Pump Model for Drip Irrigation with Saline Water, Powered by a Photovoltaic Solar Panel with Direct and Intermittent Application

Vinicius Cossich (), Marcio Antonio Vilas Boas, Antonio Augusto Alves Pereira, Renato Guardini, Allan Remor Lopes, Naila Cristina Kepp, Dário Machado Júnior and Altair Bertonha
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Vinicius Cossich: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, Graduate Program in Agricultural Engineering, State University of Western Paraná (UNIOESTE), University Street, n° 2069, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil
Marcio Antonio Vilas Boas: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, Graduate Program in Agricultural Engineering, State University of Western Paraná (UNIOESTE), University Street, n° 2069, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil
Antonio Augusto Alves Pereira: Department of Rural Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Admar Gonzaga Highway, 1346, Itacorubi, Florianópolis 88034-000, SC, Brazil
Renato Guardini: Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of Santa Catarina (EPAGRI), Admar Gonzaga Highway, 1188, Itacorubi, Florianópolis 88034-000, SC, Brazil
Allan Remor Lopes: Department of Agronomy, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR-445, Km 380-Campus Universitário, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
Naila Cristina Kepp: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, Graduate Program in Agricultural Engineering, State University of Western Paraná (UNIOESTE), University Street, n° 2069, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil
Dário Machado Júnior: Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Maringá (UEM), Avenue Colombo, n° 5790, Zona 7, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
Altair Bertonha: Department of Agronomy, State University of Maringá (UEM), Avenue Colombo, n° 5790, Zona 7, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: Irrigation is crucial for agricultural production in dry regions. However, water salinity is a risk for the soil–plant combination and the longevity of the materials that make up the irrigation system. Drip irrigation using direct and intermittent photovoltaic pumping can be key for optimizing irrigation with saline water. This article compares two pump models to understand which has the greatest capacity to reduce the risks of salinity in irrigated agriculture, aiming to make the system more sustainable through more efficient irrigation, without the need for highly expensive corrective cleaning measures. The ideal pump was evaluated using the motor pump’s electrical and hydraulic parameters and the water’s quality parameters applied by irrigation. The results indicate that the diaphragm pump is more sensitive to disturbances in irrigation management when compared to the centrifugal pump; however, it stands out in the following areas: it is more efficient, that is, it operates for more hours of the day with a direct connection with the photovoltaic panels; delivers better distribution uniformity in both continuous and pulsed application; and it makes the drip irrigation system with saline water more resistant to clogging.

Keywords: solar energy; chemical clogging; irrigation sustainability practices; positive displacement pump; dynamic pumps (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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