Assessing whole-field sprinkler irrigation application uniformity

In order to assess whole-field sprinkler irrigation uniformity, an experiment was conducted to obtain water distribution profiles at 23 different pressures for each of five different sprinklers: Nelson R33, Nelson R33LP, Nelson R33 with road guard, Nelson R33LP with road guard, and Rainbird Mini Paw/LG-3. A mathematical model was developed to account for pressure variation throughout a fixed sprinkler system on a 10-ha field and to evaluate sprinkler irrigation uniformity for the whole field using interpolated water distribution profiles from the experimental data. The relationships between irrigation application uniformity and sprinkler pressure, sprinkler spacing, pressure variation, sprinkler type, and field topography were studied using the model. The results show that the coefficient of uniformity, CU, decreases rapidly when the pressure is below the low end of the manufacturer-recommended range; however, CU changes very little with pressure within the manufacturer-recommended range. The system application uniformity, CU_sys, is usually less when pressure variations at different locations in a field are considered, and a simple previously published equation to predict CU_sys is shown to closely approximate the CU from a more stringent calculation method. It was found that the impact of pressure variation (within the tested ranges) on application uniformity is less than that of the sprinkler spacing. Also, the effect of field topography on sprinkler application uniformity is relatively small for the cases tested herein.     

平移式喷灌机同步行走控制雨量分布仿真

通过单喷头雨量分布室内试验,获取雨量分布信息及出水轨迹信息.利用三维建模、粒子系统等虚拟现实技术,结合实际的雨量分布数据及出水轨迹,模拟出喷头喷洒水雾的三维动态模型.研究喷灌机各跨同步行走时前进方向喷灌雨量分布均匀性,实现前进速度的最优化.分析喷头配置间距和喷头高度对横向灌溉均匀度的影响,优化平移式喷灌机喷头配置.在进行单喷头雨量分布室内试验的基础上,建立了雨量分布仿真模型.仿真结果和现场试验表明：改变驱动电机的频率可以实现纵向的变量灌溉,横向的灌溉均匀度取决于喷头的型号和压力,田间与仿真试验得到的水分分布数据最大相对误差为3.39%,证明仿真模型的可信度.为平移式喷灌机同步行走控制条件下变量控制对灌溉效果的影响和优化研究提供了手段.     

组合方式对喷灌均匀度的影响研究

【目的】研究喷头不同组合方式对喷灌均匀度的影响,得到最佳的组合方式。【方法】根据FYRB471 型喷头在不同工作压力下间距1 m采样所得的无风喷洒降水强度,针对喷头分别呈正三角形、正方形、正六边形等组合方式,拟合出了喷头在不同工作压力及组合间距下的降水强度,采用克里斯琴森均匀系数计算了相应的喷灌均匀度。【结果】当工作压力一定时,不同组合方式下的喷灌均匀度都随喷头间距的增大而减小;当喷头间距一定时,组合均匀度与工作压力正相关。当间距小于5.5 m时,不同工作压力下3 种组合方式的均匀度相差不大;当间距大于5.5 m时,随着工作压力或者组合间距的增大,正三角形组合方式所提供的喷灌均匀度最优,正方形组合方式次之,正六边形组合方式最低。正三角形组合方式喷头间距变大时,喷灌均匀度降低;工作压力过大或间距过小时会增加成本,因此农业生产可兼顾考虑效率和成本选择喷头的组合方式以及工作压力,制定合理的喷灌方案。【结论】当组合间距介于5.5 m和8.5 m之间,工作压力介于200 kPa 与320 kPa 时,应考虑采用正三角形组合方式,此时的喷灌均匀度最高,达80%以上;当组合间距小于等于5.5 m时,不同工作压力下的均匀度基本相同,应考虑采用正六边形组合方式,单个喷灌设备覆盖范围最广,成本最低。     

射流式喷头水量分布动态仿真及试验

【目的】研究工作压力,喷头组合间距、组合斱式和旋转速度对射流式喷头及多喷头组合喷灌均匀性系数(CU)和分布均匀系数(DU)的影响。【斱法】采用不同工作条件下单喷头和多喷头组合喷灌水量分布的动态仿真代码,对射流式喷头开展了水力性能试验;研究了射流式喷头在不同工作压力及安装高度条件下对喷灌强度、水量分布的影响;建立了水量峰值强度与工作压力的回归关系式;模拟了单喷头在正斱形和三角形组合喷灌下的空间水量分布。【结果】喷头在1.5 m安装高度、100~300 kPa压力条件下,水量峰值集中在5 mm/h附近,标准偏差(STD)为0.23。喷头在100 kPa工作压力,安装高度为1.1、1.3 m的水量峰值强度分别可高达8.9、10.5mm/h。不同工作压力下的单喷头喷灌的DU和CU标准偏差分别为15.5%、9.3%,且DU对压力的变化相对更为敏感。【结论】在实际喷灌工程中正斱形组合喷灌的间距应小于8m,三角形组合喷头之间的间距应布置在8m附近,此时的喷灌均匀度最高,单个喷灌设备覆盖范围最广,成本最低。     

