Operation Of Irrigation Systems Research Articles

Optimal management of a multisector standalone direct pumping photovoltaic irrigation system

Standalone direct pumping PV irrigation systems are a special type of PV system in which water is not lifted to a tank but, instead, is pumped to the irrigation system to satisfy the crop water needs. The operation of these PV irrigation systems requires efficient new operation rules in order to maximize the energy use efficiency as the PV energy must be used instantaneously. In this work, we introduce a new multisector approach based on the simultaneous operation of several irrigation sectors according to the incoming energy. An innovative analytical model was implemented in order to optimize the operation of a multisector PV irrigation system. The proposed model was evaluated by applying it to a case study. The results of said study showed that simultaneous operation reduced the cost of the PV plant since it required a lower number of PV modules (lower Peak power) and it also outperformed the individual operation scenario in terms of energy use efficiency as 18.4% of the potential PV energy was effectively delivered to the irrigation sectors (only 15.4% for individual operation). The design of the irrigation system was also affected by the adopted operation strategy. Lower nominal flowrate of the emitters and higher irrigation time per sector were preferable in simultaneous operation than in the case of individual operation.

Hydraulic performance and parameter optimisation of a microporous ceramic emitter using computational fluid dynamics, artificial neural network and multi-objective genetic algorithm

As the core of an irrigation system, microporous ceramic emitters (MPCEs) are closely related to the design, operation, and management of underground irrigation systems. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), an artificial neural network (ANN), and a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) were used to investigate the hydraulic performance of an MPCE and conduct parameter optimisation. A CFD software package was used to analyse the influence of the working parameters, structural parameters, and material properties on the flow characteristics of MPCE. Subsequently, an ANN and MOGA were used to optimise fabrication cost, flow rate, and flow index of the emitter. The results showed that a decrease in the bottom thickness or wall thickness of the MPCE increased the flow index of the emitter and the sensitivity of the flowrate to changes in pressure. Low working pressure was conducive to maintaining the active irrigation characteristic of the MPCE but the flowrate decreased. For crops with low water requirement, these conditions are ideal. The flow in the MPCE microchannel was mainly affected by the viscous resistance, whereas the inertial resistance only had an effect when the flow velocity was large. For field applications, the parameters can be optimised in the range obtained by the MOGA optimisation depending on the requirements of crop water demand, irrigation quality, and fabrication cost to achieve optimal irrigation performance. The results of this study provide references for the standardised fabrication of MPCEs.

Artificial intelligence approach to estimate discharge of drip tape irrigation based on temperature and pressure

One of the effective factors to ensure the desirable operation of drip irrigation systems is the uniform emitter discharge, which is affected by operating pressure and temperature. Accurate estimation of this parameter is crucial for optimal irrigation system management and operation. In this research, the emitter outflow discharge was simulated through artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches under a wide range of temperature (13−53 °C) and operating pressures (0–240 kPa) variations. The applied AI models included artificial neural networks (ANN), neuro-fuzzy sub-clustering (NF-SC), neuro-fuzzy c-Means clustering (NF-FCM), and least square support vector machine (LS-SVM). The input parameters matrix consisted of operating pressure, water temperature, discharge coefficient, pressure exponent and nominal discharge, while the ratio of measured discharge to nominal discharge (modified coefficient, M) was the output of the models. The applied models were assessed through the robust k-fold testing data scanning mode. The 5-agent Global Performance Indicator (GPI) was used for the final reliable ranking. The results showed that all the applied AI models with an average mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.8% had acceptable accuracy for estimating the modified M coefficient. According to the GPI, the LS-SVM model had the lowest error, followed by the NF-SC model with a slight difference.

