| The Micro-Tube Emitter Irrigation System is a pressurized system which utilizes only Polyethylene tubing to act as laterals, emitters and connecting barbs. The emitters dissipate the pressure from the distribution system through varying lengths and sizes of emitters, allowing desired volume of water to discharge. A set of experiments was carried out to determine the friction coefficients and entrance head loss coefficients. Different functions were obtained, which express the friction coefficient as a function of the Reynold's number. These functions display significant differences from the Blasius, Pong and Colebrook equations. The head losses due to entrance were found to be large and more significant than the friction head losses. These losses were highly dependent upon the velocity of the flow past the barb exit to the micro-tube and the velocity of the flow entering the barb connection. Mathematical and graphical relationships were developed for both friction head losses and entrance head losses. A design procedure is described in detail. A prototype micro-tube irrigation system was designed and installed. This prototype gave an excellent uniformity distribution which indicates that the micro-tube irrigation system is a reliable means of field irrigation. |
