A method and system for testing the anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation pipes

Abstract

This invention provides a method and system for testing the anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation pipes, belonging to the field of drip irrigation pipe testing technology. It includes a storage tank for storing experimental water, with the outlet of the storage tank connected to the inlet of a water pump. The outlet of the water pump is connected to several drip irrigation pipes via a supply pipeline. Several drippers are installed on the drip irrigation pipes for discharging experimental water. Each drip irrigation pipe has a receiving trough at its bottom for collecting the experimental water. The receiving trough is connected to the storage tank via a recovery pipeline to collect the experimental water back into the storage tank. The supply pipeline is connected to several drip irrigation pipes via branch pipes, and the several receiving troughs are connected to the recovery pipeline via collection pipes. This invention can quickly and accurately test the anti-clogging performance of drippers of different types and structural parameters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drip irrigation pipe testing technology, specifically to a method and system for testing the anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation pipes. Background Technology

[0002] In sections of the Yellow River with extremely high sediment content, even after multi-stage filtration, a large number of particles smaller than 76 μm still enter the drip irrigation system. The narrow flow channels and inlet / outlet cross-sections of the drippers make them highly susceptible to clogging by sediment or organic impurities in the water. Therefore, dripper clogging is a major limiting factor for drip irrigation using Yellow River water. Many scholars have studied the effects of Yellow River sediment particle size distribution, fertilizer concentration and type, as well as the surface characteristics of Yellow River sediment and the growth and activity of microorganisms on dripper clogging, attempting to reveal the inducing mechanism of dripper clogging and explore the main ways to mitigate or prevent it.

[0003] However, current anti-clogging strategies for drip irrigation systems have not been very effective. The reason for this is that there is still a lack of in-depth and systematic understanding of the clogging mechanism of drippers and drip irrigation systems. Therefore, a large number of drip irrigation simulation experiments are necessary for the study of drip irrigation clogging. A convenient and accurate dripper anti-clogging test platform is an important tool for the study of dripper clogging strategies. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method and system for testing the anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation pipes, which can quickly, accurately and in large quantities test the anti-clogging performance of drippers of different types and structural parameters.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A method for testing the anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation pipes, applied to several drip irrigation pipes that supply liquid simultaneously, includes step S1, obtaining several consecutive total flow rates q of the drip irrigation pipes to form a flow rate set A1, and calculating the mean of the elements in the flow rate set A1 to generate an effective total flow rate Q.

[0007] Step S2, obtain the theoretical total flow rate q0 of the drip irrigation pipe, according to the formula: = (q0-Q) / q0×100%, calculate the flow attenuation rate ΔQ;

[0008] Step S3: Determine whether the flow attenuation rate ΔQ exceeds the attenuation threshold. No, proceed to step S2; yes, n=0, trigger the pre-alarm state.

[0009] Step S4: Receive the next flow attenuation rate ΔQ and determine whether it meets the condition ΔQ≥ -2%, no, n=0, jump to step S4, yes, n=n+1; where n is the number of consecutive times the flow attenuation rate ΔQ meets the condition;

[0010] Step S5: Determine if n equals 3. If no, proceed to step S4. If yes, provide feedback on effective blockage of the drip irrigation tube and end the experiment.

[0011] Furthermore, in step S1, calculating the effective total flow Q includes removing outliers, sequentially calculating the deviation value of each element in the flow set A1 from the corresponding effective total flow Q, determining whether all deviation values ​​are below the deviation threshold. If not, remove the elements in the flow set A1 that exceed the deviation threshold and recalculate the effective total flow Q. If yes, there is no need to recalculate the effective total flow Q.

[0012] Furthermore, step S1 includes determining whether the total flow rate q is lower than the minimum flow rate threshold. If yes, an abnormal blockage has occurred; stop data collection for that drip irrigation pipe and compile the blockage monitoring records for each dripper in the drip irrigation pipe; otherwise, do nothing.

[0013] Furthermore, after step S2, it includes determining whether the flow attenuation rate ΔQ exceeds a preset number. If yes, step S3 is executed; otherwise, step S3 is not executed.

[0014] Furthermore, step S3 includes obtaining several consecutive flow attenuation rates. Generate a set of traffic decay rates A2, and calculate the traffic decay trend k using the formula:

[0015] ,

[0016] in, Let m represent the number of elements in the decay rate set A2 at time i. This represents the average value of all elements in the decay rate set A2 over the corresponding time period. This represents the mean of all elements in the decay rate set A2.

[0017] Furthermore, before step S4, the method includes: determining whether the current attenuation trend k is greater than the critical slope k. crit No, proceed to step S4; yes, stop the test.