Irrigation systems of urban landscapes of the south of the European part of Russia: problems and perspective

The paper discusses the necessity to apply the innovative irrigation technology when creating artificial landscapes in the South of the European part of Russia. The artificial green areas of the Rostov agglomeration significantly differ from the traditional steppe plant associations. They are presented, as a rule, by tree plantings or grassy introduced species which are used to create the city microclimate and also for protection from the eastern winds. Unfortunately climatic conditions and increasing anthropogenic load don‘t provide the stable rooting and development of plants without additional moistening, despite the Chernozem high agronomic value. The process of the soil cover replanting of its central part and the phenologically old trees replacing is actively under way. This process should be accompanied by compliance with the requirements for enhanced, both in frequency and volume, irrigation of young trees. But the use of automatic and semi-automatic irrigation systems is associated with the absence of a regulatory framework for the design, installation, and further operation of irrigation systems under the conditions of the Russian Federation. This issue requires the solving with the direct participation of specialists from various fields, both theorists and construction practitioners, land reclamation specialists, soil scientists, landscape designers.

Experimental Study of the Effectiveness of a Combined Closure of the End Gate Pipeline Valve

Abstract One of the ways to ensure a reliable operation of irrigation systems is to protect them from water hammer (hydraulic shock) damage that occurs when starting or stopping a pumping station. This can be achieved by creating conditions in which a water hammer will not occur in the pressure pipeline as a result of closing the end gate valve (EGV). The aim of the present study was to investigate processes occurring in the pipeline during a linear closure of the EGV, during a closure with one break point and during an intermittent closure, as well as to verify the effectiveness of a combined end gate valve closure of the pipeline. Based on experimental data and calculations, the article recommends a linear closure of the EGV with one break point.

Automatic Irrigation Based on Soil Moisture for Vegetable Crops

Improving irrigation efficiency can contribute greatly to reducing production costs of vegetables, making the industry more competitive and sustainable. Through proper irrigation, average vegetable yields can be maintained (or increased) while minimizing environmental impacts caused by excess applied water and subsequent agrichemical leaching. Recent technological advances have made soil water sensors available for efficient and automatic operation of irrigation systems. Automatic soil water sensor-based irrigation seeks to maintain a desired soil water range in the root zone that is optimal for plant growth. This document is AE354, one of a series of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 2005. 
 AE354/AE354: Automatic Irrigation Based on Soil Moisture for Vegetable Crops (ufl.edu)

Sensitivity Indicator for Pressurized Irrigation Distribution Systems

Providing adequate pressure at the hydrant is an issue of great importance in the operation of pressurized irrigation distribution systems (PIDS). The hydraulic performance of these systems can be quantified by selected performance indicators to describe the performance of an irrigation system with regard to the objectives set for that system. Several indicators have been developed and used so far for the performance analysis of pressurized irrigation systems. However, none of them provides a comprehensive definition of the sensitivity of operating hydrants to the variation in the upstream discharge. The objective of this study is to develop an indicator that can quantify the sensitivity of a hydrant to the changes occurring upstream of an irrigation system. A new definition of the indicator is proposed, by considering the changes in the hydrant reliability to the changes in the upstream discharge. In other words, the sensitivity of a hydrant is simulated on the basis of the variation of its reliability to satisfy the required pressure for adequate on-farm service. This concept was applied to a case study in Italy and it showed the importance of the sensitivity indicator as defined herein in the decision-making process for proper operation of pressurized irrigation systems.

