Optimal structural parameters of drip laminar emitters using high sediment irrigation water

Emitter clogging can be prevented by exploring the optimal emitter design. However, there is a lack of research on determining the optimal structural parameters of the emitter from the comprehensive perspective of the coordinated development of hydraulic performance and anti-clogging ability, especially when irrigation water with high sediment load is used. In this article, we used the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology to visualize the flow feature of high sediment concentration water in the emitter, analyze the velocity vector, velocity near wall feature point, turbulence intensity, hydraulic performance, and correlate the structure parameters and flow coefficient. The most suitable threshold range of the design parameters for emitter low path were: width of 0.8-1.2 mm, length of 27.5-42.5 mm, and depth being less than 1.0 mm. Within this range, emitters of different flow rates can be designed by adjusting the depth. We also found that different structure parameters of the emitter had little impact on the flow index. This study can provide a theoretical basis for effective control emitter clogging in drip irrigation system.