A Hybrid Computational and Analytical Model of Inline Drip Emitters
Name
md_141_7_071405.pdf
Description
Published version
Size
642.84 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
b9c4e815c72ff3d1e7d3a0cbf91a11cf
Author(s)
Narain, Jaya
Winter V, Amos G
Date Issued
2019
Journal
Journal of Mechanical Design
Publisher
ASME International
Version
Final published version
Abstract
This paper details a hybrid computational and analytical model to predict the performance of inline pressure compensating drip irrigation emitters. Pressure compensating emitters deliver a constant flow rate over a range of applied pressures to accurately meter water to crops. Flow rate is controlled within the emitter via a fixed resistance tortuous path, and a variable flow resistance composed of a flexible membrane that deflects under changes in pressure, restricting the flow path. A pressure resistance parameter was derived using an experimentally validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to describe the flow behavior in tortuous paths. The bending mechanics of the membrane were modeled analytically and refined by deriving a correction factor using finite element analysis (FEA). A matrix formulation that calculates the force applied by a line or a patch load of any shape on a rectangular membrane, along which there is a prescribed deflection, was derived and was found to be accurate to be 1%. The combined hybrid computational–analytical model reduces the computational time of modeling emitters from hours to less than 30 min, dramatically lowering the time required to iterate and select optimal designs. The model was validated experimentally using three commercially available drip emitters and was accurate to within 12% of the experimental results.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Global Engineering and Research Laboratory
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042613
