Micro-Spray Irrigation System and Equipment

Micro-sprinkler irrigation is a method of irrigation that sprays water onto the soil surface with small flow rates through a low-pressure pipeline system. It is a new watering technology gradually formed on the basis of drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. When using the micro-spray irrigation system, water flows out at a relatively high speed through the nozzle of the micro-sprinkler head, forming fine droplets that fall onto the soil surface under the action of air, moistening the soil. Due to the larger diameter and flow rate (or working pressure) of the micro-sprinkler head outlet compared to the drip irrigation emitter, clogging is greatly reduced.

Micro-spray irrigation system is mainly suitable for ground irrigation or other irrigation methods that are difficult to guarantee for facility horticulture crop cultivation. It can regulate indoor temperature and humidity, and clean the dust on leaves.

Components of the Micro-spray Irrigation System

The micro-spray irrigation system is composed of a water source, control center, pipeline network system, and micro-sprinkler heads.

Water Source

The water source for the micro-spray irrigation system should be surface water or groundwater that meets the water quality requirements for agricultural irrigation.

Control Center

The control center is the main hub of the micro-spray irrigation system. Its function is to draw water from the water source and send it into the pipeline system, and to control the water quantity, quality, and pressure according to the requirements of the micro-spray irrigation system. The control center mainly includes equipment such as water pumps, power engines, filters, fertilizer tanks, valves, pressure gauges, and water meters.

Equipment of the Micro-spray Irrigation System

Micro-sprinkler Head

It is an important component of the micro-spray irrigation system, directly related to the spraying quality and the reliable operation of the entire system. The unique aspect of micro-sprinkler irrigation, compared to sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation, lies not only in factors like working pressure but also in the structural performance of the micro-sprinkler head, which differs from the sprinkler head of sprinkler irrigation and the emitter of drip irrigation. According to the existing structural forms and working principles of micro-sprinkler heads, they can generally be divided into four types: rotary, centrifugal, refractive, and slotted. The most commonly used are the refractive and rotary types.

Filtration Device

Compared to drip irrigation systems, the micro-spray irrigation system is less prone to clogging, but problems still exist and should be given great attention. Clogging reduces the efficiency and uniformity of the system and can even cause missed spraying. The micro-spray irrigation system has lower water quality purification requirements than drip irrigation systems. The mesh size of the filter and the particle size of the filter should be selected based on the water quality conditions.

Pipe Fittings

Pipe fittings are components that connect pipelines into a network. The types and specifications of pipelines are different, and the pipe fittings used are not the same. There are many pipe fittings needed for the micro-spray irrigation system, such as equal diameter or reducing tees required for the connection of main pipes and branch pipes, as well as valves that need to be set to control the flow into the branch pipes; reducing tees, equal diameter tees, reducing joints, and other fittings needed for the connection of branch pipes and capillary pipes; bypass valves, reducing pipe joints, elbows, plugs, and other fittings needed for the connection of capillary pipes and micro-sprinkler heads. The materials of the pipe fittings are mostly plastic, but can also be processed from steel pipes.