EVALUACIÓN DE LA UNIFORMIDAD DE DISTRIBUCIÓN EN CAMPO EN RIEGO POR GOTEO CON AGUAS REGENERADAS: COMPARACIÓN Y PROPUESTA DE UN NUEVO MÉTODO

[EN] Flow distribution uniformity is a parameter used for micro-irrigation evaluation. Different methods describe how to collect data and to calculate the distribution uniformity, such as the procedures developed by Merriam and Keller (1978), ASAE (1998) and Burt (2004). The main difference between these methods is the number and location of the drip emitters used for calculating the distribution uniformity. Nowadays, with increasing use of precision technologies, an alternative method is proposed to estimate distribution uniformity in real time and without using the manpower required by this time-consuming task. This method consists in using flow and pressure data collected by the devices installed in the drip irrigation unit. The proposed procedure will also allow to evaluate subsurface drip irrigation systems, which distribution uniformity otherwise would be very difficult to determine frequently. The evolution of the results obtained by the proposed method according to the irrigation time is more similar with that obtained by Burt’s (2004) method than that obtained following Merriam and Keller’s (1978) method.[ES] La uniformidad de distribución de caudales es una medida de evaluación de los sistemas de riego por goteo. Existen distintos métodos de evaluación de campo descritos para su determinación, entre los cuales destacan los de Merriam y Keller (1978), ASAE (1998) y Burt (2004). La principal diferencia entre estos métodos está en la localización y cantidad de emisores que se utilizan para el cálculo de la uniformidad. En la situación actual de aumento de la utilización de tecnologías de precisión, se propone una alternativa a los métodos existentes consistente en la utilización de registros de caudal y presión proporcionados por distintos medidores instalados en la subunidad de riego, permitiendo estimar la uniformidad de distribución de caudales en tiempo real y sin necesidad de utilización de mano de obra para esta laboriosa tarea. La nueva metodología permitiría, además, evaluar instalaciones de goteo enterrado que de otra manera sería complicado de medir frecuentemente. La evolución de los resultados obtenidos en función de las horas de riego con el método presentado es más parecida a la que se consigue con el método de Burt (2004) que a la obtenida con el método de Merriam y Keller (1978).Duran-Ros, M.; Arbat, G.; Pujol, J.; Barragán, J.; Ramírez De Cartagena, F.; Puig-Bargués, J. (2015). EVALUACIÓN DE LA UNIFORMIDAD DE DISTRIBUCIÓN EN CAMPO EN RIEGO POR GOTEO CON AGUAS REGENERADAS: COMPARACIÓN Y PROPUESTA DE UN NUEVO MÉTODO. En XXXIII CONGRESO NACIONAL DE RIEGOS. Valencia 16-18 junio de 2015. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/CNRiegos.2015.1526OC

Diseño de una nueva crepina para reducir la caida de presión en filtros de arena

La filtración es necesaria para evitar la obturación de los emisores, que es el principal problema del riego por goteo. Sin embargo, los filtros necesitan presiones elevadas que están relacionadas con un mayor consumo energético. Estudios anteriores han mostrado que la caída de presión en los filtros de arena, considerados como los estándares en riego por goteo, se localiza principalmente en el drenaje. El principal objetivo del trabajo fue diseñar un nuevo modelo de crepina que redujera la caída de presión en el filtro. Esta nueva crepina tiene mayores pasajes a la salida del drenaje, está rodeada con un medio granular de mayor conductividad hidráulica y modifica la curvatura del flujo por encima de la crepina. La nueva crepina fue construida y ensayada en condiciones de filtrado y contralavado, con y sin medio filtrante, en un filtro de laboratorio escalado a partir de un filtro comercial. Esta nueva crepina redujo considerablemente la caída de presión con respecto el diseño comercial. Se desarrolló también un modelo CFD para analizar con detalle las zonas donde se consigue la reducción observada.Filtration is mandatory for preventing emitter clogging, which is the main drawback of microirrigation. However, microirrigation filters have high pressure requirements, which in turn are related to higher energy consumption. Previous studies have shown that pressure loss in sand media filters, which are usually considered the standard for microirrigation, are mainly located in the filter underdrain. The main objective was to design a new underdrain that could reduce sand media filter pressure drop. The new underdrain has wider passages to the underdrain outlet, is surrounded with a granular medium with higher hydraulic conductivity and it modifies the flow curvature above the underdrain. The new underdrain was built and tested under filtration and backwashing conditions and with and without filter bed using a laboratory filter which was scaled from a commercial filter. The new underdrain considerably reduced pressure loss compared with a commercial filter. A CFD model was developed for further study those filter areas where the underdrain achieved a higher reduction of pressure drop

Acoustic properties of agroforestry waste orange pruning fibers reinforced polypropylene composites as an alternative to laminated gypsum boards

