ESTIMATION OF THE KINETIC HEAD COEFFICIENT (k) BASED ON THE GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF EMITTER PIPES

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the variability of the head loss as a function of the emitter geometry as well as to develop a relation between local head loss caused by the emitter insertion and geometric characteristics of the emitter pipe, using index of obstruction for dripper pipes with non-coaxial emitters. For this, an experimental bench was developed to control the system and obtain the variables pertinent to the study. From the value of the total head loss in the emitter pipe and the value obtained with calculation of the distributed head loss in the pipe, the difference of these values was local head loss caused by the insertion of the emitter. Total head loss in the emitter pipe and local head loss on the emitter presented a potential relation with flow rate. The kinetic head coefficient (k), for each emitter studied, was obtained from the local head loss on the emitter and the kinetic head. A model for estimating the k coefficient based on the obstruction index was then generated.