Economic Viability of Canal Flow

Abstract

If the flow in a pipeline is maintained by creating a pressure head by pumping, it is called a pumping main. On the other hand, the flow in a canal is maintained through an elevation difference. Being gravity sustained, open-channel flow is preferred in comparison to pipe flow that is sustained by pumping. Furthermore, in the absence of moving parts, open-channel flow has greater reliability. For a gently sloping topography, the gravitational system involves large canal sections. In comparison to a pumping main such a small sloped canal may be uneconomical. A review of the literature has indicated that there is no guideline available for adoption of a canal for such a flat terrain. In this investigation, the optimal cost function of pumping main has been compared with the cost of various canal section shapes to find a criterion for adoption of canal flow.