring nodes, it enables proactive decision-making and reduces the risk of urban flooding and environmental pollution.