Mechanical and technological support the efficiency of arid farming

The priority direction of agricultural production in the arid zone of the south of Central Siberia is animal husbandry, which predetermines the need for intensive development of feed production and, in particular, the production of rough and succulent forage. One of the most important factors of the stabilized and guaranteed crop production is irrigated land cultivation.Research purposeTo prove the efficiency of machine technology of surface irrigation in the arid conditions of the south of Central Siberia.Materials and methodsThe authors have determined technical parameters of the main elements of the temporary irrigation network (non-inclined hollow and a water-retaining roller) during the formation of surface irrigation areas by the results of time-length observations made in accordance with the requirements of the testing station. The technological process of forming irrigated plots with specified technical parameters was carried out according to the operational and technological evaluation of the machine technology testing. The evaluation was carried out using a computer-based portable information-measuring system IP238MR to determine the traction indicators of the machine, carried out by the STO AIST 1.3-2007.Results and discussionThe authors have proposed a technology of surface irrigation over wide long strips with level furrows, recommended for irrigation of grain, forage crops, natural hay making areas and pastures. A set of technical means has been developed for the construction and operation of surface irrigation systems in wide long lanes with level furrows. The tools can be coupled with an МТZ tractor of 1.4 tons. Comprehensive use of machines in the construction and operation of irrigation systems for surface irrigation as compared with existing machines in land reclamation construction allows to improve the quality of work and labor productivity by 3-5 times. Surface irrigation technology and a set of machines have passed state tests at the Siberian State Zonal Machine Testing Station and are recommended to be included in the basic agricultural technology.ConclusionsIt has been found that the integrated use of new machines L-1.5, V-3.0 and VP-4.0 in the construction and operation of irrigation systems allows reducing the operating costs and construction time of irrigated plots by 1.8 times, increase the yield of green mass of oats by 17.2 percent while reducing the cost of cultivation by 10.1 percent. Grain production can be increased by 1.9 times.

Assessment of Flat Emitter Anti-Clogging Performance in Drip Irrigation Systems

Abstract. Selecting drip emitters with excellent anti-clogging performance (AP) is vital to ensure the safe operation of drip irrigation systems. However, previous researchers have not reached a consensus on emitter selection and evaluation standards based on emitter AP. In this study, eight types of flat emitters were selected as experimental objects, and high-sand surface water was used as the water source to test the AP of emitters with three experimental treatments. The emitter total coefficient of evaluation index (ETEI) was applied to analyze the relative differences in AP of the emitters, and then the mechanism leading to those differences was explored. The results indicated that there were significant variations in AP among different emitters, and four evaluation indices had good consistency in evaluating emitter AP. Small-discharge emitters showed good anti-clogging ability. Emitters with large cross-section average velocity (v), not just with high discharge (Q), should be identified as having excellent AP. The combination of emitter structural parameters, mainly width-depth ratio (W/D), relative radius (A1/2/L), and flow path length (L), made significant differences in the v of emitters under the same operating conditions. Higher v caused a significant linear decrease in key clogging components, solid particles (SD), CaCO3 and MgCO3 precipitates (C-MP), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and microbial activity (MA), of the clogging material inside the emitter. This study provides a reference for the selection and development of emitter products with high-efficiency AP. Keywords: Anti-clogging ability, Emitter discharge, Evaluation indices, Micro-irrigation, Uniformity.

Influence of operating pressure on emitter anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation system with high-sediment water

Reducing emitters operating pressure has been widely acknowledged as one of the most effective approach to reduce drip irrigation system maintenance and operation costs. However, utilization of low-quality water, such as high-sediment water, reclaimed water, and brackish water, inevitably increases the emitters clogging risks. To examine the influence of different pressure levels on emitter clogging behavior and regulation path, an in-situ accelerated experiment of emitter clogging with high-sediment water was conducted with five operating pressure levels. The experiment was conducted from July 15, 2016, to October 15, 2016 with a total running time of 720 h. The results showed that emitter anti-clogging capability was gradually decreased as the operating pressure decreased below 100 to 60 kPa and was significant decreased as the operating pressure decreased below 60 to 40 kPa or lower. Therefore, the operating pressure should be kept above 60 kPa to maintain the favorable emitter anti-clogging performance. The change of the operating pressure directly and indirectly influenced the formation of clogging substance in the emitters. In addition, at different operating pressures, the anti-clogging performance parameters discharge ratio variation (Dra), coefficient of uniformity (CU), statistical uniformity coefficient (Us), emitter discharge variation (qvar), clogging substance within emitters (CSE) and clogging substance within laterals (CSL) were linearly correlated with anti-clogging performance parameters (Dra, CU, Us, qvar, CSE, CSL) of 100 kPa. Therefore, basing the Dra, CU, Us, qvar, CSE and CSL at 100 kPa, a simple linear model was established to predict anti-clogging performance parameters at the different pressures e.g. 20, 40, 60 and 80 kPa. This study could provide technical support for the application and promotion of the drip irrigation system with high-sediment water.

