Irrigation Project Design - Article Example

Irrigation Project Design al Affiliation Introduction The main objective behind global consciousness is to connect scientists and engineers from different countries and disciplines in the verge of making healthy changes to the dominant systems in the world. The overlaying foundation of global consciousness is sustainable development which ensures that the current use of natural resources is planned in a manner that these resources will be available even for future generations. This can be achieved by altering the design of the systems. An example of such a system is an irrigation system. In order to conserve water and fuel, the designs of irrigation systems ought to be dynamic, robust, efficient and environmentally-friendly. The guiding principle of globally conscious engineering is boosting efficiency and environmental friendliness of a system without compromising its functionality and cost. This document is dominated by the design elements of an irrigation system that provides local people with adequate amount of water required for the irrigation of the farms and gardens. Considering the scale of this project (small-scale village irrigation), the main design elements that have been addressed are ease of installation, safety of the systems and its elements from vandalism by other villagers, efficiency and cost. The Irrigation System In order to reap maximal benefits from this irrigation system, it will be designed for drip irrigation. This method of irrigation ensures water drips slowly to the roots of the plants hence reduces the amount of water used. The water, through an interconnected system of emitters, tubing, valves, and pipes, drips slowly onto the surface or the roots of the plants hence saving water. Since this system ensures slow application rates, it prevents water logging of the soil and reduces the level of stress plants undergo due to variation in soil moisture. Since irrigation is targeted, weed growth is at a minimal hence the system reduces the costs of pesticides and herbicides. Finally, a low flow rate gives the system the ability to water larger areas and more plants simultaneously hence cost efficiency. Elements of the Irrigation System Centrifugal Pump The water source for this irrigation system is a nearby river from which the pump will draw water. In order to save on costs and energy demand, the pump will be located where the height through which the water must be lifted is at a minimum. The centrifugal pump used in this irrigation system will run on gasoline since electric systems are delicate, expensive and vulnerable to vandalism. Gasoline-powered pumps are also easy to operate and maintain. Additional measures taken to reduce the energy used by the pump will be to assemble a mechanism which allows the pump to be driven by hand or animal power when it runs out of gasoline. A centrifugal pump was preferred to an axial pump because it is readily available at a cheaper cost and it easier to operate and maintain. The pump will have curved vanes which are more efficient than straight vanes hence provide more water delivery for less energy consumption. Additionally, curved vanes make less turbulence hence the pump will cause minimal disruption to the river’s aquatic life. The 50mm centrifugal pump will have a discharge rate of twelve liters per second at a pressure of two bars thus, working at a peak efficiency rate of 52 percent; the pump will provide the farmers with adequate water for their plants. With proper management, this pump can serve the scheme for about six years before replacement or repairs. Distribution Systems The water from the pump to the field through the pipes is conveyed by the distribution system. The distribution system will be selected in such a way that it does not escalate the power and energy requirements of the entire system. This irrigation system will use pipes as opposed to open channels in order to reap all the advantages that come with pipes. Pipes have very low distribution losses and occupy less space when compared to open channels. Joints make the system more flexible. The use of pipes, which are enclosed, also reduces the potential health hazards by minimizing the contact of water with disease-causing pathogens. Due to the friction between the water flowing in the pipes and the walls of the pipes, energy is lost when water flows through the pipe. To reduce this hydraulic gradient, the pipe diameter will be suing water at a velocity of 1.6 meters per second to promote good engineering practice. Such a velocity minimizes head loss, water hammer and surge problems which can result in the bursting of pipes. Even though larger pipes are more expensive than smaller pipes, they will be preferred for this project since larger pipes require less pumping energy hence reducing operational costs. All the pipes used in this system will be PVC which is locally available and poses minimal challenges during joining compared to steel and PPR. Plastic elbows, tee junctions, unions, and other plumbing fittings will be used. Purple primer and PVC glue will be used to firmly join, connect, and seal the distribution pipes. Summary of the Irrigation System Using the two liters per second at two bars 12HP gasoline centrifugal pump, the engineer can calibrate the pump to supply a minimum of eight liters of water per second over every square meter of a one-acre farm with a head loss of 1.3m. This will not only save energy hence reduce operational costs but also reduce the likeability that the pipes will burst. The 100mm diameter PVC distribution pipe will run in the middle of the farm from which 50mm feeder pipes will draw water and convey it to the drip lines. The centrifugal pump will be enclosed in a cage made of thick bars and a metal door for secure locking. This cage, coupled with the fact that the pump lacks detachable, fragile, and valuable components, will reduce the susceptibility to vandalism. The pump will use minimal well-sealed joints and properly closable valves to minimize leakage hence conserve water. References Awulachew, S. B., Lemperiere, P., & Tulu, T. (2009). Pumps for Small-scale Irrigation. Module 4, Improving Productivity and Market Success of Ethiopian Farmers. International Livestock Research Institute. Accessed 15th June from: http://ilri.org/InfoServ/Webpub/fulldocs/IWMI_IPMSmodules/Module_4.pdf Banks, E. J. (2012). Designing a Basic PVC Home Garden Drip Irrigation System. Horticulture and Home, Utah State University. 1(1), 1-4. Blunck, M., Ghose, N., Pullenkav, T., & Luehr, I. (2010). Solar Water Pumping for Irrigation. Opportunities in Bihar, India. Indo-Germany Energy Programme. Byelich. B., Cook, J., & Rowley, C. (2013). Small Acreage Irrigation Guide. Water Rights and Irrigation Management. United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed 15th June from: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/sam-irr-guide.pdf Haman, D. Z., Zazueta, F. S., & Izuno, F. T. (2008). Selection of Centrifugal Pumping Equipment. University of Florida, Florida Corporative Extension Service. Circular 1048, 1-11 Hunter Industries Incorporated. (2011). Residential Sprinkler System Design Handbook. A step-by-step Introduction to Design and Installation. James, L.G. 1988. Principles of Farm Irrigation System Design. John Wiley and Sons. New York. Kay, M., & Hatcho, N. (1992). Irrigation Water Management. Small-Scale Pumped Irrigation: Energy and Cost. Provisional Edition, Food and Agriculture Organization. Accessed 15th June 2015 from: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/fwm/SmallScalePumpedIrrigation.pdf Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing Corporation. (2000). Landscape Irrigation Design Manual. Rain Bird. APPENDICES Appendix One: An Image of the Proposed Centrifugal Pump Appendix Two: An Image of a PVC Drip Irrigation System with Main and Feeder Pipes Appendix Three: An Image of a Small-scale PVC Drip Irrigation System Appendix Four: An Image of the Plugs and T- Joints used to Eliminate Watering Non-irrigated Rows and Connect Pipes Respectively Appendix Five: An Image of the Detachable End Plugs used to Eliminate Watering Non-irrigated Rows and Allow for Cleaning Read More