International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087
Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, 397-406
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

EVALUATION OF HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE

OF MICRO-SPRINKLER SYSTEM
DHAVAL K. DWIVEDI & PARTHSARTHI A. PANDYA
Department of Soil and Water Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology,
Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India
ABSTRACT
Sprinkler irrigation has proved to be an efficient irrigation system compared to conventional methods of
irrigation although the initial cost of installation is high. It is crucial to ascertain the performance for minimizing water
losses and providing better uniformity. In this study, micro sprinkler system was evaluated based on its hydraulic
performance. Micro sprinklers were set up at four different sprinkler spacings (3m x 3m, 4m x 4m, 5m x 5m and 6m x
6m) and four different operating pressures ( 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg/cm2). The discharge and radius of throw were
determined at various operating pressures and Christiansens uniformity coefficient, distribution coefficient and
application rate were determined at different spacings and different operating pressures. The study revealed that the
of 1.0 kg/cm2 as the uniformity coefficient decreased to less than 80%. The application rates increased appreciably with
the increase in operating pressures and decrease in the sprinkler spacings. The radius of throw was in the range of 4.26
m to 6.75 m. The study reveals that changes in performance of micro-sprinkler system in terms of uniformity and
application rate. The study shows the impact of the operating pressure and the spacing of micro sprinkler on its
hydraulic performance.
KEYWORDS: Micro Sprinker, Uniformity Coefficient, Distribution Uniformity, Radius of Throw, Hydraulic

Original Article

uniformity coefficient was in the range of 72.8% to 89.2%. It was not desirable to operate the micro sprinkler at pressure

Performance

Received: May 02, 2016; Accepted: May 24, 2016; Published: May 27, 2016; Paper Id.: IJASRJUN2016048

INTRODUCTION
Sprinkler irrigation system is being widely used especially in those areas where land topography in not
favorable for traditional irrigation. Although it requires high initial investment as compared to the conventional
methods, the sprinkler system is highly adaptable. When highly pressurized water is passed through sprinklers, the
water gets discharged in form of small droplets from the aperture of sprinkler. Sandy soil with high infiltration rate
is highly suitable for sprinkler system however it is also adaptable to most of the soils. Average rate of water
application should be less than the basic infiltration rate of the soil to avoid water ponding over the soil surface and
also to check the formation of overland flow in the field.
The hydraulic performance evaluation of a sprinkler system in the present study is evaluated by obtaining
discharge, Christiansens uniformity coefficient, distribution uniformity, application rate and radius of throw.
Various operating pressures were used during the study. Operating pressure affects the wetting pattern and
performance of sprinkler irrigation. Sprinklers working at low pressure cover smaller area, but the water
application rate is high for the given lateral spacing. Christiansens uniformity coefficient (CU)

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Dhaval K. Dwivedi & Parthsarthi A. Pandya

