Unidata Dataloggers & Product Range
Unidata specialises in the design, manufacture, supply and support of dataloggers, products and solutions for environmental monitoring and industrial measurement. Products and systems range from acquisition devices, to standalone and IP (Ethernet, cellular and satellite) connected dataloggers, through to web-based logging and analysis tools. The extensive range of products is typically available ex-stock to ensure a fast turnaround on orders. Unidata dataloggers and products can be configured to provide solutions for most environmental monitoring and industrial measurement requirements. Unidata and its partners pride themselves on finding solutions to their customers’ requirements so they are always pleased to discuss specific requirements and how Unidata products can meet them.
For convenience, we have provided Application notes for our products, and we have listed our all Products by Group
Agricultural
Environmental
Industrial
- Cell tower monitoring
- Geothermal power station monitoring
- High voltage transmission tower monitoring
- Industrial outflow monitoring
- Industrial tank level monitoring
- Oil & gas pipelines / pressure monitoring
- Oil Beam pump and esp pump monitoring
- Pipeline cathodic protection
- Ports and harbours monitoring
- Power utility remote recloser system
Product
Unidata Part Number
This is How We Do It
Water Flow Monitoring System
Unidata’s Starflow QSD Velocity, Depth and Temperature 6527 is ideal for smaller open channel and pipe measurements as it is a complete hydrographic data collection system. It operates in a wide range of water qualities from fresh streams to primary sewerage channels. It measures both forward and reverse flows, and is particularly useful at sites where a stable stage/ velocity relationship does not exist.
Starflow QSD measures water velocity, depth, flow and temperature, enabling you to do a complete stream study with a single instrument. For very small flow monitoring the Unidata tipping bucket flow gauge can be used 6506G/H.
Open channels, partly filled pipes, and natural streams have very complex velocity characteristics. Turbulence, waves, stream slope, bed and wall unevenness, rocks and debris, all combine to create an unpredictable velocity profile.
To account for these effects Starflow QSD analyses up to one thousand separate velocity measurements and statistically determines the mean velocity. This approach provides a good “average velocity” even under difficult conditions.
The Starlog V4 companion software allows a user to define the stream, channel or pipe profile, so that the velocity and depth readings can be converted to a true flow reading.
It will acquire instantaneous, maximum, minimum and average readings. Starflow QSD is equipped with the SDI-12 or MODBUS communications facility, a backup lithium battery, and an interface to a telemetry system, such as Neon. By connecting a rain gauge 6506C you can make a complete stormwater monitoring system.
Water Level Monitoring System
There are several different methods used to measure water level.
The measurement methods include:
1 – a still well or still pipe with a shaft encoder/float and wheel/beaded float line system
2 – a pressure sensor that is immersed in the stream or river
3 – the more complex pressure bubbler system that allows for a small open tube to be immersed into the stream or river with a gas pump or gas cylinder to inject small bubbles into the open tube and measure water depth by measuring the back pressure required to force bubbles out of the tube in the water
There are also emerging technologies such as radar and ultrasonic which can be used to measure water depth.
While there are many methods/technologies available, the most common and the most stable method is the shaft encoder float and wheel system. This method required a large well or a smaller pipe to be installed on the stream or river bank or on a bridge structure to provide a stable / not disturbed by flow or wind measurement environment for a small float, a float-line and a counterweight so the movement in stream/river level can be measured by the rotation of the shaft of a wheel. Typically the shaft rotation is measured very accurately by light or laser encoder, and the data is shown on the display and is recorded in the data logger within the instrument.
The Unidata 6541C Precision Water Level Instrument is a very accurate shaft encoder instrument, which has an LED display for the water level, as well as an internal data logger so water level readings can be recorded every 1, 5 or 10 minutes as required. When a Neon Remote Terminal or Module is added, the water level information can be transmitted over the internet to a central Neon server to allow authorities to view the data on the web in near real-time.
Surface Water and Groundwater Monitoring System
Surface water monitoring equipment measures surface water quality and quantity and transmits the information via cell phone or satellite to a central Neon server, where it can be analysed to make meaningful water management decisions.
Such systems may include instruments to measure water flow and water quality, such as 6537, water depth 6549A, and pH 6528C in small open channels and stormwater drains and channels.
Surface water movement may also be monitored into and out of small dams and ponds in agricultural areas. For large pipes and small open channels, ultrasonic velocity and depth meters can be used to measure occasional flows (during rain periods) and also test the water quality of occasional flows.
Groundwater depth is measured with a small diameter sensor deep in an observation borehole. Water depth can be measured with a 6549 pressure sensor lowered down the borehole and immersed in the water. This is called the hydrostatic depth method. Alternatively, a standard float-and-pulley sensor system with a small float and a pulley at the top of the borehole can also be used to measure depth 6541C.
The hydrostatic depth method is widely used as it is convenient to install, however, all pressure sensors have some drift which needs to be considered. The float and pulley method is less convenient, especially in narrow diameter boreholes of 100mm, but it is very accurate and is not subject to drift.
A Neon IP Data Logger/RTU/NRL needs to be added at the top of the bore and data recorded and collected manually, or the data can be telemetered to a central location on a regular, perhaps four-hourly basis.
