The energy dissipation mechanism and anti-clogging properties of drip irrigation emitters are closely related to flow characteristics of the fluid in its flow paths, and flow field tests using modem flow visual technologies were carried out by a large number of designers. The Digital Particle ImageVelocimetry （DPIV） system was built for un-disturbed flow tests in the labyrinth path. In this article, the flow field was measured in the flow path section, the structural unit and the local region near sawtooth. Under the pressure level of 10 Kpa, 50 Kpa, 100 Kpa and 150 Kpa, the flows in the two labyrinth paths were in the turbulence state, with flow stagnation regions and whirlpool regions in the structure of the labyrinth path sections. The flow stagnation regions should be eliminated as much as possible. But the vortex should be fully developed, which could increase the self-cleaning capacity and the anti-clogging capacity of the emitter. With respect to the anti-clogging performance and the energy loss efficiency of the emitter, the M-type flow path is better than the K-type flow path.
LIU Hai-shengLI Yun-kaiLIU Yan-zhengYA-NG Pei-lingREN Shu-meiWEI Run-jieXU Hong-bing
Using reclaimed wastewater for crop irrigation is a practical alternative to discharge wastewater treatment plant effluents into surface waters.However,biofouling has been identified as a major contributor to emitter clogging in drip irrigation systems distributing reclaimed wastewater.Little is known about the biofilm structure and its influence on clogging in the drip emitter flow path.This study was first to investigate the microbial characteristics of mature biofilms present in the emitters and the effect of flow path structures on the biofilm microbial communities.The analysis of biofilm matrix structure using a scanning electron microscopy（SEM） revealed that particles in the matrix of the biofilm coupled extracellular polysaccharides（EPS） and formed sediment in the emitter flow path.Analysis of biofilm mass including protein,polysaccharide,and phospholipid fatty acids（PLFAs） showed that emitter flow path style influenced biofilm community structure and diversity.The correlations of biofilm biomass and discharge reduction after 360 h irrigation were computed and suggest that PFLAs provide the best correlation coeffcient.Comparatively,the emitter with the unsymmetrical dentate structure and shorter flow path（Emitter C） had the best anti-clogging capability.By optimizing the dentate structure,the internal flow pattern within the flow path could be enhanced as an important method to control the biofilm within emitter flow path.This study established electron microscope techniques and biochemical microbial analysis methods that may provide a framework for future emitter biofilm studies.
YAN DazhuangBAI ZhihuiMike RowanGU LikunRen ShumeiYANG Peiling