[0018] A drip irrigation pipe anti-clogging performance testing system is provided to implement any of the above-described drip irrigation pipe anti-clogging performance testing methods. The system includes a storage tank for storing experimental water, the outlet of the storage tank is connected to the inlet of a water pump, the outlet of the water pump is connected to a plurality of drip irrigation pipes through a supply pipeline, the plurality of drippers for discharging experimental water are provided on the plurality of drip irrigation pipes, and a water receiving tank for collecting experimental water is provided below each drip irrigation pipe. The water receiving tank is connected to the storage tank through a recovery pipeline to recover the experimental water to the storage tank.

[0019] The liquid supply pipeline is connected to several drip irrigation pipes through a branch pipe, and the several water collection tanks are connected to the recovery pipeline through a water collection pipe.

[0020] Furthermore, the experimental water is turbid water containing mud and sand, and the storage tank is equipped with a stirring motor.

[0021] Furthermore, the testing system includes a control unit PLC that is electrically connected to the water pump via a frequency converter. The control unit PLC is electrically connected to a pressure sensor installed at the water pump outlet and an electromagnetic flow meter installed on the liquid supply pipeline. The control unit PLC controls the water pump operation based on the hydraulic value collected by the pressure sensor to ensure the hydraulic pressure in the drip irrigation pipe is stable.

[0022] The advantages and positive effects of this invention are:

[0023] By setting up a liquid storage tank connected to multiple drip irrigation pipes, and using the same turbid water to supply liquid to multiple drip irrigation pipes simultaneously during the experiment, this test method can quickly, accurately, and in large quantities test the anti-clogging performance of drippers of different types and structural parameters.

[0024] During the experiment, when the total flow rate q of a certain drip irrigation tube is less than the minimum flow rate threshold, the experiment for that group of drip irrigation tubes is terminated, and the clogging monitoring records of the drippers at each position on the drip irrigation tube are analyzed; the effective total flow rate Q of the drip irrigation tube is calculated, the flow rate decay rate ΔQ is calculated based on the effective total flow rate Q, and the flow rate decay trend k is calculated, and important experimental data are recorded.

[0025] When the attenuation trend k of the drip irrigation tube is higher than the normal value, it indicates that the clogging rate of the drip irrigation tube is abnormal. The experiment of this group of drip irrigation tubes should be terminated, and the degree of clogging of the drippers at each position on the drip irrigation tube should be detected and important experimental data should be recorded.

[0026] When the single flow attenuation rate ΔQ exceeds the attenuation threshold When the alarm is triggered, it continuously judges whether there are three consecutive flow attenuation rates ΔQ that all satisfy ΔQ≥η−2%. If so, it indicates effective blockage, the experiment ends, and the degree of blockage of the drippers at each position on the drip irrigation pipe is detected.

[0027] Based on the total flow rate q, flow rate decay rate ΔQ, and decay trend k, the drip irrigation pipe that experiences abnormal operating conditions (abnormal blockage rate) during the experiment can be quickly identified, and the experiment on that drip irrigation pipe can be terminated in a timely manner. This method can efficiently and accurately collect experimental data of the drip irrigation pipe under the same experimental conditions (turbid water of the same concentration and supply liquid pressure), under different abnormal and normal operating conditions, thereby improving the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the experimental results. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a drip irrigation pipe anti-clogging performance testing system according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or may have a component in between. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may have a component in between. When a component is described as "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or may have a component in between. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0033] This invention provides a drip irrigation pipe anti-clogging performance testing system, such as... Figure 1As shown, it includes a storage tank for storing experimental water. The outlet of the storage tank is connected to the inlet of a water pump. The outlet of the water pump is connected to several drip irrigation pipes through a supply pipeline. Several drippers are provided on the drip irrigation pipes for the experimental water to flow out. Each drip irrigation pipe has a water receiving tank at the bottom for collecting experimental water. The water receiving tank is connected to the storage tank through a recycling pipeline to recycle the experimental water back to the storage tank.

[0034] The supply pipeline is connected to several drip irrigation tubes via branch pipes, and several water collection tanks are connected to the recovery pipeline via collection pipes, so as to simultaneously supply experimental water to multiple drip irrigation tubes and simultaneously recover experimental water collected from multiple water collection tanks. Several drip irrigation tubes between the branch pipes and the collection pipe constitute one experimental sample. By using multiple sets of supply pipelines and branch pipe combinations, multiple experimental samples can be set up simultaneously for synchronous experiments, improving experimental efficiency.