Impact of climate change on the water requirements of the Bounamoussa perimeter, North-East of Algeria

AbstractThe objective of this work is to determine the effects of climate change on the water needs of crops in the Bounamoussa perimeter, which is one of the large irrigation systems in the North-East of Algeria in order to predict a diagnosis of its operation. This region covers an area of 16,500 ha and is specialized in vegetable production.The climatic trend of recent years in the study area is characterized by increasingly severe drought conditions that have compromised agricultural production at this perimeter. In this study, the results of the climatic parameters projected to 2050 and 2080 under the Climate Wizard program were used in the CropWat 8.0 program for estimating the future water requirements of crops, taking into account the three Scenarios (B1, A1B, A2) of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) 4.5 program has also been used to generate future climatic parameters (temperatures and rains) to be compared with those of the climate wizard. The results obtained in 2050 and 2080 show a trend towards increasing temperatures and a fall in rainfall for all models and that the water requirements will be multiplied by 3 to 5 times the current needs. This situation will cause an imbalance in the operation of perimeter irrigation systems. Among the measures of adaptation to this situation in the first place is the change of the date of planting after calibration of the two models for all the cultures of the perimeter.

Prediction of flow characteristics and risk assessment of deep percolation by ceramic emitters in loam

Emitter discharge is one of the most important parameters considered in the design, operation, and management of subsurface irrigation systems. The emitter discharge, if properly chosen, can eliminate surface runoff and minimize deep percolation water losses. The discharge from a ceramic emitter depends on the working pressure head and the ceramic hydraulic conductivity, so it is important to determine the optimal working levels for these two design parameters. In this work, it is confirmed that the HYDRUS-2D predictions of the cumulative infiltration and the horizontal wetting front are in good agreement with experimental results, and that the Hydrus-2D model can be used to accurately simulate soil water movement under subsurface irrigation with ceramic emitters. Additional simulations with HYDRUS-2D were used to study the effects of various design parameters (i.e. working pressure head and ceramic hydraulic conductivity) on emitter discharges in soils, deep percolation and soil wetting fronts. Results show that both the working pressure head and ceramic hydraulic conductivity have significant impact on the discharge of emitters in soil, and the deep percolation water losses. The emitter discharge in soil decreases with time and finally stabilizes. When the working pressure head and ceramic hydraulic conductivity are higher, the stable discharge (emitter discharge in soil at 120 h) is greater, and this situation may increase the risk of deep percolation. The relationship between the working pressure head, ceramic hydraulic conductivity, and stable discharge is developed as a power function. To satisfy the water requirements of trees with an active layer of root systems down to about 0–100 cm in the Loess Plateau in China and reduce the risk of deep percolation, it is recommended that the working pressure head should be 20–50 cm of water and the ceramic hydraulic conductivity should be between 0.1 and 1.9 cm h−1.

A field study on hydraulic performance of drip irrigation system for optimization of operating pressure

Drip irrigation technology will undoubtedly plays an important role in the future of the agriculture. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of drip system with five operating pressure viz. I1 (0.4 kg/ cm2), I2 (0.6 kg/cm2), I3 (0.8 kg/cm2), I4 (1.0 kg/cm2), I5 (1.2 kg/cm2). It was observed that the average discharge of drippers was 1.08 lph, 1.24 lph, 1.50 lph, 1.62 lph and 1.74 lph and emission uniformity was 80.55%, 84.89%, 86.30%, 88.88% and 90.80 in each treatment respectively and coefficient of variation was observed 0.12, 0.13, 0.12, 0.11, and 0.09. Flow component was found 0.450 and the value of k was 0.572 while R2 was observed 0.986.Based on the result it can be concluded that the operation of drip irrigation system at 1.2 kg/cm2 pressure head, gives the maximum efficiency in respect of discharge, emission uniformity and coefficient of variation.

