Evaluation of a Traveller Sprinkler System with Various Nozzles

Global climate change and its effect on water resources have further reduced the amount of water available for agriculture. Under this circumstance, the use of pressurized irrigation systems can be an option of enhancing the efficiency of water consumption. The mobile rain gun is very useful equipment which can be used for irrigating large areas and it works at a minimum pressure of 2kg/cm². The mobility of the equipment is possible at minimum pressure of 6kg/cm² pressure. For the calculation of uniformity in irrigation catch can test were conducted at various pressure by using various nozzle. The Christiansen’s equation for uniformity was used for calculation purpose. The grid is plotted for the spacing 3x3 meters and it covers an area of about 360m². The maximum uniformity was noted in the 12mm nozzle at 2kg/cm² pressure. The uniformity is much reduced for the high pressure due to wind drift and pressure fluctuations. The contour graphs were also used to find out the area of highly uniform distribution. The tape was used for measuring the throw range of rain gun during operation. The throw range varies from 8 to 30m for 10mm at 2kg/cm² and 14mm at 6kg/cm² respectively. The distribution graph was drawn to find out the change in distribution of water along with the change in distance from the rain gun. The rain gun is designed to irrigate large area by using a single unit so the distribution is more for large ranges compared to the places which are nearer to the implement. One of the major problem occur during the sprinkler irrigation is evaporation loss of spraying water. The distribution of water depended upon the things like pressure, climatic condition, wind speed, wind direction and the temperature.

Keywords:

Distribution Uniformity , Christiansen , Mobile Rain Gun , Pressurized irrigation