Abstract
The statistical process control applied in the irrigation systems allows the visualization of process to reduce wastage of inputs, such as water and energy quality, which contributes to assessing its proper functioning, and feasibility of implementation and operation. That is why it is necessary to evaluate the self-compensating emitters using saline water at different concentrations. This experiment was applied in the greenhouse, agricultural engineering academic unit, Federal University of Campina Grande. The treatments consisted of five salinity levels of irrigation water (ECwi) (0.6, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 dS m-1 at 25°C), set in pressure of 160 kPa during 15 irrigation trials for new emitters, with 350 h of operation. The use of statistical process control tool has shown promise in identifying emitters’ problems due to the use of lower quality water for irrigation. The inferior quality of water does not influence the flow and Christiansen uniformity coefficient of self-compensating emitters, but after 350 h of operation, there is need management operations and maintenance of the system to be made. The uniformity coefficient Christiansen (CUC) for new and used emitters above 90% was rated as excellent in all treatments saline. The Shewhart control charts allowed diagnosing of about 350 h of operation which is necessary for the maintenance of the irrigation system when operating with saline water. Key words: Quality engineering, Shewhart charts, electrical conductivity.
Highlights
Statistical process control is a tool in scientific experiments, used to assess product quality and can submit changes so as to generate information to improve it (Montgomery, 2009)
The Shewhart control charts allowed diagnosing of about 350 h of operation which is necessary for the maintenance of the irrigation system when operating with saline water
The aim of this study is to evaluate self-compensating emitters submitted to the use of different saline water concentrations through the application of statistical process control tools
Summary
Statistical process control is a tool in scientific experiments, used to assess product quality and can submit changes so as to generate information to improve it (Montgomery, 2009). This information helps to verify that the process is within an acceptable standard of quality (Werkema, 1995). One of the main tools of statistical control are the Shewhart charts that allow monitoring of the average and the variability of the evaluated data quality characteristics. In Brazil, there are few places that have enough structure to make a detailed assessment of irrigation systems in order to be able to carry out the improvement of such equipment, and it is necessary for the construction of test benches designed for laboratory testing in order to compare with the field conditions (Valnir Júnior et al, 2011)
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