Advanced Pressurized Irrigation

Systems
EiT-M, School of Civil Engineering, IEC
March, 2020
 CHAPTER ONE

PRESSURIZED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS:

CONCEPTS AND TYPES
Contents
• Pressurized irrigation system concepts
• Classification
• Component parts of pressurized irrigation system
• Comparison of pressurized irrigation systems
Objectives
• At the end of the chapter, students will be able to :
• Understand the basic differences between traditional and pressurized
irrigation systems
Pressurized irrigation systems concepts(PIS)
• A pressure piped irrigation system is a network installation consisting of pipes, fittings and
other devices properly designed and installed to supply water under pressure from the source
of water to the irrigable area.
• The basic differences between traditional and Pressurized/piped irrigation techniques are:
1. The water flow regime: size of the stream
• Surface methods-large
• Pressure piped irrigation systems- very small flows, even 1m3/sec
2. The route direction of the flow: conveyance system
• Surface methods- open canals and ditches by gravity
• Pressurized system- closed pipes by pressure following the most convenient (shortest
route), regardless of the slope and topography of the area
PIS cont’d
3. Area irrigated simultaneously: water applied
• Surface methods: large volumes per unit area,
• Pressurized irrigation system: small rates over large area
4. External energy (pressure required):
• Surface methods: do not need external energy for operation
• Pressurized irrigation system: require a certain pressure, 2 – 3 bars, which is provided from a
pumping unit or from a supply tank situated at a high point
PIS cont’d
5. Irrigation efficiency
• In open canal distribution networks, the water losses are
estimated at up to 40 % in unlined ditches and up to 25%
in lined canals.
• In open canals, the irrigation application efficiency
ranges from 45% to a maximum of 60 %

• In pressurized systems, the water

losses range from 10% in localized
micro-irrigation to 30 % in
overhead conventional sprinkler.
• Water losses can be minimized and
an irrigation efficiency of 75-95
% can be achieved.
PIS cont’d
6. Economic return per unit of water
• Piped systems facilitate the manipulation of the irrigation water under more favorable
conditions than do open canals. This can result in a yield increase of 10-45% and an
improvement in quality.
7. Operation and maintenance (O&M)
• Man-hours needed in the piped systems range from 1/10 to 1/4 of those required for open
canals.
• Any person can easily operate the piped systems, while in canal irrigation require skilled labor.
• Expensive operations are carried out in canal system to prevent damage caused by roots;
seepage through banks; spread of weeds; siltation and sedimentation; clogging of outlets and
gates etc.
• In the piped systems, no maintenance or continuous repair of constructions is required. The
complete piped system requires a yearly maintenance costing about 5 percent of the initial
investment.
PIS cont’d
8. Cost
• The initial capital investment for the application of these techniques varies according to the
method of irrigation and the type of installation.
• The cost of the solid installations for localized methods is higher than that of the semi-
portable hand move sprinkler systems and the piped networks for surface methods.
• The design complexity and the multiplicity of costly equipment is only apparent
Table 1:comparative costs of piped irrigation systems
Piped surface Sprinkler conventional Micro irrigation
method hand move solid installation
Area (ha) 1 1–2 2–3 1 1–2 2–3 1 1 -2 2–3
Installation cost (US$/ha) 1700 1600 1400 2800 2700 2100 3950 3300 3000
Annual maintenance cost (US$/ha) 85 80 70 140 135 105 200 165 150
Classification of PIS
• Pressurized irrigation systems
are classified according to:
• Pressure required for
operation
• Methods delivering water to
plants
• Type of installation
Main component parts of PIS
• In all pressurized irrigation systems the
main component parts are:
• The control head station (head
control unit)
• The mains and submains (pipelines)
• The hydrants
• The manifolds (feeder pipeline)
• The laterals (irrigating pipelines)
with emitters/nozzles

The control station or head control unit

• This consists of a supply line (PVC, or threaded galvanized steel) installed horizontally at a
minimum height (60 cm) above ground.
• It is equipped with air release valve a check valve, fertilizer injector, a shut off valve
between the two outlets and a filter.
Main component parts of PIS
The mains and submains
• Main pipeline: it is the largest diameter pipeline of the network, capable of conveying the
flow of the system under favorable hydraulic conditions of flow velocity and friction losses.
Pipes are buried permanent assembly rigid PVC, black high density polyethylene (HDPE),
• Submains: these are smaller diameter pipelines which extend from the mainlines and to
which the flow system is diverted for distribution to the various plots. The pies are the same
kind as the mains.
• Offtake hydrants: these are fitted on the submains or the mains and equipped with a 2 – 3
inches shut-off valve. They deliver the whole or part of the flow to the manifolds (feeder
lines).
• The manifolds (feeder pipelines): pipelines of a smaller diameter than the submains and
are connected to the hydrants and laid, usually on the surface, along the plot edges to feed
the laterals. They can be any of any kind of pipe available (usually HDPE) in sizes of 2 – 3
inches
Main component parts of PIS
The laterals (irrigating pipelines) with emitters
• Laterals: these are the smallest diameter pipelines of the system. They are fitted to the
manifolds, perpendicular to them, at fixed positions, laid along the plants rows and
equipped with water emitters at fixed frequent spacings.
• Emitters: A water emitter for irrigation is a device of any kind, type and size which, fitted
on a pipe is operated under pressure to discharge water in any form: by shooting water jets
in to the air(sprinklers), by small spray or mist (sprayers), by continuous drops (drippers),
by small stream of fountain (bubblers, gates and openings on pipes, small diameter hoses),
etc.
Comparison of pressurized irrigation systems
Drip irrigation vs sprinkler irrigation
Drip irrigation system Sprinkler irrigation system
Employ fertilizers effectively You can use solvable fertilizers and chemicals
Dripping valves are found Spray guns and nozzles are involved
It wets only the root area It wets some plants by moistening the area of the circle
Checks the disease that develop due to water contact No such issue in the sprinkler system
Efficacy and effectiveness are higher Evaporation and runoff are higher
Meant for watering small areas or plants Suitable for large and flat areas
Favors definite watering schedule Involves extensive amount of water
Comparison of pressurized irrigation systems
Comparison of irrigation systems