SIMULATION OF THE ENERGY GRADIENT OF THE LATERAL LINE WITH MICRO-SPRINKLERS

Abstract

Irrigation is characterized as a technology that is frequently presenting innovations, capable of providing high levels of system performance. Localized irrigation, by irrigating only the area occupied by plants, brings benefits in relation to other irrigation methods, such as, for example, in water savings, due to less application. Thus, the objective of the present work was to simulate the profile of the pressure and flow distribution along the lateral line of three microsprinkler type emitters. The design of the project was carried out from mathematical simulations for three microsprinklers. For the simulation of the pressure profile, the sizing model proposed by Wu and Gitlin was adopted, being calculated the flow of the emitters, the total flow of the lateral line, the kinematic viscosity of the water, the pressure drop, the correction factor, the head loss in the section and the unit head loss. In addition, Christiansen's Uniformity Coefficient (CUC), Distribution Uniformity Coefficient (CUD), Statistical Uniformity Coefficient (CUE) and Manufacturing Variation Coefficient (CVf) were determined. The pressure and flow variation of the three microsprinklers exerted a direct influence on the uniformity of water application along the lateral line, resulting in values ​​of "x" in the range of 0.506 to 0.515, and these discharge coefficients can be classified as fully turbulent. All CUC, CUD and CUE were rated “excellent”. The CV_f, for the three microsprinklers, was considered as "good", thus not influencing their hydraulic performance.