The present paper investigates the acoustic properties of natural fiber reinforced composites. Fibers from orange tree pruning were obtained and subject to different treatments in order to obtain mechanical, thermomechanical and chemi-thermomechanical pulps. These pulps were used as reinforcement for a polypropylene matrix. The obtained composite materials were submitted to acoustical tests in an impedance tubes device. The transmission losses obtained against the fiber content were obtained and discussed. Latter it was researched the influence of the fiber treatments on the soundproof characteristics. A numerical method was used to preview the acoustic insulation of the materials against the sound frequency. Finally the results were compared with that of the most usual lightweight soundproof solutions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Reixach, R.; Rey Tormos, RMD.; Alba Fernández, J.; Arbat, G.; Espinach, FX.; Mutjé, P. (2015). Acoustic properties of agroforestry waste orange pruning fibers reinforced polypropylene composites as an alternative to laminated gypsum boards. Construction and Building Materials. 77:124-129. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.12.041S1241297

Eliminación de partículas de efluentes en filtros de sistemas de riego localizado

The aim of this work was to determine whether the filters used in microirrigation systems can remove potentially emitter-clogging particles. The particle size and volume distributions of different effluents and their filtrates were established, and the efficiency of the removal of these particles and total suspended solids by screen, disc and sand filters determined. In most of the effluents and filtrates, the number of particles with a diameter > 20 micro m was minimal. By analysing the particle volume distribution it was found that particles larger than the disc and screen filter pores appeared in the filtrates. However, the sand filter was able to retain particles larger than the pore size. The filtration efficiency depended more on the type of effluent than on the filter. It was also found that the particle size distribution followed a potential law. Analysis of the beta exponents showed that the filters did not significantly modify the particle size distribution of the effluents.La distribución del número y del volumen de partículas, y la eficiencia de eliminación de las partículas y los sólidos en suspensión de diferentes efluentes y sus filtrados, fueron analizadas para estudiar si los filtros más usuales en los sistemas de riego localizado eliminan las partículas que pueden obturar los goteros. En la mayoría de los efluentes y filtrados fue mínimo el número de partículas con diámetros superiores a 20 micro m. Sin embargo, al analizar la distribución del volumen de las partículas, en los filtrados aparecieron partículas de dimensiones superiores a la luz de los filtros de anillas y malla, siendo el filtro de arena el que retuvo las partículas de mayor diámetro. La eficiencia de los filtros para retener partículas se debió más al tipo de efluente que al filtro. Se verificó también que la distribución del número de partículas sigue una relación de tipo potencial. Analizando el exponente beta de la ley potencial, se halló que los filtros no modificaron significativamente la distribución del número de partículas de los efluentes

Características del riego y productividad bruta del agua en el riego por surcos aplicado a la producción de planta ornamental

In the ornamental plant production region of Girona (Spain), which is one of the largest of its kind in southern Europe, most of the surface is irrigated using wide blocked-end furrows. The objectives of this paper were: (1) to evaluate the irrigation scheduling methods used by ornamental plant producers; (2) to analyse different scenarios in order to assess how they affect irrigation performance; (3) to evaluate the risk of deep percolation; and (4) to calculate gross water productivity. A two-year study in a representative commercial field, planted with Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’, was carried out. The irrigation dose applied by the farmers was slightly smaller than the required water dose estimated by the use of two different methods: the first based on soil water content, and the second based on evapotranspiration. Distribution uniformity and application efficiency were high, with mean values above 87%. Soil water content measurements revealed that even at the end of the furrow, where the infiltrated water depth was greatest, more than 90% of the infiltrated water was retained in the shallowest 40 cm of the soil; accordingly, the risk of water loss due to deep percolation was minimal. Gross water productivity for ornamental tree production was € 11.70 m–3, approximately 20 times higher than that obtained with maize in the same region.En la zona de producción de planta ornamental de Girona (España), que es una de las mayores del sur de Europa,la mayor parte de la superficie es regada por surcos. Los objetivos del presente artículo son: (1) evaluar la programación de riegos que realizan los productores de planta ornamental; (2) analizar diferentes escenarios para ver como afectan la calidad del riego; (3) evaluar el riesgo de percolación profunda; (4) calcular la productividad bruta del agua. Se realizó un estudio de dos años en un campo comercial de Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’. La dosis de agua aplicada por los agricultores fue ligeramente inferior a la dosis de riego requerida estimada por dos métodos distintos: el primero basado en el contenido de agua en el suelo y el segundo en la evapotranspiración. La uniformidad de distribución y eficiencia de aplicación fueron altos, con valores medios por encima del 87%. Las medidas de contenido de agua en el suelo revelaron que al final del surco, donde la lámina de agua infiltrada fue mayor, más del 90% del agua infiltrada se retuvo en los primeros 40 cm del suelo; en consecuencia, el riesgo de pérdidas de aguas debido a la percolación profunda fue mínimo. La productividad bruta del agua en la producción de árboles ornamentales fue de 11,70 € m–3, aproximadamente 20 veces mayor que la obtenida en maíz en la misma región

