Impact of total suspended solids on the emitters clogging of localized high-frequency irrigation

Abstract

In this pilot study was evaluated the impact of total suspended solids, TSS, take in to account the obstruction on emitters of localized high frequency irrigation technologies, LHFI, using as a treatment upflow gravel filter with synthetic blankets (UGF-Sb) to improve the water quality to the LHFI. The effluent from such treatment systems fed four types of LHFI: lyn, pressure compensate, microjet and drip tape, to assess the impact of TSS on each of them. In this study was evaluated: the clogging risk, uniformity coefficient (Uc) of each LHFI technology, the deposited solids on the walls of the ducts and the influent particle size to the LHFI. Results showed that for greater concentration of TSS, was lower the irrigation time achieved by each LHFI technologies. The relationship between TSS and particle size effluent in LHFI indicated that maximum particle size introduced to the LHFI was 129 microns, which contribute to the emitter clogging. The laminar flow contribute to the deposition of solids in the ducts with impacts on Uc.