[0035] One embodiment of this application is as follows: the outlet of the water pump is connected to two liquid supply pipelines respectively, each liquid supply pipeline is connected to several drip irrigation pipes through a corresponding branch pipe, and a water receiving tank is provided below each drip irrigation pipe. The water receiving tank simultaneously recovers experimental water through a water collection pipe.

[0036] The experimental water was turbid water containing mud and sand. A stirring motor was installed on the storage tank to maintain the turbidity of the water during the experiment, thus improving accuracy. Ball valves were installed at the outlet of the storage tank and the inlet of the drip irrigation pipe to limit the flow rate of the experimental water in the corresponding pipelines.

[0037] The testing system includes a control unit PLC that is electrically connected to the water pump via a frequency converter. The control unit PLC is electrically connected to a pressure sensor installed at the water pump outlet, an electromagnetic flow meter installed on the liquid supply pipeline, and a stirring motor. The control unit PLC controls the water pump operation based on the hydraulic value collected by the pressure sensor to ensure the stability of the hydraulic pressure in the drip irrigation pipe.

[0038] Specifically, the process involves receiving the hydraulic pressure value from the water pump outlet, comparing the hydraulic pressure value with a hydraulic pressure threshold, decreasing the frequency of the inverter if the value is greater than the threshold, increasing the frequency of the inverter if the value is less than the threshold, and maintaining the frequency of the inverter if the value is equal to the threshold.

[0039] The control unit (PLC) continuously controls the motor's electrical operation to ensure the turbidity of the experimental water. The PLC continuously monitors the total flow rate of several drip irrigation pipes (one test sample) using an electromagnetic flowmeter, and determines the clogging rate of the drip irrigation pipes based on changes in the total flow rate. When the clogging rate of the drip irrigation pipes exceeds the maximum clogging threshold, the experiment for that test sample is stopped.

[0040] Pressure sensors and electromagnetic flowmeters on different liquid supply lines are all electrically connected to the monitoring recorder. The monitoring recorder receives, displays, and stores the hydraulic pressure and total flow rate values ​​collected by the electromagnetic flowmeters and pressure sensors, allowing researchers to intuitively observe changes in hydraulic pressure and flow rate. One embodiment of this application uses waveform graphs to represent changes in hydraulic pressure and total flow rate.

[0041] A method for testing the anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation pipes, wherein the clogging condition of the drip irrigation pipe is represented by the reduction in actual flow rate of all drippers compared to their theoretical flow rate. First, the number of drippers in the test drip irrigation pipe is counted, and then the theoretical flow rate of the entire test drip irrigation pipe is calculated. Under clean water conditions, the actual flow rate is calibrated using an electromagnetic flowmeter to obtain the theoretical total flow rate q0. After calibration, the anti-clogging performance test is conducted using a sediment-rich water source, and the real-time flow rate of the drip irrigation pipe is measured over a certain period of time.

[0042] The testing method includes step S1, obtaining several consecutive total flow rates q from the drip irrigation pipe to form a flow rate set A1, and calculating the mean of the elements in the flow rate set A1 to generate an effective total flow rate Q;

[0043] Step S2, obtain the theoretical total flow rate q0 of the drip irrigation pipe, according to the formula: = (q0-Q) / q0×100%, calculate the flow attenuation rate ΔQ;

[0044] Step S3: Determine whether the flow attenuation rate ΔQ exceeds the attenuation threshold. No, proceed to step S2; yes, n=0, trigger the pre-alarm state.

[0045] Step S4: Receive the next flow attenuation rate ΔQ and determine whether it meets the condition ΔQ≥ -2%, No, n=0, jump to step S4, Yes, n=n+1; where n is the flow attenuation rate ΔQ meets the condition ΔQ≥ -2% of consecutive times;

[0046] set up The -2% condition essentially sets a tolerance band. If only ΔQ ≥ η (i.e., strictly using the threshold) is required, the system may be overly sensitive to small fluctuations, leading to frequent false alarms. By relaxing the condition to η - 2%, the system allows the flow attenuation rate to drop slightly, but as long as it remains close to the threshold (i.e., the congestion trend has not fundamentally eased), it continues counting. This improves the stability of the judgment and avoids misjudgments caused by random noise. The condition ΔQ ≥ η - 2% requires the flow attenuation rate to remain at a "high" level, indicating that the congestion problem has not eased on its own. If ΔQ falls below η - 2%, the system resets the count (n=0), considering it a temporary fluctuation.

[0047] The 2% value is set as a reasonable fluctuation range based on experimental data and field experience. In drip irrigation tube experimental testing, the flow rate decay rate typically changes slowly, and a 2% tolerance can effectively distinguish between actual blockage and normal fluctuations.

