Study on reduction of scale formation in drip irrigation nozzle using natural coagulation. (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pavithran, R.; Suchithra, S.; Prabhu, T.; Pradeep, G.
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 66:Part 3(2022)
• Page Start: 1337
• Page End: 1342
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: Drip irrigation -- Clogging -- Natural coagulants -- Algae -- Hardness; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.05.145
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Abstract: Agricultural irrigation is India's most water-intensive industry, utilizing nearly 80% of the country's available water. Agriculture, which is the world's largest user of freshwater, accounts for more than 70% of total freshwater use. Automatic timers or manual operations are available, and systems can save up to 90% of water. Spread a layer coarse mulch of 3- inch, such as shredded bark or wood chips, on the soil surface top prevent evaporation when utilizing drip watering. Water availability and index quality are the two most important factors affecting agriculture. The aging of drip irrigation systems owing to emitter blockage is the most significant maintenance issue in micro- irrigation, and this issue exacerbated in subterranean irrigation systems. Clogging is one of the major problems in the drip irrigation system, which affects the system's effectiveness and, as a result, may have serious financial ramifications in terms of system operation, maintenance, and the ultimate objective of sustainable crop production. Sand particles, which commonly found in surface water, are the most common physical causes of drip irrigation clogging. Other suspended solids could clog the emitter's opening if they are too big to pass through. When water with high biological activity utilized for irrigation, clogging from algae and bacteria is prevalent, and it exacerbated when iron, manganese, and sulphide are present. Larger aggregates of silt-sized particles can grow under certain conditions, causing the blockage. Calcium, magnesium, and iron are the most common elements that might cause drip irrigation to clog, with calcium and magnesium carbonate being the most important and prevalent precipitate. High concentration of water with these elements and a pH range of above acidic range could potentially cause drip irrigation to clog. A sedimentation tank model with tube settlers, built at a pilot scale. When compared to traditional sedimentation tanks, the detention time reduced to as little as 20 min. Turbidity reduced by 70–80 percent on average.