Discharge sensitivity of collapsible drip tapes to water temperature

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of water temperature variations on the discharge of collapsible thin-walled drip tapes with integrated non-pressure-compensating emitters. The tests were conducted in the laboratory using an automated test bench. Tests were performed to determine the discharge-pressure curves by varying the water temperature from 20 to 50 °C. Nine emitter models of three wall thicknesses (6, 8, and 9 MIL) were evaluated. The coefficients K and x of the discharge-pressure curves varied according to the water temperature. In flat emitters of turbulent flow (x 0.5), the discharge increased as the temperature was increased, while for emitter C (x