基于弹道理论有风条件下折射式喷头喷灌均匀度研究

为计算有风条件下折射式喷头水量分布及喷灌均匀度,以弹道轨迹理论为基础,依据风速分布模型,建立有风条件下折射式单喷头水量分布计算方法,采用该方法模拟出有风条件下Nelson D3000型喷头倒挂安装方式下水量分布特性,通过与实测资料进行对比,验证了模拟具有较高的准确度,可应用于有风条件下折射式喷头水量分布计算。在此基础上,选用4.76 mm(24号)喷嘴直径,模拟出不工况下单喷头水量分布,计算出组合情况下喷灌均匀度,分析了风速、风向、喷头间距、工作压力和安装高度5种因素对喷灌均匀度的影响,并对蒸发漂移损失进行了分析。结果表明:95%的置信区间下,喷头布置间距对喷灌均匀度的影响最显著,其次是安装高度和喷头工作压力,风速和风向对喷灌均匀度影响不显著。风速、喷头工作压力和安装高度都会对蒸发漂移损失产生影响,其中工作压力影响最大。当选用Nelson D3000型喷头在风速小于6 m/s的环境下喷灌时,应将喷头安装间距固定在2.13~3.04 m范围内。另外,该安装间距范围内,喷头安装高度和喷灌压力增大后,喷灌均匀度增大的效果不明显,因此应采用低压喷灌以降低喷灌系统运行成本;考虑到较高的喷头安装高度会产生较大的蒸发漂移损失,喷灌时还应适当降低喷头安装高度,以提高喷灌水分利用率。     

Wind effects on solid set sprinkler irrigation depth and yield of maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis>)

A field experiment was performed to study the effect of the space and time variability of water application on maize (Zea mays) yield when irrigated by a solid set sprinkler system. A solid set sprinkler irrigation layout, typical of the new irrigation developments in the Ebro basin of Spain, was considered. Analyses were performed (1) to study the variability of the water application depth in each irrigation event and in the seasonal irrigation and (2) to relate the spatial variability in crop yield to the variability of the applied irrigation and to the soil physical properties. The results of this research showed that a significant part of the variability in the Christiansen coefficient of uniformity (CU), and wind drift and evaporation losses were explained by the wind speed alone. Seasonal irrigation uniformity (CU of 88%) was higher than the average uniformity of the individual irrigation events (CU of 80%). The uniformity of soil water recharge was lower than the irrigation uniformity, and the relationship between both variables was statistically significant. Results indicated that grain yield variability was partly dictated by the water deficit resulting from the non-uniformity of water distribution during the crop season. The spatial variability of irrigation water depth when the wind speed was higher than 2 m s^–1 was correlated with the spatial variability of grain yield, indicating that a proper selection of the wind conditions is required in order to attain high yield in sprinkler-irrigated maize.     

不同工况对喷灌水量分布的影响

为了探究不同工况对射流式喷头喷灌水量的影响,通过对射流式喷头在不同组合间距和工作压力下的水量分布数据进行分析,拟合出了喷头在不同工作压力及组合间距下的降水强度,采用克里斯琴森均匀系数和分布均匀性系数计算了相应的喷灌均匀度.结果发现喷头组合间距在1.0R~1.4R变化时正方形组合喷灌的CU值随喷头间距的增大呈下降趋势,CU值均大于70%;1.0R和1.2R组合间距下正方形组合喷灌低值区域的占比比三角形组合高,而1.4R的组合间距则与上述相反;当压力由0.1 MPa升至0.3 MPa时三角形组合喷灌区域的灌水峰值随着压力的增大呈先减小后增大的趋势;在正方形组合形式下增大工作压力有利于提高喷洒区域内的均匀性;压力损失并不总是降低喷灌的均匀性,0.2~0.3 MPa压力下,10%的压力损失对喷头喷灌均匀性几乎没影响;射流式喷头1.4 m安装高度、0.25 MPa压力下宜采用1.4R间距的三角形组合.     

