SIGNIFICANCE OF ENERGY-LOSSES DUE TO EMITTER CONNECTIONS IN TRICKLE IRRIGATION LINES

A study has been made of the effect of on-line emitters on the energy losses in trickle irrigation laterals, The study involved eight types of emitter with various barb areas installed into five commonly used p olyethylene pipes of different diameters. Results of the investigation indicate that there are significant energy losses due to the emitter connections. The values of these losses are a function of the area of the emitter barb protrusion and the lateral pipe diameter. An increase in the energy loss of more than 32% compared with plain pipe was obse rved for laterals of 13 mm diameter. A simple procedure is suggested t o incorporate the emitter barb losses in the design of trickle irrigat ion laterals.