Dimensional analysis approach to estimate local head losses in microirrigation connectors

Local losses, which affect the uniformity of water application, are often ignored in the design of irrigation systems. Some accessories have no simple, efficient equations to estimate these losses. The main objective of this work was to develop an equation to estimate the local head loss in lateral...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Irrigation science 2014-05, Vol.32 (3), p.169-179
Main Authors: Zitterell, Danieli Bariviera, Jose Antonio Frizzone, Osvaldo Rettore Neto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Aquatic Pollution
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Climate Change
Computational fluid dynamics
Connectors
Dimensional analysis
Environment
equations
Estimates
Flow velocity
Froude number
Irrigation
Irrigation systems
Life Sciences
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
microirrigation
Pipe
Pipes
Review
Reynolds number
Sustainable Development
Variability
Waste Water Technology
Water flow
Water Industry/Water Technologies
Water Management
Water Pollution Control
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Summary:Local losses, which affect the uniformity of water application, are often ignored in the design of irrigation systems. Some accessories have no simple, efficient equations to estimate these losses. The main objective of this work was to develop an equation to estimate the local head loss in lateral passage connectors. Fifteen connector/pipe combinations were tested. The connectors were characterized by their internal diameters and dimensions. The local head loss was determined by subtracting the head loss on the connector and pipe from the head loss on the pipe. The parameters affecting the local head loss were defined as dimensionless terms using Buckingham’s theorem. A mathematical model was developed that presented a determination coefficient of 93.31 %. Elements such as the inner diameter of the connector, pipe length, connector, water flow velocity, Reynolds number and Froude number influenced the local head loss in the connectors. The model was compared with the observed data and presented excellent performance. It can be used to calculate the local head loss in lateral passage connectors.
ISSN:0342-7188
1432-1319
DOI:10.1007/s00271-013-0424-y