Penstock Flow Measurement Test

Penstock Flow Measurement Test BC Hydro Lajoie

Lajoie Dam and Powerhouse, about 300 kms from Vancouver, is part of BC Hydro’s Bridge River system of hydroelectric generation which starts at Downton Reservoir north of Pemberton and finishes at Seton Dam & Powerhouse – and the Fraser River – near Lillooet.

A 2.74 m (9 foot) diameter penstock (pipe) is installed in an underground tunnel with only 30 inches (76 cm) clearance for access at the measuring location which is 50 m (165 ft) away from a convenient computer location.

Power plant engineers and hydro technical specialists required an accurate flow measurement for plant equipment testing and hydrology studies. Cascadia Instrumentation, with HydroVision GmbH, Kaufbeuren, Germany, supplied and installed a temporary four path ( 8 sensor) ultrasonic transit time flow system with powerful sensors clamped to the outside of the penstock.

As part of the plant test, penstock flow and bypass flows were discharged at the same time. (Watch the video below).

Established in 2000, Cascadia Instrumentation Inc. is a manufacturer’s representative and distributor of high-quality instrumentation products for the industrial and commercial sectors. We serve a wide range of industries, including Manufacturing, Water & Waste Treatment and Hydropower. Cascadia also serves District/Thermal Energy and Process industries including Pulp & Paper mills, Ore Processing and Chemical plants and Gas Processing. We have exclusive representation agreements with leading instrumentation manufacturers located in Canada, the USA, Switzerland and Germany.