Rainfall partitioning into throughfall, stemflow and interception loss by maize canopy on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China

Rainfall or sprinkler irrigation water partitioning by the crop canopy is an important way of affecting the effective use of water by maize. To investigate the rainfall partitioning by maize canopy at different growth stages as well as its influencing factors on the water-limited Loess Plateau of China, the gross rainfall, throughfall and stemflow were measured during the growing seasons of 2015 and 2016. The effects of rainfall characteristics (gross rainfall and rainfall intensity) and canopy structure (leaf area index) on rainfall partitioning were further evaluated, based on which multiple regression models were developed to predict the partitioned rainfall components. Results showed that the measured throughfall, stemflow and derived interception loss accounted for 65.2%, 22.3% and 12.5% of cumulative gross rainfall during the whole growing season of maize, respectively. Specifically, the relative throughfall declined from 83.2% at the seedling stage to 52.2% at the tasseling stage, and then increased to 58.6% at the maturity stage. The relative stemflow and interception loss increased from 13.6% and 3.1% at the seedling stage to 30.6% and 17.3% at the tasseling stage, and then declined to 25.0% and 16.5% at the maturity stage, respectively. Smaller rainfall events contributed to a lower percentage of throughfall and stemflow but higher percentage of canopy interception loss. The percentages of stemflow and throughfall showed an increased tendency with increasing gross rainfall and rainfall intensity, while the increasing leaf area index resulted in a decrease in the relative throughfall but an increase in relative stemflow and interception loss. Generally, the amount of throughfall, stemflow and canopy interception loss can be predicted reasonably well using the developed multiple linear regression models, but the proportions of partitioned rainfall components generally had a relatively lower accuracy using the developed nonlinear models, especially for relative stemflow. This study can help to determine more precise irrigation schedule by the water balance method and give implications for the operation of sprinkler irrigation systems for higher irrigation water use efficiency.

Coordination of pumped-storage unit and irrigation system with intermittent wind generation for intelligent energy management of an agricultural microgrid

Abstract This paper presents a new coordination framework to optimize the joint operation of pumped-storage unit, irrigation system and intermittent wind power generation in an agricultural microgrid. The microgrid is an agricultural complex connected to the medium voltage network. This complex contains a farm needing water to be irrigated every day. The irrigation system has two large scale reservoirs located in different levels. These reservoirs have been planned to act as pumped-storage unit reservoirs. The microgrid contains different electrical loads such as industrial livestock, agricultural products packaging factory, drip irrigation system, lighting and other small loads. The microgrid is connected to the upstream network at the grid supply point (GSP) and supplies loads with power from the upstream network and a wind power unit located in the farm. The proposed framework optimizes day-ahead (DA) scheduling of power exchange with the upstream network, pumped-storage unit and irrigation system based on forecasted wind power, microgrid load demand and water needed for irrigation in a market environment. The two-point estimate method (TPEM) is implemented to model the uncertainties associated with wind power and wholesale market prices. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed framework is evaluated on several case studies.

Environmental and economic foundations of system optimization of operational, technological and construction parameters of rice irrigation systems

The paper substantiates the necessity to carry out system optimization of operational, technological and construction parameters of water regulation in the operation of rice irrigation systems, lays out methodological approaches and results. This research formulates approaches to the selection of project criteria and conditions of economic and environmental optimization during the construction of complex optimization models in the projects of their reconstruction and operation taking into account climatic management strategies of such objects. The proposed set of measures as a result of system optimization is focused on improving the natural and amelioration state of rice irrigation systems, improving their technological and technical parameters, introducing of water and resource saving regimes of rice irrigation and related rice crop rotations.

