In the field of agricultural irrigation, center pivot irrigation machines have become the ideal choice for many farmers and agricultural enterprises due to their high - efficiency, water - saving features, and high degree of automation. When configuring an irrigation machine, the selection of the pipe diameter is crucial as it directly affects the performance, energy consumption, and cost of the irrigation system. Today, we will discuss in depth how to choose between a 168mm pipe diameter and a 219mm pipe diameter in a center pivot irrigation machine.
Flow Requirements are Key
The size of the pipe diameter first depends on the flow requirements of the irrigation system. Flow requirements are closely related to the irrigation area, crop water requirements, and irrigation time. Simply put, the larger the irrigation area and the higher the crop water requirements, the greater the required flow. Generally, a 168mm diameter pipe can meet the flow requirements of a smaller - area farmland within a reasonable flow velocity range. While a 219mm diameter pipe is more suitable for large - area farmland, as it can deliver a larger flow of water, ensuring sufficient irrigation for more land within the same time.
Pressure Loss Must be Considered
During the transportation of water through the pipeline, pressure loss will occur due to pipeline friction, elbows, valves, etc. The smaller the pipe diameter, the higher the flow velocity under the same flow rate, and the greater the pressure loss. If the pressure loss is too large, it will lead to insufficient pressure at the nozzle, affecting the spraying effect, such as uneven spraying and shortened range. The 168mm diameter pipe has a relatively large pressure loss during long - distance transportation or when there is a high - flow demand. The 219mm diameter pipe, due to its larger inner diameter and lower flow velocity, has a smaller pressure loss, which can better ensure the stable operation of the entire irrigation system.
Cost Factors Cannot be Ignored
Cost is a factor that cannot be ignored when choosing the pipe diameter, including the cost of pipes, installation costs, and long - term operating costs. The 219mm diameter pipe has a relatively high price due to the large amount of materials used, and may also require larger equipment and more labor during installation, so the installation cost will also increase. However, due to its small pressure loss, it can reduce energy consumption during operation. In the long run, for large - area irrigation projects, it may save operating costs instead. The 168mm diameter pipe has a relatively low initial investment, but if the flow demand is large, it may require a higher operating pressure, resulting in increased energy consumption, and the long - term operating cost may not be low.
Case Analysis
Suppose there are two farmlands. Farmland A has an area of 66.7 hectares and grows corn, and corn has a high daily water demand during the peak growth season. Farmland B has an area of 33.3 hectares and grows vegetables, and vegetables have a relatively small water demand and pay more attention to irrigation uniformity. So analysis of Easton Irrigation Machinery company: For Farmland A, if a 168mm diameter center pivot irrigation machine is selected, in order to meet the flow demand, it may be necessary to increase the head and power of the water pump. This not only increases the equipment cost but also significantly increases the operating energy consumption. Moreover, due to the large pressure loss, it may not be possible to ensure uniform irrigation across the entire farmland. On the contrary, choosing a 219mm diameter pipe, although the initial investment increases, can stably provide a large - flow of water and ensure the irrigation effect. From the perspective of long - term operating costs, it is more economical. For Farmland B, due to its small area and relatively low water demand, a 168mm diameter irrigation machine can meet the demand, and the cost is low, and installation and maintenance are more convenient.
To sum up, when choosing the pipe diameter of a center pivot irrigation machine, there is no absolute advantage or disadvantage. Both 168mm and 219mm diameter pipes have their applicable scenarios. It is necessary to comprehensively consider various factors such as irrigation area, crop water demand, pressure loss, and cost to make the decision that best suits your agricultural project. Only in this way can the irrigation system achieve maximum efficiency and realize the goals of high - efficiency, water - saving, and low - cost irrigation. Welcome to contact EASTON company for more information.
