Methods for preventing drip irrigation tape blockage

Based on the water quality analysis results, different measures should be taken to treat the water source for drip irrigation, targeting the main causes of potential blockage. In short, drip irrigation water treatment methods can be divided into two major categories: physical and chemical. Physical treatment removes all organic and inorganic matter larger than 1/10 to 1/7 of the smallest pore size in the system from the water; chemical treatment involves adding one or a combination of chemical agents to the water to control biological growth and unfavorable chemical sounds, thereby altering the chemical properties of the irrigation water. Physical and chemical treatments can be carried out separately, simultaneously, or in combination.

 1. Physical Treatment of Water
Physical treatment methods include clarification, filtration, or a combination of both. The task of physical water treatment is to correctly determine the required filtration level and select a reasonable filtration method based on the solid matter content of the water source and the minimum pore size of the drip irrigation tape; determine the filter size based on the flow rate through the filter, and calculate the head loss; simultaneously, determine the filter flushing method, flushing interval, etc.
(1) Clarification. The role of clarification is to remove larger inorganic suspended particles from the water. Reservoirs and ponds have a good clarification effect; for drip irrigation systems using river water or canal water as a source, it is often necessary to build special sedimentation ponds or water collection and storage ponds to clarify the water source. Clarification is also an economical and effective method for preliminary water treatment, which can significantly reduce the content of impurities in the water. Adding aeration to the clarification pond is the best way to remove iron and other soluble solids from the irrigation water.
(2) Filtration. When water flows through a porous or porous structure-cutoff object, the suspended or colloidal substances in the water are intercepted or retained in the pores, gaps, or on the surface of the porous material, and this method of separating impurities from the mother liquor is called filtration. Filtration is one of the most widely used, economical, and effective treatment methods in drip irrigation.

      2. Chemical Treatment of Water
The purpose of water chemical treatment is to reduce the amount of suspended solids entering the drip irrigation tape; control bacterial growth in the drip irrigation tape; dissolve sediments or solid particles; maintain the consistent filtration effect of the irrigation water. Chemical treatment can be performed alone or simultaneously with physical treatment. The most commonly used chemical treatment methods in low-view systems are chlorination, acidification, and copper sulfate treatment.
Two issues should be noted when chemically treating irrigation water: one is to prevent people and animals from being poisoned by drinking chemically treated water. This, in addition to educating people not to use drip irrigation water for drinking, requires effective measures to eliminate the toxic effects in the design of the drip irrigation tape; the other is to prevent water source pollution. When performing water treatment, special care should be taken to prevent water containing chemical drugs from flowing back into the water source.