Increasing Crop Productivity in an Eco‐Friendly Manner by Improving Sprinkler and Micro‐Irrigation Design and Management: A Review of 20 Years' Research at the IWHR, China

AbstractThe use of sprinkler and micro‐irrigation has progressed continuously from being a novelty that was employed by researchers to being widely accepted, efficient methods of irrigation for many crops during the past 30–40 years in China. This paper reviews the studies that have been conducted on sprinkler and micro‐irrigation at the WatSave Lab in the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR) over the past two decades. These studies address several areas of concern and provide partial answers to the questions raised during the application and extension of these relatively new irrigation technologies. With the aim of exploring the consumption of sprinkled water that is intercepted by the canopy, the amount of water interception and the losses were quantified, confirming that sprinkler irrigation is an efficient irrigation method. The standards of sprinkler and micro‐irrigation uniformity were studied with respect to many aspects of water and solute dynamics, environmental effects, and crop yield and quality under a wide range of environments from arid to subhumid climates for typical wheat, cotton, maize and vegetable crops. As a result, new target uniformity values have been recommended. Other studies on water, solute and bacterial transport from normal water and sewage effluent can also be useful in the design, operation, maintenance and management of irrigation systems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Irrigation System Performance Evaluation of Sub Irrigation Area of Jejeruk Kiri Tambran Using Public Works Minister’s Regulation No. 32 in 2007 and Fuzzy Set Theory

Sub irrigation area of Jejeruk Kiri Tambran, physically, has performance degradation due to aging buildings and nature factors. Therefore, performance evaluation of irrigation system is needed as a part of the asset management of irrigation to determine the functioning of the irrigate ion asset. The procedures of performance evaluation refers to Public Works Minister’s Regulation No. 32 in 2007, concerning to Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation System, which is consist of 6 main aspects, there are physical infrastructure, productivity of planting, supporting facilities of operation and maintenance, personnel organization, documentation, and water user farmer association. This kind of evaluation contains fuzziness and uncertainty in valuing based on observation dan human opinion. Hence, a method that can accommodate the problem is needed, one of which is fuzzy set theory method. The aim of this research is comparing performance evaluation of irrigation system by using manual method of Bengawan Solo River Basin Agency which is refers to Public Works Minister’s Regulation No. 32 in 2007 and fuzzy set theory. The result performance value of irrigation system of sub Jejeruk Kiri Tambran is 77,69% based on manual method and 73,45% based on fuzzy method. By t-test, there is no significant diference between both methods.

Learning from Experiences of Ancient Subak Schemes for Participatory Irrigation System Management in Bali

AbstractSubak irrigation systems have been well known since the ninth century. These systems are managed by a Subak association based on the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, as a faith of Balinese Hindus based on harmony between human beings and God, harmony between people and nature, and harmony between people and people. This philosophy underlies every activity of Subak farmers. To manage Subak systems, Subak associations and farmers pursue the Subak regulation called Awig‐awig Subak as the togetherness consensus that was originally announced by the King and nowadays by the Head of the Regency. As associations for irrigation system management, Subak associations have been already naturally adapted to participatory irrigation management (PIM). This paper has been prepared based on a literature study to portray centuries of experience with ancient Subak irrigation system management, in which PIM was represented by three linked aspects: PIM in irrigation system operation and maintenance; PIM with respect to socioculture and economics of agriculture; PIM in light of a religious community. While several of these systems are now under stress, the results of this literature study may hopefully contribute to sustainable PIM for the operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes in Bali during the forthcoming decades. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Xây dựng phương pháp quản lý nước tưới hiệu quả cho vùng canh tác lúa khu vực cánh đồng mẫu lớn huyện Ngã Năm, tỉnh Sóc Trăng

The study aimed at identifying effective practices for irrigation management in rice cultivation in a study area of Nga Nam district, Soc Trang province. The modeling method (an agent-based model) was used to simulate the interaction among water supply capability of canal system, operation of irrigation system, water demand of rice, and human factors involved in the process of water resources management. The results showed that there are several unnecessary steps in irrigation decision, leading to ineffective irrigation management. The irrigated farming pratices such as maintaining the water depths and storing rainfall help to reduce the cost and adapt to saline intrusion in the future.