Sensitivity of dripping tapes with continuous emitters to solid particle obstruction

• Grant number: 19/01929-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Angélica Alves Marques
• Grantee: Gabriela Dellangelica Carvalho de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the relevance of the use of localized irrigation for agriculture, it is important to approach the susceptibility to obstruction of dripper emitters, whose characteristics, such as geometry, facilitate clogging. The various types of emitters with their respective characteristics can cause several scenarios of obstruction, which causes in variations in the flow of the emitter and consequently lag of the efficiency of the system. The present work integrates the research that has been carried out in partnerships in INCT-EI and assists in a technical-scientific way the ISO standard in preparation. The methodology adopted in the project will be based on the methodology used by the French laboratory LERMI / IRSTEA, which has used the procedure of obstruction tests for approximately 40 years. Its objectives are to determine the sensitivity of the continuous emitters of two models of continuous dripping tapes with integrated emitters, of the type pellet (Turbotape and SilverDrip) to the obstruction caused by solid particles; ascertain whether the samples contribute to the repeatability of the test results; and to verify if the use of deionized water, daily correction of pH and chlorination will allow to minimize the effects of chemical and biological factors in the obstruction process and will allow to improve the repeatability of the test results. The experiments will be conducted in the Irrigation Material Testing Laboratory (LEMI) located in the Department of Engineering of Biosystems (LEB) of ESALQ/USP. For the assessment of sensitivity to drip tape obstruction, solid particles consisting of a mixture of sand, silt and clay will be used. There will be monitoring of the flow of the drippers considering the end of each day of the test, by measuring the mass. For the evaluation of the susceptibility of the emitters to the solid particle obstruction, the ratio of reduction of emitter flow as a function of the test time shall be considered. It will be considered as criterion the obstructed emitter that has a flow less than or equal to 75% in relation to the flow determined at the beginning of the test. For a group of drippers, it will be considered clogged when from 25% of the group drippers are clogged.