Hall Effect Sensor-Based Low-Cost Flow Monitoring Device: Design and Validation

Monitoring and assessment of coastal and river velocities plays a key role in both scientific and industry applications. Field measurements are key for decision-making for resource management and protection, as well as for the validation of numerical models and climate change studies. In this article, a Hall effect sensor-based cost-effective novel device is proposed for measuring velocities and direction of near-bed currents and water-level. This device, called the Hydromast, provides instantaneous measurements in real-world conditions and is equipped with communication capabilities to allow near real-time data transfer and monitoring. The validation of the device is performed in real-world steady and unsteady flow conditions. Within the device measurement range, it is shown that the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the time-averaged flow measurements is under 0.1 m/s.