Cotton response to non-uniformity of conventional sprinkler irrigation

Sprinkler irrigation systems are characterized by some degree of non-uniformity. The effect of non-uniformity on crop yield has been modelled in different ways but experimental studies are scarce. An experiment was conducted comparing the effects of two levels of uniformity (mean Wilkox and Swailes' uniformity coefficients of 80% and 52%) at two levels of water supply (about 400 and 260 mm for the whole irrigation season) on cotton production. Final yield was not affected either by uniformity or by the amount of water supplied. Vegetative growth was higher in the full irrigation treatments. Maximum leaf area index did not differ statistically between uniformity treatments. The lack of differences was attributed to the curvilinear shape of the yield function and to the dampening of the variations in applied water in the soil, as the coefficient of variation in applied water was more than twice the coefficient of variation of infiltrated water. These results suggest that non-uniformity of conventional sprinkler irrigation has a lower impact on cotton crop performance than expected from previous simulation studies. Received: 1 March 1996     

Modeling crop yield as affected by uniformity of sprinkler irrigation system

The effect of sprinkler irrigation uniformity on crop yield is an important consideration for the design of sprinkler irrigation system. A model that relates yield response to evapotranspiration deficits at special growth stages to evaluate the impacts of uniformity on crop yield was developed from a crop water production function. The simulation results of the model showed that crop yield increased with increasing uniformity. Optimum irrigation amount and uniformity for the maximum net return were determined with the model. The optimum irrigation amount depends on irrigation uniformity and on economic factors, decreasing with the uniformity but increasing with the ratio of product price to water cost. The optimum uniformity increased with an increase of irrigation amount expressed by a ratio between gross and required irrigation amount, but approximated 90% when the ratio exceeded 0.85. Field experiments conducted to study the relationship between spatial distribution of soil moisture and sprinkler application uniformity demonstrated that the water in the soil was more uniformly distributed than that measured for the application at the soil surface.     

Can shelterbelts improve sprinkler irrigation performance under windy semi arid conditions?

Field experiments were performed to study the effect that wind shelterbelts has on irrigation uniformity of hand move sprinkler irrigation system located in northwest Kenya. Catch can tests were performed to evaluate the distribution of applied water using coefficient of uniformity and distribution uniformity for plots with shelterbelt and without shelterbelt scenarios. Three medium pressure twin nozzle sprinkler head types were tested to determine their water distribution uniformity at varying wind speed and working pressure and obtained results were statistically analysed. The analysis was used to ascertain the performance of the medium pressure sprinklers under varying wind conditions for the two scenarios. Results indicate that uniformity is improved by wind for wind speeds below 1.4?m/s. Analysis of data from sheltered and unsheltered plots showed a significant difference of uniformity parameters on sheltering with coefficient of uniformity for sheltered plots averaging 84?% compared to 74?% for unsheltered plots. Results indicate that the coefficient of uniformity values were higher than the distribution uniformity values although both had a strong linear relationship with a coefficient of determination above 0.96 in both scenarios. It is concluded that shelterbelts improve sprinkler irrigation performance under windy conditions.     

Effects of applied water and sprinkler irrigation uniformity on alfalfa growth and hay yield

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of applied water and sprinkler irrigation uniformity on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth and hay yield in a semi-arid region. Field experiments were carried out in 2006 in Varamin, Iran, on three plots of 25 m × 30 m. Each plot was subdivided into 25 subplots of 5 m × 6 m. Different irrigation depths and sprinkler water uniformities were obtained by various scenarios of sprinkler nozzle pressure. In each plot, applied water was measured at 250 points (125 points above and 125 points below canopy) and the soil water content of 40 cm deep below soil surface was monitored at 25 points, each in the center of a subplot, throughout the irrigation season. The results showed that sprinkler water and soil water content uniformity varied between 66-78 and 88-91%, respectively. The findings revealed that soil water content uniformity was around 20% higher than sprinkler water uniformity. The irrigation uniformity below the canopy was estimated to be 2.5% greater than above the canopy, and canopy-intercepted water could account for 11-15% of the total seasonal applied water. Evaluation showed that alfalfa leaf area index relies more heavily on farm water application uniformity than hay yield and crop height. The experimental results illustrated that water distribution in sprinkler irrigation systems has a direct effect on alfalfa growth, hay yield and water productivity such that the applied water reduction and the increased sprinkler water uniformity led to an increased alfalfa water productivity of 2.41 kg m⁻³.     

