Af. Povoa et Dj. Hills, SENSITIVITY OF MICROIRRIGATION SYSTEM PRESSURE TO EMITTER PLUGGING AND LATERAL-LINE PERFORATIONS, Transactions of the ASAE, 37(3), 1994, pp. 793-799
A model was developed for relating hydraulic characteristics of a micr
oirrigation system to pump performance and emitter plugging. Data from
field trials were used to verify the model. The model was then used t
o determine pressure sensitivity at several system locations for diffe
rent scenarios of partial and full emitter plugging, and of lateral pe
rforations. Partial clogging of 5% of the emitters on a lateral can be
readily detected with pressure transducers located at either the late
ral or manifold inlets. Similarly, pressure transducers can detect pre
ssure differences due to minor perforations in the laterals. Pressure
change sensitivity due to clogging or perforations depends on the hydr
aulic characteristics of the pump and the irrigation system.