(Christiansen, 1942) is widely used by researches on the global scale and has been applied as a proven criterion to define
water distribution uniformity. Christiansens uniformity coefficient of 84% is desirable. Arrangement styles that have the
results less than this value should not be used (Keller and Bliesner, 1990). It`s impossible to have equal water distribution
on the areas that are being irrigated (Zoldoske et al., 1994). Distribution uniformity is a useful term for placing a numerical
value on the uniformity of application for irrigation system. It is useful for calculating the average depth to be applied for
certain minimum depth. Mean application rate is the depth of water applied by the sprinkler on the soil surface per unit
time.
The degree of uniformity of water distribution depends on the water distribution styles and features of sprinkler
nozzles. The basic function of sprinkler nozzles is to distribute water uniformly, without causing surface flow and
excessive drainage from the root zone. For this reason, the sprinkler nozzle is considered to be the most important element
of the system. The performance of the sprinkler nozzle determines the productivity and efficiency of the whole system
(Keller and Bliesner, 1990; Wilson and Zoldoske, 1997). Singh et al. (2001) conducted a test on performance evaluation of
micro jet sprinkler and obtained the emission uniformity of more than 90% at pressures ranging from 0.5 to 1.7kg/cm2.
Topak (2005) conducted a field test on performance evaluation of sprinkler system in semi arid area in Turkey. The results
obtained by Topak indicated the average Christiansens uniformity (CU) for 10m x 10m spacing (sprinkler and lateral
spacing respectively) and 10m x 15m spacing was 86.7% and 80.6% respectively and for the same spacing the average
potential application efficiency was 70.6% and 62.4% respectively. Ahaneku (2010) evaluated the performance of sprinkler
system by catch can tests and results indicated the average Christiansens uniformity and delivery performance ratio were
86% and 87% by using ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) standard procedures.
Siosmarde and Byzedi (2012) found the mean values of Christiansens uniformity and distribution uniformity to be 62%
and 49.4% for five solid set randomly selected sprinkler irrigation systems. The performance evaluation of sprinkler
system performed by Frank (2009) yielded the Christiansens uniformity (CU) to be 91% and 87% and application rates to
be 10.4mm/hr and 4.7 mm/hr at 12m x 12m and 18m x 18m spacings respectively.
Many irrigation systems perform below their capacity leading to non-uniformity and water loss and therefore
performance assessment becomes necessary to evaluate the irrigation system. The main objective of the sprinkler system is
to obtain uniform distribution of water with desired application rate so that loss of water is minimized. The uniformity in
water distribution depends on the distance between the sprinkler nozzles as well (Wilcox and Swailes, 1947). As sprinklers
are spaced further apart, uniformities usually decrease (Tarjuelo et al., 1999).The optimum operating pressure for getting
the desired performance is evaluated in this study. The impact of lateral and sprinkler spacings on the performance is also
revealed in the study. Sprinklers can be a good investment if it is properly designed, installed and maintained.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was performed using a micro sprinkler with single nozzle of 1.73mm diameter. A set of nine
micro-sprinklers was used in the experiment. The sprinklers were arranged in four different row spacings
(3m, 4m, 5m and 6m) and four sprinkler spacings (3m, 4m, 5m and 6m). A matrix of catch can was installed at ground
level using the spacing of 0.5m x 0.5m grid covering the entire experimental area. The system was operated at four
different operating pressures for hydraulic evaluation (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg/cm2). The existing tube well of 200mm
diameter and submersible pump of 7.5 HP was used to supply water to micro sprinkler. A screen filter of 20 m3/h capacity
of 50mm was provided to filter out the soil particles and impurities from the water. A dial pressure gauge of range 0-7
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Evaluation of Hydraulic Performance of Micro-Sprinkler System

399

kg/cm2 was used to measure the pressure over micro sprinkler. The dial pressure gauge was installed on the main pipe to
monitor the pressure in the main line in the unit of kg/cm2. Sprinklers were operated at different operating pressures of 1.0,
1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg/cm2 and a by-pass valve was used to regulate the pressure. Pitot pressure gauges of the rage 0-7 kg/cm2
were also used to measure the pressure near the sprinklers.
For the determination of sprinkler discharge, Christiansens uniformity coefficient (CU), Distribution uniformity
(DU), radius of throw and application rate, the micro sprinklers were evaluated at four different pressures of 1 kg/cm2, 1.5
kg/cm2, 2 kg/cm2 and 2.5 kg/cm2 and four different spacing arrangements of 3m x 3m, 4m x 4m, 5m x 5m and 6m x 6m.
First the pressure level was maintained at 1.0 kg/cm2 and the spacing of 3m x 3m was arranged. At this combination of
spacing and pressure, the discharge of micro sprinkler, water depth in the catch cans and radius of throw were determined
and consequently the Christiansens uniformity coefficient (CU), distribution uniformity (DU), and application rates were
determined. The above procedure was repeated five times and average of the above parameters was obtained for the same
spacing of 3m x 3m and pressure of 1.0 kg/cm2. Consequently the operating pressures were changed to 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 and
the spacings were also changed for each value of operating pressure.
Sprinkler Discharge (q)
Sprinkler discharge is assessed by collecting the water emitted by the sprinkler into a bucket for a specified
constant time interval for each operating pressure. The discharge was calculated by dividing the collected volume by the
time of filling. The observations of discharge were recorded five times for each operating pressure.
=

(1)

Christiansens Uniformity coefficient (CU)

The uniformity coefficient was obtained by the following formula proposed by Christiansen. (Christiansen, 1942).
= 1

! 100

(2)

Where, CU = Christiansens uniformity coefficient ( %)

# is the mean water depth collected in the catch can
X-# = cumulative of numerical deviation of individual observation from the mean water depth
n = total no. of catch cans
Distribution Uniformity (DU):
A useful term for placing a numerical value on the uniformity of application for irrigation system is the
distribution uniformity (DU). The distribution uniformity is also known as pattern efficiency (Pe). It indicates the
uniformity of water application throughout the field and is computed by
$u =

