Use of floater valves to provide a constant inlet flow in furrow irrigation.

Due to the fact that a large number of farms are equipped with surface irrigation systems, the proper design and use of these systems increases their efficiency, which is of particular importance due to the current water crisis. In this context, it is possible to use models and tools that increase efficiency and reduce water wastage in these irrigation systems and achieve even higher efficiency than pressurized irrigation. Among the tools used in this field, we can mention floater valves. The performance of furrow irrigation is highly dependent on the inflow. One of the irrigation methods in this system is irrigation with constant inflow. To stabilize and create this state in the furrows, a flow stabilizing set is used at the head of the fields. One of these sets includes a stabilization tank with an overflow and a pump. Disadvantages of this method include excess water overflow from the tank and its wastage, as well as the need for excess energy for the pump. In this study, for solving these problems, the use of floating valves has been investigated to provide a constant inflow in furrow irrigation. For this purpose, a concrete platform was constructed on which the water storage sources were placed. A hydraulic slope was provided with a height difference of about 30 cm to transfer water from them to the flow stabilization tank. Inside the stabilization tank, two two-inch brass floating valves were used to stabilize the water level. Numerous field experiments and evaluations have shown that a height difference of 30 cm, before completely draining water from water storage sources, stabilizes the maximum inflow of 2.2 and the minimum of 1.3 L per second into the tank. Floating valves keep the water level inside the stabilization tank constant at a height of 50 cm from the outlet center of the stabilization tank with inflow of 0.8 L per second. Measurement of the inflow to the furrows by flow measuring instruments (flume) also confirmed that the intensity of the inflow to the furrows was always constant throughout the test. The main purpose of this study was to create a constant input flow in irrigation systems, especially furrow irrigation, using simple mechanical tools that can be used by all farmers. Also, reducing water loss in farms and water management in the field with the approach of reducing energy consumption is important. These goals were investigated during 60 furrow irrigation operations, and measurements showed that they could be achieved by gravity-free energy provided the minimum water head was observed and mechanical tools such as valves were used. Therefore, considering the importance of inflow in furrow irrigation, according to the results of this research, it is possible to use mechanical and piping tools, including valves, etc., in the facilities at the head of the farm to control the water entering the furrow, and one of these tools is a floater valve. In the furrow irrigation method with constant input flow rate, in order to reduce water wastage and also reduce energy costs in secondary pumping, a mechanical set that stabilizes the flow with the help of gravity energy can be used. This issue is very important due to the reduction of energy consumption and production of greenhouse gases, as well as the reduction of water wastage in the current water crisis. Therefore, the innovation presented in this current manuscript has economic, environmental, social and etc. importance.