Prototypes and evaluation of emitters for subsurface drip irrigation

Author(s)

Wanderley de Jesus Souza

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2012-05-09

Examining board members

Tarlei Arriel Botrel; Rubens Duarte Coelho; Raimundo Leite Cruz; Fatima Conceicao Rezende; Leonor Rodriguez Sinobas

• Advisor: Tarlei Arriel Botrel

Abstract

Roots and soil particles intrusion in drippers installed in the subsurface soil leads to reduction of the water emission uniformity, and compromise the ideal conditions of operation and the lifetime of irrigation system. These facts motivated this research, being proposed prototypes of emitters whose physical and functional characteristics prevent the entry of roots and soil particles by suction into them, and allow the design flow. Four emitters models were developed: (i) A model that uses piston; (ii) B model composed by a membrane with Youngs modulus (YM) of 1000 kPa; (iii) C model composed by a membrane with YM of 1000 kPa plus a membrane protector;(iv) protector (tube) emitter system (D model) in which was used a commercial dripper to flow control. The A model study was stopped since it did not present a good performance. In the field stage models B, C, D and a commercial dripper E were installed. In the laboratory stage, emitters were evaluated in relation to the manufacturing coefficient of variation (CVF), the emission uniformity coefficient of water (EUC) and the flow rate versus pressure curve. After that, the emitters were installed in pots with and without sugar cane for periodic evaluation considering the potential to prevent the entry of roots and soil particles into the emitter. Relative flow (QR), variation coefficient of relative flow (CVQR), EUC and flow disturbance (DQ) were analyzed. Equations that describe the behavior of C model emitters membrane were developed. The results obtained with the Equation to estimating the minimum pressure were close to the measured data in laboratory. B and C emitter´s model showed the higher values of CVF and CVQR, and the lower values of EUC. After third evaluation period, reduction in QR for E model was observed due to clogging by root. Among the emitters built in the laboratory, C model showed better performance in relation to variation of data flow in lateral line, with values grouped between the first and third quartile. After 3 months (E model) and 18 months (D model) of operation in the field, the presence of soil and roots was observed, while B and C models showed the best results to avoid the entry of root and soil into the emitter. C model was recommended for detailed studies in relation to the membrane which can be used. The emitter that uses membrane plus protector was suitable to prevent entry of root and soil into them needing to studies about it membrane and a system which its possible to control the flow rate. The Equations proposed for C model can be used in: studies to improve the prototype; estimation of the minimum operation pressure; changing in the membrane diameter; and, to estimate the emitter flow. Keywords: Drip irrigation; Subsurface irrigation; Root intrusion; Technological Innovation; Prototype of emitters (AU)