Simulation of Laminar Flow in Small Channels of Emitters Using FLOW3D Software

Subject Areas : watere sciences

Hojatollah Saghi ¹ , Mahdi Delghandi ² , Saeed Broomandnasab ³

1 - Soil and Water Engineering Services Company
2 - Depatment of Water Science
3 - Department Of Water Science Engineering

Received: 2017-07-07 Accepted : 2017-07-07 Published : 2013-09-23

Keywords: simulation, Emitter, FLOW3D software, Laminar model,

Abstract :

Emitter is the key component in drip irrigation system. Therefore Hydraulic performance of the emitter is an important factor affecting the capability of drip irrigation. Because of small size and complex structure of labyrinth-channel used in most drip emitters, it is not possible to observe the flow behavior of water passing through the channel. Also Process production of emitters is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore In this study, the flow in emitters' channels was simulated by FLOW3D software. For this purpose 3 types emitter (A, B and C) were selected and sizes of their channels were calculated by photographing with Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). To calculate the relationship between pressure and rate of emitters discharge, laminar model was used. Simulated results were compared with experimental results. Average of prediction error percentage (Er) was about 2 percent for A and B emitters and about 12 percent for C emitter. Hence simulated data showed a good agreement with the experimental data.