How to Select the Right Dripper for Your Drip Irrigation System?
What is an integral dripper?
Integral drippers are well hidden inside the drip irrigation pipe. Only the small outlet holes are visible from the outside. However, although invisible, they can be felt through the pipe wall as hard elements in the softer, flexible material of the pipe. Normally, you can find them positioned at the same distance along the pipe.
Drippers play a critical role in an efficient irrigation system. As the pipe is pressurized, drippers maintain a uniform, constant flow of water as it comes out of the pipe. Unlike a simple perforation in a pressurized pipe that will create a jet of water, the dripper is designed to create a relaxed, constant, and controlled drip so that, even with numerous drippers in the field, all the drippers will emit almost the same amount of water, ensuring the uniformity of the crop.
What is the difference between flat and cylindrical dripper?
- Cylindrical drippers are known as the legacy drippers. Equipped with large internal water filters, a massive body, and a long, wide labyrinth, they are built to last even in harsh conditions. Therefore, they are better suited for orchards and landscaping.
- Flat drippers are more efficient in construction, using less material and allowing for faster production compared to cylindrical drippers. Flat drippers have a slimmer profile, which minimizes friction and allows for longer runs of the pipes.
What does “pressure compensated dripper” actually mean?
Pressure compensated drippers (PC) are equipped with a special mechanism that regulates the discharge of the drippers. When the pressure rises, the flow does not increase accordingly. Instead, a compensation mechanism regulates the flow and keeps it constant. In steep topography, this mechanism maintains uniform flow regardless of the dripper’s position on the hill. In long drip line laterals, this mechanism ensures a uniform flow rate regardless of the dripper’s distance from the start, even though the pressure drops along the line.
How does the regulation mechanism work?
- PC Drippers are equipped with a labyrinth and a flexible diaphragm.
- Non-PC Drippers are equipped only with a labyrinth, which maintains a turbulent flow that reduces the energy of the water as it comes out of the pipe. The special structure of the labyrinth dictates the reduced flow of water while minimizing the risk of sediment accumulation in the narrow path of the labyrinth.
How to Choose Between PC and Non-PC Drippers?
As mentioned above, irrigation drippers are divided into two main types:
PC Drippers (Flow Regulated): Equipped with a labyrinth and diaphragm that maintain a constant flow rate even when the pressure in the pipe fluctuates. They provide a consistent, steady flow that is suitable for long driplines. They are ideal for long, mechanized fields to ensure equal growth throughout large areas of land.
Non-PC Drippers: Equipped with a labyrinth that controls the output by forcing a turbulent flow. The flow is synchronized with the pressure, so it changes significantly throughout the irrigation line, from high-pressure flow at the start of the line to low pressure at the end. They are suitable for flat surfaces and short stretches, mainly for growing different crops.
What Features Are Available for PC and Non-PC Driplines?
- Self-cleaning: Some driplines offer a cleaning option at the end of every cycle, which is crucial for areas with low water quality and critical for preventing blockages from forming inside the irrigation system.
- Labyrinth: We offer the only drip irrigation system that keeps both the pipe and the labyrinth clean.
- Non-Drain System: Our Made-in-Israel drip irrigation system enables the pipe to stay full at all times instead of constantly draining, which is helpful for frequent, short irrigation intervals.
- Anti-Syphon: A special mechanism that effectively prevents dirt and soil particles from entering the pipes and blocking the flow.
What Else Should I Know About Your Irrigation Solutions?
Glad you asked! At Metzer, we are proud to provide you with access to unique agricultural technologies that enhance your growing and watering processes, allowing you to save time and money while achieving extraordinary results. Contact us for more details.
