A New Indicator for Unsteady Flow Analysis in Pressurized Irrigation Systems

Nicola Lamaddalena (), Roula Khadra, Bilal Derardja and Umberto Fratino
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Nicola Lamaddalena: CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute
Roula Khadra: CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute
Bilal Derardja: CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute
Umberto Fratino: Polytechnic University of Bari

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2018, vol. 32, issue 9, No 19, 3219-3232

Abstract: Abstract Pressurized irrigation systems operating on-demand offer large flexibility to farmers for managing their irrigation practices. Within these systems, the fast moving water and the sudden closing of hydrants generates unsteady flow and may create a significant pressure variation in the pipes causing noise, vibration and, sometimes, also pipes’ collapse. The present study describes a simulation tool that was developed for the analysis of unsteady flow effects. A large number of configurations of hydrants simultaneously open has been used to reflect farmers’ behaviour. A new indicator, called Relative Pressure Variation (RPV), was proposed to evaluate the pressure variation occurring into the system in respect to the steady-state pressure. This is very relevant and can be used to identify pipes with potential risk of failure. In addition, an analysis with different gate-valves’ closing time was carried out. It demonstrated that closing time shorter than Tc = 3 s may create dangerous pressures for the pipes.

Keywords: Pressurized irrigation systems; Unsteady flow; Relative pressure variation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1007/s11269-018-1987-4

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