Measurement of the kinetic energy of rainfall simulated by different commercial sprinkler head

Abstract

The kinetic energy of simulated rainfall is one of the parameters used to study the effect produced on the soil or a given crop. About this theme, we aim to determine the applicability of three commercial sprinkler heads for use in rainfall simulators by verifying the kinetic energy of the generated rainfall. Using an experimental workbench, the sprinkler heads were positioned at heights of 1.1, 2.1, and 3.1 m under pressures of 50, 100, and 150 kPa, which, when combined, generated 27 treatments with six repetitions. Using a disdrometer, the values for intensity (mm h-1) and kinetic energy (J.m-2.h-1) were collected. Three equations from the literature were employed to calculate the kinetic energy from the precipitation intensity provided by the disdrometer, allowing their comparison with the kinetic energy values measured by the disdrometer. The kinetic energy results measured by the disdrometer differed from the values calculated using the equations. The sprinkler heads P1, P2, and P3 did not generate rain droplets with kinetic energy similar to that of natural rainfall for the same intensity, thus not being qualified for use in rainfall simulators.