The Palmer-Bowlus flume takes its name from its inventors, Harold Palmer and Fred Bowlus. The flume was developed for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Department in the mid-1930's. The flume was specifically designed to be a simple and effective wastewater flow-measuring device. The flume is essentially a restriction in the channel and is sized according to the width of the flume (typically, but not always, the width of the pipe it is connected to).

For new construction the 4D+1" style is preferable due to the integral approach section. The 2D+1" style is more common in retrofit constructions where space is a concern, although problems can occur in that the head measurement is made upstream from the flume itself.

Unlike the 4D+1" and 2D+1" styles, the Insert style does not have inlet or outlet flanges and is intended to fit into existing pipe.

If you would like additional information, pricing, or assistance in sizing and specifying a flume, please fill out and submit our flume application form.