From hydrodynamics to clogging in emitters used in drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a water-saving technology that also increases the efficiency of agricultural production. However, in many cases, the adoption of drip irrigation is limited by clogging of the drip emitters through particle deposition or biofouling. Indeed, a geometry of drip emitter widely used in agriculture consists of a labyrinth channel of millimetric dimensions in which the Reynolds number is in the range 500-1000. Particles can deposit at different locations in this channel and eventually clog the entire system over some time. Here, we consider the flow profiles in 3D-printed prototypes of drip emitters using PIV methods and numerical simulations. We also conduct experiments of particle deposition in these channels to identify the preferential location of particle clogging and connect these sites with the local hydrodynamic. This approach allows us to tune the geometric features of the labyrinth channel to decrease particle deposition and thus increase the lifetime of the drip emitter.