PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF FLOPPY SPRINKLERS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Prof. of Agric. Eng., Agric. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Suez Canal Univ., Egypt.

2 Prof. of Agric. Eng., Agric. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Ain Shams Univ, Egypt.

3 Assistant Prof. of Agric. Eng., Agric. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Suez Canal Univ., Egypt.

4 Demonstrator of Agric. Eng., Agric. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Suez Canal Univ., Egypt.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of two types of floppy sprinklers, original type and local type to determine optimum operating conditions that achieve high application efficiency. The coefficient of uniformity (CU), distribution uniformity (DU) and application efficiency of low quarter (AELQ) were evaluated under different levels of operating pressure and riser height. It was concluded that the operating conditions that achieved high coefficient of uniformity, distribution uniformity and application efficiency of low quarter were operating pressure of 200 kPa and riser height of 2.0 m for both types of floppy sprinklers. The corresponding values of CU, DU and AELQ were 70.65, 52.59 and 44.33 % for original and 66.67, 44.31 and 37.46 % for local, respectively. Also, to achieve high percentage of overlap simulation model was used, it appeared that the spacing between sprinklers should be higher than or equal 50 % of wetted diameter to avoid water lose and minimize irrigation system cost.

Main Subjects


Aboamera, M. and H. Sourell (2003). Characteristics of water distribution and irrigation intensity for floppy sprinklers. The 11th Annual Conference of Misr Society of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 15-16 Oct., 20(4): 937 - 948.
Abo-Ghobar, M. A. (2003). A study on selecting the proper applied water under different irrigation systems. Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 20(3): 320 - 327.
Allen, R. G. (1992). Catch 3D-software sprinkler-pattern overlap program, Version 4.60. Biological and Irrigation Engineering Department, Utah State University, Logan, Man. PP: 16.
Amer, K. H. (2006). Water distribution uniformity as affected by sprinkler performance. Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 23(1): 82 - 95.
ASAE Standard (2001). Procedure for sprinkler testing and performance reporting. ASAE, Standard S398.1 JAN01: 880 - 882.
Ascough, G. W. and G. A. Kiker (2002). The effect of irrigation uniformity on irrigation water requirements. Water SA, 28(2): 235 - 241.
Badr, A. E. (1992). Water distribution from different sprinkler arrangements and its effect on yield (under fixed sprinkler irrigation system). Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 9(3): 398 - 419.
Christiansen, J. E. (1942). Irrigation by sprinkler. Bulletin 670. California Agricultural Experiment Station. University of California. Berkeley, California.
Dukes, M. D. and C. Perry (2006). Uniformity testing of variable-rate center pivot irrigation control systems. Precision Agriculture, 7(3): 205 - 218. (Agricultural Engineering Abstract).
El-Ansary, M. Y.; A. M. El-Gindy; M. A. Awad and E. A. Wasif (2003). Evaluation of the alternate sets management of sprinkler irrigation. The 11th Annual Conference of Misr Society of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 15-16 Oct., 20(4): 236 - 250.
El-Sherbeni, A. M. (1994). Design of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in newly reclaimed soils. Ph. D. Thesis in Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt, PP: 141.
Golden Software (2000). Contouring and 3D-surface mapping for scientists and engineers Version 7. Golden Software,        Inc., www. goldensoftware. com.
Griffiths, B. A. K. and N. L. Lecler (2001). Irrigation system evaluation. Proceeding of the Annual Congress South African Sugar Technologists Association, 75: 58 - 67.
Heermann, D. F.; W. W. Wallender and G. M. Bos (1990). Irrigation efficiency and uniformity. (C. F. Hoffman, G. J., Howell, T. A., Solomon, K. H. (Eds.), Management of Farm Irrigation Systems. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. 125 - 149).
Ismail, E. E. (1995). Field performance of a simplified wheel-mounted sprinkler lateral. Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 12(2): 321 - 333.
Ismail, S. M. (1985). Water distribution under low pressure-center pivot sprinkler irrigation system. Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 2(4): 81 - 96.
ITRC (1991). Landscape water management principles, Version 1.01, Irrigation Training and Research Center, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, California: 140P. (C.f. El Awad, M. N.; E. G. Vis.; R. Kumar and S. Mitra (2003). Distribution uniformity from pop-up sprinklers and landscape water-saving. The 11th Annual Conference of Misr Society of Agricultural Engineering, Egypt, 15 - 16 Oct.: 181 - 194).
James, L. G. (1988). Principles of farm irrigation system design. New York: John Wiley and Sons. PP: 545.
Keller, J. and R. D. Bliesner (1990). Sprinkler and trickle irrigation. Van Nostrand, Reinhold, New York. PP: 643.
Melvyn, K. (1983). Sprinkler irrigation, equipment and practice. Batsford Academic and Educational, London. PP: 120.
Merriam, J. L. and J. Keller (1978). Farm irrigation system evaluation. A guide for management. Logan, Utah: Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering Department, Utah State University.
Schwankl, L. J.; D. A. Shaw; M. A. Harivandi and R. L. Snyder (2003). Evaluating turfgrass sprinkler irrigation system, Coop. Ext., University of California, Division Agricultural and Nat. Resources, Leaflet 21503: 18p.
Tarjuelo, J. M.; J. Montero; F. T. Honrubia; J. J. Ortiz and J. F. Ortega (1999). Analysis of uniformity of sprinkler irrigation in a semi-arid area. Agricultural Water Management, USA, 40: 315 - 331.