Flow Patterns at Right-Angled Lateral Intakes

The hydrodynamic behavior of approaching flow and the amount of sediment entry into right-angled lateral intakes in diversion dams were investigated using a laboratory channel by experimental measurement and observation. The velocity field upstream of the intake in the main channel and before it at the sluice gate was measured at different elevations of flow at different discharge rates of the river, intake and sluice gate. Velocity profiles were also measured from upstream to downstream for the intake and the amount of sediment entry into it. Analysis of the velocity data showed that discharge at the sluice gate strongly affected velocity profiles and the mechanism of sediment entry. All velocity profiles where the sluice was closed had an inflection point, where the flow direction changed, leading to a return velocity near the bed. The elevation of this point was a function of the intake discharge and approximately equal to the height of the entrance sill. Observation showed that sediment entered the intake in whirlpool vortices. The strength and frequency of the vortices depended on the intake and sluice gate discharges. Analysis of sedimentary data showed that the amount of sediment entering the intake increases with an increase in intake discharge. In addition, for any given intake discharge rate, an increase in the sluice gate discharge caused an increase in sediment entry into the intake.