Real Local Losses Estimation for On-Line Emitters Using Empirical and Numerical Procedures

Abstract

This paper presents a procedure based on a lateral, where the flow rate of all the emitters and the pressure every 10 m were measured. Our goal was to obtain a general formula for directly calculating the local losses of on-line emitters as a function of the number of emitters, the average emitter discharge, and the ratio between the protrusion area and the pipe cross-sectional area. A total friction factor, including the local losses and the Blasius friction factor, was obtained as well. Both approximations accurately predict the local and total losses for the experimental data obtained in an irrigation loop system placed in the Rural Engineering Laboratory. Finally, an estimation of these local losses using a computational fluid dynamics model was carried out by the writers. Our numerical approach accurately predicts the local losses and allows the use of this technique to obtain a better estimation of the local turbulence originated by the emitter’s connection.