Sprinkler systems application uniformity and energy conservation
Date
1995
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Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Experiments were conducted on single sprinklers (impacts,
rotators and fixed spray) and sprinkler irrigation systems (centre
pivot and linear move) to determine their energy usage, uniformity
coefficient (UC), distribution uniformity (DU), application
efficiency of the low-quarter (AELQ), application efficiency (AE),
and the effect of wind on these parameters. The single sprinklers
were operated at different pressures and heights.
For the single sprinklers the energy use increased with
increasing operating pressure at the sprinkler. There was a slight
increase in energy use with increase in height, although the energy
use increase was not significant. In some cases the energy use was
similar at different heights.
The uniformity coefficient for the single sprinklers decreased
with increasing overlapped spacings. The uc also exhibited random
variations with overlapped spacings. Pressure had a significant
effect on the uc for the impact and fixed spray sprinklers. The
effect of pressure on the rotator sprinklers was not significant.
Sprinkler height had an effect on the UC for the fixed spray and in
some cases the rotators.
Higher values of DU and AELQ can be achieved by the single
sprinklers if the uniformity coefficients are higher.
High average wind speeds distorted the distribution patterns
of the single sprinklers producing low values of uc, DU, AELQ and
application efficiency. Different uc, DU and AELQ values were
achieved for the same average wind speeds. In some cases higher
average wind speeds produced higher UC, DU and AELQ but lower
application efficiencies.
For the sprinkler irrigation systems the centre pivot system
produced higher uc, DU and AELQ compared to the linear move
irrigation systems. The Reinke linear move (RLM) irrigation system
produced good UC and DU compared to the Valley linear move (VLM)
irrigation system.
Energy use increased with increasing operating pressure and
flowrate at the inlet for the linear move and the centre pivot
irrigation systems. The RLM system used less energy compared to the
VLM irrigation system.
Wind affected the uc, DU, AELQ and application efficiency of
the sprinkler irrigation systems. Depending on the wind speed and
direction, the distribution patterns of the irrigation systems were
distorted to either produce a higher or a lower UC, DU, AELQ and
application efficiency. Shelter belts reduced the effect of wind on
the distribution patterns improving uc, DU, AELQ and application
efficiency.
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Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering
Program
Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering