System and method for depth-based flow metering

Abstract

A system and method for measuring or for estimating flow or flowrate of a fluid, including wastewater inflow or infiltration, using non-contact depth-based flow measurement, including: receiving a depth sensor signal from an ultrasonic depth sensor positionable over a manhole channel above an outgoing pipe's crown; receiving a temperature signal from a temperature sensor positionable within the manhole channel; receiving one or more data input signals; calculating a distance to a surface of the fluid based on the received depth sensor signal; and determining a depth of the fluid in the manhole channel based on the calculated distance. Flow velocity may be calculated using Manning's equation or the Hazen-Williams equation, with flow rate subsequently determined using the continuity equation. Alternatively, flow velocity and flow rate may be estimated using a machine learning model trained on simulated or historical time-series data of flow rate, flow velocity, and flow depth, along with pipe attributes, to generate real-time flow estimates based on current and prior flow depth measurements.

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