Abstract
The growth in agriculture production is possible with wastewater utilization using the advanced technology of Drip Irrigation System (DIS). Drip irrigation is negatively affected by emitter clogging which entails reduced emitter discharge and irrigation system efficiency. The role of acid and chlorine contact time in emitter recovery with treated effluent is crucial. A combination of phosphoric acid (30,20 and 10 minutes) and sodium hypochlorite contact times (30,25 and 20 minutes) was used to study the recovery of in-line labyrinth drippers clogged with Treated Effluent (TE). A 1.2 ml/L of phosphoric acid and 20 mg/l of sodium hypochlorite was injected singly using a venturi dosing system. Nine (9) laterals with clogged emitters were implemented for treatment and the recovery discharge rates were measured for 5 minutes and characterized. Physicochemical and biological water analyses were carried out to determine parameters triggering clogging and the effect on recovery. The results showed that the chemical treatments had a significant effect on clog removal and recovered the discharge rates by 99.89 % of the initial flow at acid and chlorine contact times of 30 minutes each. This also had a relatively major effect alleviating emitter clogging from a discharge ratio variation (Dra) value of 33.50% to 123.23%. The recovery Dra values in each contact time with the chemicals were deemed effective (Dra≥ 75%). This was an indication that clogging in this study was mainly due to the chemical precipitation of Fe, Ca2+ and pH of the wastewater. The acid dissolved the mineral precipitates and chlorine disintegrated the organic matter built-ups. ANOVA tests for the acid and the chlorine contact time indicated that there were no statistically significant differences at p<=0.05 on the effect of the average flow. This could be indicative of the sole effect of the phosphoric acid and sodium hypochlorite on the different clog type target. The chemical treatments recovery on CV, Uc and Dra could address the constraints in DIS and provide sustainable practice guidelines for the reduction of clogging, more beneficial because it can improve the system’s irrigation efficiency with the utilization of TE
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