Simulating wind effect on microsprinkler water distribution

Abstract

Wind incidence can affect microsprinkler water distribution. Evaluations of those conditions can be facilitated using simulations by computational models. The present work evaluates the performance of a ballistic model on simulating the wind effect on microsprinkler water distribution. Experimental tests were carried out using self-compensating microsprinklers, nozzle sizes 1.00 mm (gray), 1.10 mm (brown), 1.48 mm (orange), and 1.75 mm (yellow). The gray and brown nozzles used black swivels and the orange and yellow nozzles used blue swivels. The wind effect was artificially caused by fourteen 200 W fans. Computational simulations were realized using SIRIAS software, based on a ballistic model originally developed for sprinkler systems. The correlation coefficients (r) varied from 0.619 to 0.880, while the exactness coefficients (d) varied from 0.842 to 0.944. Swivels internal geometry influenced results. Tested models presented performances classified as very good for the black swivel nozzles and regular for the blue swivel nozzles.