[0048] Here, n=n+1 is an assignment statement in the programming algorithm logic, which means to add 1 to the current value of variable n and then assign it to n itself.

[0049] Step S5: Determine if n equals 3. If no, proceed to step S4. If yes, provide feedback on effective blockage of the drip irrigation tube and end the experiment.

[0050] In step S1, the total flow rate q collected by the electromagnetic flowmeter is acquired at a frequency of 1Hz (once per second), and the number of total flow rates q is recorded. When 10 total flow rates q are continuously received, they are combined into a flow rate set A1, and the mean of all elements in the flow rate set A1 is calculated to generate the effective total flow rate Q. In one embodiment of this application, the mean of the time corresponding to the 10 total flow rates q is the time of the effective total flow rate Q.

[0051] Step S1, calculating the effective total flow Q, includes removing outliers. It involves sequentially calculating the deviation of each element in flow set A1 from the effective total flow Q, and determining whether all deviations are below a deviation threshold. If no, it indicates the presence of an abnormal total flow q within flow set A1. Elements exceeding the deviation threshold in flow set A1 are removed, and the effective total flow is recalculated. If yes, it indicates no abnormal total flow q exists, and recalculation of the effective total flow is unnecessary. One embodiment of this application uses a deviation threshold of ±20%, meaning elements in flow set A1 are either above or below the effective total flow Q by ±20%.

[0052] Step S1 includes determining whether the total flow rate q is lower than the minimum flow rate threshold. Yes, this indicates that the pipeline of the test sample has suddenly become severely blocked, which is an abnormal operating condition in the experiment. Subsequent experimental results are no longer relevant. Data collection for this drip irrigation pipe should be stopped, and the blockage monitoring records for each dripper within the drip irrigation pipe should be statistically analyzed. This will facilitate the determination of the cause of the abnormal operating condition by combining the flow data and sampling results collected before the end of the experiment (timely stopping of the experiment with this drip irrigation pipe avoids the collection of erroneous experimental data, while recording the distribution of blockages on each dripper in this abnormal operating condition to obtain experimental data leading to different operating conditions of the drip irrigation pipe, facilitating the analysis of the cause); No, no action is taken. When multiple test samples are tested simultaneously, severe blockage in one test sample does not affect the normal testing of other test samples. The formula for calculating the minimum flow threshold is: =q0×50%. Where q0 represents the theoretical total flow.

[0053] In step S2, for each valid total flow Q generated, the corresponding flow attenuation rate is calculated. That is, the flow attenuation rate is calculated every 10 seconds. .

[0054] Following step S2, it involves determining whether the flow attenuation rate ΔQ exceeds a preset number. If yes, step S3 is executed; otherwise, step S3 is not executed. Since there is a "stabilization period" before the experiment begins, data from this period is not used for judgment. Therefore, the experiment start time is determined by the flow attenuation rate ΔQ. In one embodiment of this application, the 5 minutes before the experiment begins constitute the stabilization period, and the flow attenuation rate ΔQ is 300.

[0055] Step S3 includes obtaining several consecutive flow attenuation rates. A set of flow decay rates A2 is generated. The changing trends between elements in set A2 are calculated to generate the flow decay trend k. The formula for calculating the flow decay trend k is:

[0056] ,

[0057] in, Let m represent the number of elements in the decay rate set A2 at time i. This represents the average value of all elements in the decay rate set A2 over the corresponding time period. This represents the mean of all elements in the decay rate set A2.

[0058] Before step S4, the following steps are included: determining whether the current decay trend k is greater than the critical slope k. crit If no, it indicates a slow increase in the blockage rate (slow decrease in flow), and the test can proceed normally, jumping to step S4. If yes, it indicates a rapid increase in the blockage rate, with abnormal blockage occurring in the pipeline (a sharp decrease in flow), providing feedback on the rapid worsening of the blockage and stopping the experiment. One embodiment of this application is: critical slope k. crit= The flow rate should be 0.5% / min, and the flow rate attenuation rate per minute should not exceed 0.5%.

[0059] Method for determining the clogging level of drip irrigation pipes: The determination is based on the percentage decrease in real-time flow rate of the drip irrigation pipe compared to the calibration flow rate (theoretical flow rate q0) under clean water conditions. A percentage of the effective total flow rate Q relative to the theoretical total flow rate q0 of 95% or higher is defined as no clogging; 80%–95% as slight clogging; 50%–80% as moderate clogging; 20%–50% as severe clogging; and below 20% as complete clogging. Under different clogging levels, the specific clogging status of each dripper within the drip irrigation pipe is statistically analyzed, and their distribution locations are analyzed. Line graphs or bar charts showing the change in dripper flow rate over time are generated, creating a monitoring record of the clogging behavior at each dripper location.

