Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the energy efficiency of a center pivot irrigation system operating in a terrain of variable topography. Values of Pumping Energy Efficiency (PEE), Supply Energy Efficiency (SEE), Global Energy Efficiency (GEE) and Specific Energy (Es in kWh m-3) computed at 18 different angular positions of the lateral line were used as energy efficiency indicators. An ultrasonic flow meter, digital pressure transducers and a power quality analyzer were used in order to evaluate hydraulic (total system flow-Q and total dynamic head-TDH) and electrical parameters (active electrical power - AEP) of the center pivot pumping unit that were required for evaluating the selected energy efficiency indictors. Topographic elevations of the water source, the pumping unit and of the center lateral line were also determined. For the center pivot lateral line, it was necessary to determine, at the 18 angular positions considered, the altitude of the track of each center pivot support tower. Results indicated that currently, even after more than 10000h of use, the center pivot system operates with satisfactory energy efficiency, as indicated by an average GEE value equal to 42.5%, that is classified as “good”. Statistical analysis indicated that the topographic disposition of the center pivot lateral line, as characterized by a uphill or downhill disposition, resulted on different PEE, SEE and GEE values, while the average Es value (0.42 kWh m-3) was not affected by the lateral line disposition.
Highlights
In the near future due to water and energy constraints, production costs in agricultural areas tend to increase, and with this there will be the need to explore new technologies and methodologies for the management of irrigation systems (Evans & King, 2012).In Brazil, the use of center pivot has been widely diffused on agricultural irrigated areas due to several advantages that this equipment provides in relation to other types of irrigation system
The aim of this study was to evaluate the energy efficiency use of a center pivot irrigation system that operates in a terrain of varied topography by analyzing the behavior of different energy efficiency indicators (PEE, Supply Energy Efficiency (SEE), Global Energy Efficiency (GEE), Es) that were adapted for this type of pressurized irrigation system
(1) where, GEE(α) - global energy efficiency referring to the angular position (α),%; Pumping Energy Efficiency (PEE)(α) - pu mping energy efficiency referring to the angular position (α), decimal, SEE(α) - supply energy efficiency referring to the angular position (α), decimal
Summary
In the near future due to water and energy constraints, production costs in agricultural areas tend to increase, and with this there will be the need to explore new technologies and methodologies for the management of irrigation systems (Evans & King, 2012). This represents an increase of 43.3% in relat ion to the 2006 center pivot irrigated area in Brazil (Gu imaraes & Landau, 2016) In this context of irrigated agriculture expansion and need of water and energy efficiency monitoring, different energy efficiency indicators were proposed (Rodríguez Díaz et al, 2011; Córcoles et al, 2010). For the specific case of center pivot irrigation systems in Brazil, Cezar-de-Lima et al (2008) and Schons et al (2012) used a specific normalized energy consumption index that is expressed in kWh.mm−1.ha−1.100m−1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the energy efficiency use of a center pivot irrigation system that operates in a terrain of varied topography by analyzing the behavior of different energy efficiency indicators (PEE, SEE, GEE, Es) that were adapted for this type of pressurized irrigation system
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