Costes privados del riego por goteo utilizando aguas regeneradas

The cost of reusing water in micro-irrigation at the field level has not been studied in depth although the use of effluents in agriculture is a viable alternative in areas where water is scarce or there is intense competition for its use. The aim of the present study is to analyse the private costs of water reuse in micro-irrigation in an experimental plot. This analysis is intended to provide information about the decision a farmer would make when the choice to use conventional or reclaimed water is guided by cost criteria. The components of the total costs of different combinations of four types of filters and five emitters that can be installed in micro-irrigation systems using reclaimed water have been studied with the data obtained from an experimental plot in conditions similar to those of fruit orchards. Different scenarios that compared the costs of using conventional or reclaimed water in terms of water price and nutrient content were also studied. The results show that a proper combination of filters and emitters can save up to 33% in irrigation costs. Capital costs and maintenance costs were the most variable among the different combinations. Scenario analysis showed that the greater price of reclaimed water could be compensated by high nutrient contents, which would reduce fertilizer costs.El coste de la reutilización de agua en sistemas de riego por goteo a nivel de parcela no se ha estudiado en profundidad aunque la utilización de aguas residuales en agricultura es una alternativa viable en áreas con escasos recursos hídricos o con fuerte competencia por su uso. El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido analizar los costes privados del uso del agua regenerada del riego por goteo en una parcela experimental. Se pretende que este análisis aporte información sobre cual sería la elección del regante según un criterio de costes si pudiera optar entre utilizar agua convencional o regenerada. Para ello, se analizaron los distintos componentes de los costes totales de diferentes combinaciones de cuatro tipos de filtros y cinco emisores comerciales, partiendo de los datos obtenidos en una parcela experimental en condiciones similares a las de una plantación de frutales. Se estudiaron también distintos escenarios en los que se comparaban los costes del uso de agua convencional o regenerada en función del precio de la misma y del contenido en nutrientes. Los resultados obtenidos indican que una correcta combinación de filtro y emisor puede ahorrar hasta un 33% de los costes de riego. Los costes de inversión y los de mantenimiento fueron los que más variaron entre las distintas combinaciones. El análisis de escenarios evidenció que el mayor precio del agua regenerada podría compensarse con una aportación elevada de nutrientes por parte de la misma, lo que permitiría reducir los costes de fertilización

An approach to costs and energy consumption in private urban Spanish Mediterranean landscapes from a simplified model in sprinkle irrigation

The number of private gardens has increased in recent years, creating a more pleasant urban model, but not without having an environmental impact, including increased energy consumption, which is the focus of this study. The estimation of costs and energy consumption for the generic typology of private urban gardens is based on two simplifying assumptions: square geometry with surface areas from 25 to 500 m2 and hydraulic design with a single pipe. In total, eight sprinkler models have been considered, along with their possible working pressures, and 31 pumping units grouped into 5 series that adequately cover the range of required flow rates and pressures, resulting in 495 hydraulic designs repeated for two climatically different locations in the Spanish Mediterranean area (Girona and Elche). Mean total irrigation costs for the locality with lower water needs (Girona) and greater needs (Elche) were € 2,974 ha-1 yr-1 and € 3,383 ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Energy costs accounted for 11.4% of the total cost for the first location, and 23.0% for the second. While a suitable choice of the hydraulic elements of the setup is essential, as it may provide average energy savings of 77%, due to the low energy cost in relation to the cost of installation, the potential energy savings do not constitute a significant incentive for the irrigation system design. The low efficiency of the pumping units used in this type of garden is the biggest obstacle and constraint to achieving a high quality energy solution

Effect of flushing frequency on emitter clogging in microirrigation with effluents

Flushing is an important maintenance task that removes accumulated particles in microirrigation laterals that can help to reduce clogging problems. The effect of three dripline flushing frequency treatments (no flushing, one flushing at the end of each irrigation period, and a monthly flushing during the irrigation period) was studied in surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems that operated using a wastewater treatment plant effluent for three irrigation periods of 540h each. The irrigation systems had two different emitters, one pressure compensating and the other not, both molded and welded onto the interior dripline wall, placed in laterals 87m long. Dripline flow of the pressure compensating emitter increased 8% over time, while in the nonpressure compensating emitter, dripline flow increased 25% in the surface driplines and decreased 3% in the subsurface driplines by the emitter clogging. Emitter clogging was affected primarily by the interactions between emitter location, emitter type, and flushing frequency treatment. The number of completely clogged emitters was affected by the interaction between irrigation system and emitter type. There was an average of 3.7% less totally clogged emitters in flushed surface driplines with the pressure compensating emitter as compared to flushed subsurface laterals with the nonpressure compensating emitter.Flushing Wastewater Surface drip irrigation Subsurface drip irrigation Plugging