[0060] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the content described is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and improvements made within the scope of the present invention should still fall within the scope of this patent.

Claims

1. A method of testing the anti-clogging performance of a drip irrigation pipe, characterized in that, The application is applied to a plurality of drip pipes for synchronous liquid supply, comprising the steps of: S1, obtaining a plurality of continuous total flow rates q of the drip pipes respectively to form a flow rate set A1, and calculating the mean value of the elements in the flow rate set A1 to generate an effective total flow rate Q; Step S2, the theoretical total flow q0 of the drip irrigation pipe is obtained, and the flow decay rate AQ is calculated according to the formula: = (q0-Q) / q0x100%. Step S3, judging whether the flow rate decay rate ΔQ exceeds a decay threshold value , No, jump to step S2, Yes, n=0, triggering a pre-alarm state; Step S4, receiving next flow attenuation rate AQ and judging whether AQ≥ -2%, no, n=0, jump to step S4, yes, n=n+1; wherein, n is the continuous number of times that the flow attenuation rate AQ meets the condition. S5, determining whether n is equal to 3, if not, jumping to step S4, and if yes, giving feedback of effective clogging of the drip pipe and ending the experiment; The performance test method further comprises: under different clogging levels, respectively counting the specific clogging conditions of each dripper in the drip pipe, analyzing the distribution positions, making a broken line graph or a column graph of the flow rate of the dripper changing with time, and forming a monitoring record of the clogging behavior of the dripper position of each drip pipe.

2. The method of testing the anti-clogging performance of a drip irrigation pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step S1 of calculating the effective total flow rate Q comprises removing outliers, sequentially calculating the deviation value of each element in the flow rate set A1 from the corresponding effective total flow rate Q, determining whether all deviation values are lower than a deviation threshold, if not, removing the elements in the flow rate set A1 exceeding the deviation threshold, and recalculating the effective total flow rate Q, and if yes, not needing to recalculate the effective total flow rate Q.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The step S1 includes judging whether the total flow rate q is lower than a minimum flow rate threshold value Yes, an abnormal blockage occurs, stop the data acquisition of the drip irrigation pipe, and count the blockage monitoring records of each dripper in the drip irrigation pipe respectively; no, do nothing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, After the step S2, it is determined whether the number of flow rate attenuation rates ΔQ exceeds a preset number, if yes, step S3 is executed, and if not, step S3 is not executed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The step S3 comprises: acquiring a plurality of continuous flow decay rates to generate a flow decay rate set A2, and calculating a flow decay trend k through a formula: ， wherein, denotes the mean of the times corresponding to the elements of the set of decay rates A2 at the i-th time instant, denotes the mean of the times corresponding to the elements of the set of decay rates A2 at the i-th time instant, denotes the mean of the times corresponding to the elements of the set of decay rates A2 at the i-th time instant, 6. A method of testing the anti-clogging performance of a drip irrigation pipe according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step S4 is preceded by a step of judging whether the current attenuation trend k is greater than a critical slope k crit , no, step S4 is executed, yes, the test is stopped.

7. A drip irrigation pipe anti-clogging performance testing system, characterized in that, The system for implementing the drip pipe clogging resistance performance test method of any one of claims 1-6 comprises a liquid storage barrel for storing experimental water, a water outlet of the liquid storage barrel is in communication with an inlet of a water pump, an outlet of the water pump is in communication with a plurality of drip pipes through a liquid supply pipeline, a plurality of drippers for flowing out experimental water are arranged on the drip pipes, a water collecting tank for collecting experimental water is arranged below each drip pipe, and the water collecting tank is in communication with the liquid storage barrel through a recovery pipeline to recover experimental water to the liquid storage barrel. The liquid supply pipeline is in communication with the plurality of drip pipes through a shunt pipe, and the plurality of water collecting tanks are in communication with the recovery pipeline through a water collecting pipe.

8. A clogging performance test system for a drip irrigation pipe according to claim 7, characterized in that, The experimental water is muddy water containing silt, and a stirring motor is arranged on the liquid storage barrel.

9. The anti-clogging performance test system for a drip irrigation pipe according to claim 7, characterized in that, The test system comprises a control unit PLC electrically connected to the water pump through a frequency converter, the control unit PLC is electrically connected to a pressure sensor arranged at the outlet of the water pump and an electromagnetic flowmeter arranged on the liquid supply pipeline, and the control unit PLC controls the action of the water pump according to the hydraulic value collected by the pressure sensor to ensure that the hydraulic pressure in the drip pipe is stable.

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