THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL FOUNDATIONS FOR RESOURCE-EFFICIENT OPTIMIZATION OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION USING A LOW-PRESSURE DEFLECTOR NOZZLE UNDER ARID CLIMATE CONDITIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/wn632698Keywords:
low-pressure sprinkler irrigation; deflector nozzle; water droplets; evaporation losses; wind drift; irrigation uniformity; Christiansen coefficient; arid climate; resource-efficient irrigationAbstract
This study presents the theoretical and experimental foundations for the resource-efficient optimization of sprinkler irrigation using a low-pressure deflector nozzle under arid climate conditions. Particular attention is given to water droplet motion, droplet formation mechanisms, and evaporation losses, considering aerodynamic drag and the influence of external environmental factors.
Water droplet motion was described using differential equations based on Newton’s second law, while droplet diameter was evaluated as a function of outlet velocity, nozzle orifice diameter, surface tension, and fluid density. Evaporation and wind drift losses were analyzed as functions of air temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, and droplet size, allowing assessment of their combined impact on irrigation efficiency.
Theoretical predictions were validated through laboratory and laboratory–field experiments. The results confirmed stable water discharge within the low-pressure operating range and the formation of aerodynamically stable droplets with diameters of 1.0–1.4 mm. This droplet size range was identified as optimal for limiting evaporation and wind drift losses, with the relative reduction in evaporation exceeding 50% under optimal operating conditions. Irrigation uniformity was evaluated using the Christiansen coefficient, which reached high values, demonstrating compliance with agrotechnical requirements.
Overall, the obtained results indicate that the proposed low-pressure deflector sprinkler nozzle provides an effective water- and energy-efficient solution for reducing evaporation losses and improving the performance of sprinkler irrigation systems operating in arid and semi-arid regions.
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