&

)*

' (

(3)

' (

The minimum depth is calculated by taking the average of the lowest 1/4th of the can used in a particular test.
Application Rate (I)

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Dhaval K. Dwivedi & Parthsarthi A. Pandya

Application rate is the depth of water applied by the sprinkler on the soil surface per unit time. The experiments
were conducted with the catch cans to determine the volume of application during the time of operation of the sprinkler, at
different places in the field. This volume is divided by the cross-sectional area of the catch can to determine the depth of
application of the micro sprinkler. This depth was used to estimate the mean application rate of the micro sprinkler. It was
estimated according to the following formula,
+=

(4)

Where, I= application rate, mm/h

X = total depth of water collected in the catch cans (volume/ area of can), mm
n = number of catch cans t = time of operation, h (hour)
Radius of Throw (R)
Radius of throw of micro sprinkler was calculated using the boundary sprinklers of the experimental setup.
The micro sprinklers were operated at different pressures and the throw radius was measured using a measuring tape. By
this way throw radius of all sprinklers were measured, and an average of this was calculated to give effective radius.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Discharge (q) from Micro Sprinkler
Table 1: Average Discharge (q) at Various Operating Pressures
Sr. No.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Operating Pressure
(kg/cm2)
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5

Average Discharge q
(lph)
95
126
147
184

Figure 1: Average Discharge (q) at Various Operating Pressures

As shown in figure 1, the average discharge increases considerably with the increase in operating pressure. At the
operating pressure of 1 kgcm2, the discharge obtained is 95 lph and at the operating pressure of 2.5 kg/cm2, the discharge
of 184 lph is obtained. It can be desirable to operate it at low pressures for soils that have low infiltration rates so that there
is minimum loss of water.

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Evaluation of Hydraulic Performance of Micro-Sprinkler System

401

Christiansens Uniformity Coefficient (CU)

Table 2: Christiansens Uniformity Coefficient (CU) at Various Pressures and Spacing of Micro Sprinklers
Pressure (kg/cm2)

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Spacing (m)
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m

Uniformity
Coefficient (%)
72.83
73.11
73.47
75.34
79.95
80.42
81.83
83.29
83.44
84.63
85.16
85.44
85.82
86.16
88.27
89.25

Figure 2: Uniformity Coefficient (CU) at Various Operating Pressures

Figure 3: Uniformity Coefficient (CU) at Various Spacings

As shown in the Figure 3, the highest value of uniformity coefficient was obtained when the spacing of micro
sprinklers was kept at 3m x 3m and the operating pressure was 2.5 kg/cm2. The lowest value of uniformity coefficient was
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Dhaval K. Dwivedi & Parthsarthi A. Pandya

obtained at the spacing of 6m x 6m and the operating pressure was 1.0 kg/cm2. The results are also presented for
uniformity coefficient at various spacings in Figure 3. For obtaining uniformity of more than 80% at the spacing of 3m x
3m then it is recommended that the micro sprinklers should be operated at pressure greater than 1 kg/cm2. The uniformity
remains slightly less than 80% at 6m x 6m spacing even at operating pressure of 1.5 kg/cm2. Therefore it is recommended
to either reduce the spacing or to operate at higher pressures in order to obtain uniformity coefficient of more than 80 %.
Distribution Uniformity (DU)
Table 3: Distribution Uniformity (DU) at Various Operating Pressures and Various Spacings
Pressure (Kg/cm2)
1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Spacing (m)
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m

Distribution Uniformity (%)

77.94
78.33
78.76
79.93
84.63
85.17
86.35
88.33
88.25
88.63
89.26
90.47
89.64
91.22
91.47
92.25

Figure 4: Distribution Uniformity (DU) at Various Operating Pressures

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Figure 5: Distribution Uniformity (DU) at Various Spacings

As shown in figure 4 and figure 5, the highest value of distribution uniformity was obtained when the spacing of
micro sprinkler was kept at 3m x 3m and the pressure was 2.5 kg/cm2. The lowest value of distribution uniformity
coefficient was obtained at the spacing of 6m x 6m and the operating pressure was 1.0 kg/cm2. Figure 5 clearly indicates
that as the spacing between the micro sprinklers increased there was reduction in the value of distribution uniformity
coefficient and vice versa.
Application Rate (I) of Micro Sprinkler
Table 4: Application Rate (I) at Various Operating Pressures and Various Spacings
Pressure (Kg/cm2)

