ABSTRACT
The hydraulic performance of Rain Bird drip tape was evaluated. The drip tape is made of flexible polyethylene with 225 microns wall thickness and long path emitters spaced at 0,30m. The drip tape was tested with different inlet pressures to determine the hydraulic characteristics: coefficient of manufacturing variation, emitter flow equation, rupture resistance, friction head loss equation, friction head loss factor and maximum lateral length. The average coefficient of manufacturing variation was 1,97% and turbulent flow was observed on the emitter (discharge exponent 0,4563). The internal diameter of drip tape increased with the increase in pressure and the rupture resistance failed at 206,0kPa. The value of friction head loss factor decreased as the pressure increased to the same number of emitters. The maximum lateral length obtained by the statistical approach was found to be highly dependent on the inlet pressure head, the slope of the lateral and the coefficient of variation of pressure head along the lateral line.
Key words:
irrigation; hydraulic; drip tape