Evaluating the performance of localized irrigation system outlets using treated wastewater

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the performance of the outlets of a localized irrigation system (drip and bubbler) with discharges (up to 108 L/h) using treated wastewater. The study was conducted at three locations: Cairo, Beni Suef and Luxor, during the years 2021 and 2022, using pressure compensating (PC) (Cairo and Beni Suef) and non-pressure compensating (NPC) (Luxor) outlets. The actual performance of the outlets was studied by measuring emission uniformity (EU) and clogging percent (CP). Readings were recorded every 32 hours and for a running duration according to the site's conditions. The main results showed that: (A) At Cairo site: EU and CP for PC outlets at flow rates (3.5 -54 -108L/h) were (76.2 -56.7%), (78.2 -33.7%), (81.6 -16.2%) respectively after 96 operating hours by using treated wastewater. (B) At Beni Suef site: EU and CP for PC outlet at flow rate 24L/h was (72.7 -47.6%) respectively after 192 operating hours by using treated wastewater. (C) At Luxor site: EU and CP for NPC outlet at flow rate 70L/h was (59.4 -76.3%) respectively after 192 operating hours by using treated wastewater. The study concluded that the use of treated wastewater for the localized irrigation system with low or high discharge outlets leads to clogging of the outlets with increased operating time, which leads to a decrease in application uniformity. Therefore, the study recommends the use of PC outlets with a discharge rate of no less than 108 L/h in cases of necessity.