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Spacing (m)
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m
6m 6m
5m 5m
4m 4m
3m 3m

Application rate (mm/hr)

2.63
3.80
5.93
10.56
3.50
5.04
7.87
14.16
4.08
5.88
9.18
16.34
5.12
7.36
11.50
20.43

As the spacing between the micro sprinklers is increased, the application rate decreases and vice versa. To obtain
better application rates at higher spacings, the operating pressure needs to be increased. There is a considerable difference
in application rate if the pressure is lowered. If low operating pressure is available, it is advisable to keep the spacing as
low as possible in order to obtain higher application rates. The application rates are much lower at the spacing of 6m x 6m.
This spacing can be used in the field for certain kind of soils that are suitable for low application rates.

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Dhaval K. Dwivedi & Parthsarthi A. Pandya

Figure 6: Application Rate (I) at Various Operating Pressures

Figure 7: Application Rate (I) at Various Spacings

As shown Figure 6 and Figure 7, the maximum application rate is obtained at the spacing of 3m x 3m and
operating pressure of 2.5 kg/cm2 and least application rate is obtained at 6m x 6m spacing and operating pressure of 1.0
kg/cm2. Hence, it is not advisable to operate the micro sprinkler at such low pressure as the application rate obtained is
very low. The micro sprinkler irrigation system with the spacing of 3m x 3m with the operating pressure of 2.5 kg/m2 can
be used on those kinds of soils that can tolerate the application rate otherwise it would cause water loss.
Radius of Throw (R)
Table 5: Radius of Throw (R) at Various Operating Pressures
Sr. No.
1.
2.
3.
4

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

Pressure (kg/cm2)
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5

Radius of Throw (m)

4.26
5.22
6.03
6.75

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Figure 8: Radius of Throw (R) at Various Operating Pressures

As shown in Figure 8, the least radius of throw was obtained when the micro sprinkler was operated at the
pressure of 1.0 kg/cm2 and maximum radius of throw is obtained when the micro sprinkler is operated at the pressure of 2.5
kg/cm2. The difference between the maximum and minimum radius of throw is 2.49 metres.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the study, the following conclusions may be drawn from the present investigation:

The average discharge rate was in the range of 95 lph to 184 lph at operating pressure range of 1.0 to 2.5 kg/cm2.

Christiansens uniformity coefficient (CU) was obtained in the range of 72.83% to 89.25%. Uniformity coefficient
(CU) was higher than 80% in all the cases except when the operating pressure was kept at 1 kg/cm2.

Distribution uniformity (DU) was obtained in the range of 77.94% to 92.25%.

Highest application rate of 20.16 mm/hr was obtained at 2.5 kg/cm2 at 3m x 3m spacing. Consequently as the
application rate decreased as the micro sprinkler spacing was increased.

The radius of throw measured was in the range of 4.26 m to 6.75 m at the operating pressure range of 1.0 to 2.5
kg/cm2.
From the above study it was concluded that in order to obtain uniformity consistently above 80%, higher

operating pressure of 2.0 kg/cm2 or greater is required. It is not recommended to increase the spacing haphazardly as it
causes considerable reduction in the application rate. The sprinkler spacing should be selected on the basis of the type of
soil and water requirement of crop. If low pressure is available such sprinkler spacing should be selected that gives better
uniformity and application rate at that pressure. If high pressure from the water source is available then it is economically
feasible to have a wider spacing as lower number of micro sprinklers will be required and also it would also give better
uniformity at high pressure. If the micro sprinkler is to be operated where the soil has high infiltration rate then it can be
operated at higher pressures of 2.5 kg/cm2 so that Christiansens uniformity in range of more than 85% can be obtained.
However, if the micro sprinklers are to be installed where the soil has low infiltration rate then operating pressure should
be selected in such a way that water ponding does not occur and loss of water is minimum
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Keller, J. and Bliesner, R.D. (1990). Sprinkle and Trickle Irrigation. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, USA., Pages: 652.

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Singh R, Kale M, Chandra A (2001). Performance evaluation of micro jets in micro irrigation design. Central Board of
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Siosemarde, M. and Byzedi, M. (2012). Studying of Sprinkler Irrigation Uniformity. World Academy of Science, Engineering
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Tarjuelo, J.M. ,Montero,J., Honrubia, F.T.,Ortiz, J.J. and Ortega J.F. (1999). Analysis of uniformity of sprinkle irrigation in
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