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White Plains, New York Stays on Top of Growth with Flo-Dar

Ideally located just 25 miles north of Manhattan, the City of White Plains, New York serves as the County Seat (Westchester County) and is best known as one of the top suburban office and retail centers in the state. An important financial asset to the state, White Plains generates approximately 1.3 million dollars in retail sales ranking it in 5th place for annual sales volume. Also known as one of New York's most desirable cities in which to live, White Plains boasts its nickname as "Tree City U.S.A.".

In the summer of 2003, the White Plains Public Works Department had a requirement to monitor the flow of several of the city's existing sanitary sewer lines. Flow data from the monitoring project would be used to determine existing flows as well as anticipating future flows from new development within the jurisdiction. In turn, the resulting flow analysis would aid city planners as they contemplate infrastructure upgrades. Brian Murphy, Second Deputy Commissioner for the City of White Plains, adds, "We were looking for flowmeters that were considered state-of-the art. We needed to monitor multiple lines including 12", 16" and 24" lines so we also needed a device that was highly portable." Through a direct contact with Marsh-McBirney sales personnel and their local representative, a meeting was set to discuss the features and benefits of the Flo-Dar Radar Velocity/Area Flowmeter.

The Marsh-McBirney Flo-Dar Family of flowmeters provides a revolutionary approach to open channel flow monitoring. Flo-Dar combines digital Doppler radar velocity sensing technology with ultrasonic pulse echo level sensing to remotely measure open channel flows. The Flo-Dar's "above-the-flow" sensor remotely measures open channel flow. When compared to flowmeters with submerged style sensors that can easily foul in the rugged sewer environment, the Flo-Dar offers attractive features unavailable from any other flowmeter manufacturer. Expenditures for increased maintenance and lost data can be completely eliminated with the use of Flo-Dar flowmeters.

Here's How It Works

Flo-Dar transmits a digital Doppler radar beam that interacts with the fluid and reflects back signals at a different frequency than that which was transmitted. These reflected signals are compared with the transmitted frequency. The resulting frequency shift provides an accurate measure of the velocity and the direction of the flow. Level is detected by ultrasonic pulse echo. Flow is then calculated based on the Continuity Equation:

Q = V x A, Where Q = Flow, V = Average Velocity and A = Area.

Murphy adds, "We liked the flowmeter because of the radar technology and the fact that it did not use submerged of electromechanical type sensors." Due to the portable monitoring guidelines of the project, a sensor mount that could be easily installed and removed was highly desirable. The City selected the portable Flo-Dar sensor mount for their tasks. The sensor and the sensor mounting frame assembly are secured in the proper position by a rugged, jack-bar assembly which can adapt to various size manholes and geometries. Because tension is used for fastening the mount, there is no need for manhole modification or hole drilling. The mount can be easily installed or removed within minutes.

Concerning the feature that Murphy finds most desirable about the meter, he comments, "The meter is very accurate."

The municipal government of White Plains has worked diligently to revitalize their City over the past decade. All signs point to continued growth and prosperity in the region. Future growth has and will be dependent upon accurate information provided to City planners from numerous sources. The Flo-Dar meter too has undertaken its assignment by continuing to provide accurate flow data on which sound decisions for municipal infrastructure upgrading can be accomplished.