Rapid prototyping and flow simulation applications in design of agricultural irrigation equipment: Case study for a sample in-line drip emitter

Abstract

In this study, a 3D CAD solid model of a sample agricultural irrigation emitter was created and the flow behaviour was simulated in its labyrinth channels by using a flow simulation technique. Referenced by the original design, the channel geometry was modified and the emitter was re-fabricated using rapid prototyping/additive manufacturing techniques. The flow behaviour is then re-investigated based on the re-shaped channel geometry of the labyrinth structure. The predetermined optimum pressure in the pipe was validated experimentally for both the original design and modified designs. As a result, the optimum pressure in the pipe and the flow characteristics for original both the design and modified designs of the emitter were validated. This study contributes to further research into the development of agricultural irrigation equipment aided through the utilisation of additive manufacturing and computer aided engineering tools.

Modeling and Simulation of the Transient Response of Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensors with and without Protective Housing

“…Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are increasingly used to predict various issues in agriculture and food processing [1] – [5] . The performance of agribusiness or agricultural processes depends on the heat exchange between air and water and the products or animals, and, therefore, on the spatial distribution of air parameters, such as speed, turbulence, temperature and relative humidity [6] – [8] .…”

Analytical model for predicting activation pressure and flow rate of pressure-compensating inline drip emitters and its use in low-pressure emitter design

“…However, there is limited literature characterizing the physics of inline PC emitters parametrically. To the authors' knowledge, the design of PC emitters in industry occurs largely by trial-and-error and is heavily based on modifications of existing, previously proven commercial designs (Celik et al 2011). Most academic research on inline emitters has focused on non-PC versions (Fig.…”

Prediction of Pressure–Discharge Curves of Trapezoidal Labyrinth Channels from Nonlinear Regression and Artificial Neural Networks

“…Discussion period open until October 20, 2020; separate discussions must be submitted for individual papers. This paper is part of the Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, © ASCE, ISSN 0733-9437. emitters involves the manufacturing and testing of several prototypes until a prototype with the desired characteristics is obtained, increasing the time and cost for the development of a new dripper (Celik et al 2011). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been a useful tool in the study of flow characteristics and particle transport in labyrinth channels of drippers (Al-Muhammad et al 2018;Feng et al 2018;Haosu et al 2016;Yu et al 2019Yu et al , 2018.…”