驱动板倾角对负压反馈喷头水力性能影响试验研究

为了探究射流脉冲喷头驱动板不同倾角及其对喷头水力性能的影响并找出水力性能最优驱动板倾角,采用正交试验法设计了6种不同倾角α(7°,10°,13°,16°,19°,22°)的驱动板,与副喷嘴整体加工实物,分别进行了在不同进口压力下的水力性能试验.试验采用多因素分析法,将喷头射程、喷灌均匀度、喷灌强度作为评价指标,对6组驱动板的试验结果进行分析.结果表明:在0.15~0.30 MPa的进口压力下,喷头射程(13.0~15.0 m)、进口流量(1.27~1.77 m³/h)、喷灌强度(2.38~2.51 mm/h)与驱动板倾角无关.随着驱动板倾角增大,副喷嘴喷洒水量向近处集中,喷灌均匀系数呈先增加后减小的趋势;当α为16°时,喷灌均匀系数最大,喷头的水力性能最优.     

水力驱动带状喷灌机喷头的优化设计

为了使水力驱动带状喷灌机喷洒均匀度高、受风影响小,能够在作物行间进行喷洒作业,本研究选取不同参数的喷头对其喷头流量、射程、条带宽度及喷灌强度进行试验对比分析,试验结果表明,喷头的喷灌效果与工作压力、喷孔大小、喷射仰角及叶轮之间均存在紧密联系。该结果能够为水力驱动带状喷灌系统的喷头选型及参数设计提供参考。     

基于PWM技术的平移式变量喷灌机喷头流量分配方法

大型平移式喷灌机采用脉冲宽度调制(Pulse width modulation,PWM)技术实现变量灌溉作业,因喷头间喷洒区域相互重叠,由地块管理区的设计处方值求解单喷头流量较为困难。首先根据Nelson R3000型单喷头喷洒特性,得到平移式喷灌机沿桁架方向的一维叠加水量分布特性,以及平移运动后的二维叠加水量分布特性,分析确定了由4个喷头重叠喷洒控制一个管理区,并得到喷头区域喷洒分配率,在此基础上提出了按处方值进行喷头流量分配的加权均分法和基于遗传算法(Genetic algorithm,GA)的分配法。通过管理区喷洒误差分析得出,当相邻处方值变化幅度不超过最大处方值的33%时,精度可以达到5%。为了弥补GA法导致喷洒均匀性下降的不足,将加权均分法和GA法组合应用,有效降低了处方值突变带来的喷洒误差,同时保证了处方值变化较小区域的喷洒均匀性。本文方法可以扩展到4个以上喷头重叠喷洒控制一个管理区的应用场合。     

Sprinkler droplet size distribution measured with an optical spectropluviometer

In solid set sprinkler irrigation systems, many factors have influence on water partitioning efficiency and uniformity. Drop size formation in the irrigation process is affected by some of these factors. Soil crustiness and damage to bare soil structure are problems associated with large drops. This study shows the results of measured drop size distributions in medium-sized sprinklers. An optical spectropluviometer (OSP) with infrared beam was used to measure drop size distributions. A variety of factors were checked: sprinkler type, nozzles, jet straightening vane and working pressure. The results showed that working pressure has the most influence on drop sizes; under low-pressure conditions, drops with a diameter of about 9 mm can be formed. The influence of the jet straightening vane and the types of nozzles and sprinklers has also been studied. A good similitude is obtained between the medium drop diameters measured and those simulated with the SIRIAS ballistic simulation model.     

Analysis of uniformity of sprinkle irrigation in a semi-arid area

One of the most appropriate sprinkler systems for arid or semi-arid areas – where a great deal of irrigating water is required – are the permanent set systems and the continuous-move laterals. To know the reality of water application in this type of areas, many field evaluations of solid set systems and centre pivot irrigation were conducted in Castilla-La Mancha region (Spain). The main factors affecting water application and evaporation and drift losses with these systems (pressure, wind speed, sprinkler type, etc.) were analysed. A set of performance guidelines and recommendations for the design and management of sprinkle irrigation is presented to attain the highest uniformity and efficiency in water application in semi-arid areas. To use working pressure as low as possible, but with sprinklers that produce a great deal of middle size water drops along with night irrigation for minimising evaporation and drift losses are important aspects.     

