Clogging of Different Emitters in Using Yellow River Water for Dripping Irrigation

Abstract

【Objective】 Yellow River is muddy and dripping irrigation using it could clog the emitters. The purpose of this paper is to study experimentally how a change in interior structure of the emitter could alleviate the clogging. 【Method】 We investigated six labyrinth channel emitters with different inlet structures and types in the experiment; water flow and occurrence of clogging in each of them were compared and analyzed. 【Result】 Emitter type and its interior structure have a significant impact on emitter clogging (P<0.05). Among the six emitters we studied (E1~E6), the compensated cylindrical emitter (E4) without the interior boss structure has the fastest flow decline rate and the most serious clogging, while the non-compensated cylindrical emitter (E6) with an interior boss structure has the slowest flow decline rate and least clogging. The interior boss structure can effectively slow down deposition of sediment particles at the inlet of the channel, reducing flow decline rate and clogging as a result. Compared with E5 emitter that has the best anti-clogging for those without the interior boss structure, the flow in E6 emitter with the interior boss structure is increased by 14.81%, and the clogging rate is reduced by 46.63%. 【Conclusion】 The non-compensated cylindrical emitter with an intake interior boss structure is most effective for reducing emitter clogging in drip irrigation using Yellow River water.

Keywords

• yellow river water
• drip irrigation
• plugging
• inlet structure