平地向坡地转换喷灌水量分布计算模型研究

针对坡地喷灌水量分布实测困难问题,以坡地喷头射程计算公式为基础,依据喷头射流方向总水量守恒原理,构建了喷灌水量分布由平地转换到坡地的计算模型,并通过试验验证了模型的正确性。利用该模型,分析了喷头布置方式、喷头间距、工作压力和坡度等对坡面喷灌水量分布的影响,结果表明,三角形布置有利于坡地单喷头水量分布的叠加,且其组合喷灌均匀度略高于方形布置;随着喷头间距的增大,组合喷灌均匀度呈下降趋势;喷头低压运行时,组合喷灌均匀度相对较低,不能满足喷灌均匀性的要求,随着喷头工作压力的增大,组合喷灌均匀度逐渐增大;在一定坡度范围内,不同坡度对水量分布和组合喷灌均匀度的影响较小。因此,在坡地喷灌系统设计时,若选用雨鸟LF1200型喷头,建议采用三角形布置,喷头间距宜为1.0~1.2倍平地喷头射程,喷头工作压力宜选用300 k Pa。     

Solid-set sprinklers irrigation of field boundaries: experiments and modeling

Numerous studies have analyzed the solid-set sprinkler irrigation system performance. However, the effect of field-boundaries irrigation has not been considered in the whole-field performance. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize two different solutions to irrigate field boundaries (full-circle sprinkler equipped with a deflecting plate, DP, and partial-circle sprinklers, PC); (2) to calibrate and validate a ballistic model to adequately simulate these solutions; and (3) to analyze the two different designs (DP or PC) from a whole-field perspective. Two types of experiments were designed. The first was carried out with an isolated sprinkler under no windy conditions to estimate drop size distribution parameters. The second was performed in a solid-set sprinkler layout under windy conditions to calibrate and validate the ballistic model. The experimental design allows the comparison of both solutions under equal technical and meteorological conditions. Comparisons between designs (DP or PC) were established for a whole-field area in terms of irrigation performance and crop yield. From a technical point of view, PC sprinklers perform better than DP sprinklers. From an economical point of view, the shape and orientation of the plot and the legal requirements of the irrigation system design (minimum distance of the sprinkler line to the border) have an important effect on the optimal solution to irrigate field boundaries.     

Effective irrigation uniformity as related to root zone depth

Summary In models used for relating the yield to irrigation uniformity it has been assumed that the spatial distribution of irrigation water, as measured at the soil surface, is indeed the water distribution at any depth throughout the root zone. In the present paper the distribution of infiltrated water within the soil bulk, as determined by an analytic solution of the two-dimensional unsaturated flow equation, did not conform to this assumption. A new alternative definition of irrigation uniformity is proposed under the assumption that water uptake by roots does not affect the flux distribution within the soil profile. In this analysis the spatial distribution of irrigation water flux at the soil surface, which is the upper boundary condition of the flow equation, is assumed to be a sine function. The solution to this problem indicates that there is a damping effect, which increases with soil depth, on the surface flux fluctuations. Furthermore, the actual irrigation uniformity at a given depth below the soil surface depends upon the initial uniformity at the surface and the distance between adjacent water sources. The closer the water sources are to each other, the shallower is the depth needed to damp the oscillations down to a certain level. This may explain why the actual uniformity of drip irrigation is high while the detailed distribution is very nonuniform and on the other hand, why the actual uniformity of sprinkler guns is low while the detailed actual distribution is close to uniform. Two uniformity coefficients are derived in this study: 1. A depth dependent coefficient which is made up of the damping factor that multiplies the flux fluctuations at the soil surface; 2. An effective uniformity coefficient, which is an average of the depth dependent coefficient over a part or the entire root zone. Different degrees of uniformity are expected when water is applied by different irrigation systems having similar uniformity coefficients at the soil surface, but dissimilar distances between the emitters. Assuming that crop yield depends to some extent on the uniformity of water depth actually available to the roots, the yields associated with such irrigation systems will probably also vary.     

不同水质膜下滴灌棉田盐分空间变异特征

为评价不同水质膜下滴灌棉田土壤盐分空间分布及变异性,采用EM38-MK2型电磁感应仪对微咸及淡水滴灌田块进行盐分调查。解译模型获得的土壤含盐质量比描述性统计特征表明,微咸水滴灌的积盐程度高于淡水滴灌,但其变异系数相对较小。采用GS+软件拟合最优半方差函数模型,微咸水处理为指数模型,淡水处理为高斯模型,均表现为强的空间相关性;微咸水处理变程大于淡水处理,增加了土壤盐分的空间相依性。Kriging空间插值及变异分析表明,淡水滴灌棉田土壤盐分微域及全域空间变异程度强于微咸水滴灌,二者均存在影响棉花出苗的盐斑。建议用水紧张时,可基于EM38-MK2型电磁感应仪的盐分调查结果,重点淋洗盐斑集中分布区域,以节水增产。