Spraydrop kinetic energy from irrigation sprinklers

Information on the drop energy from sprinklers is important for choosing the optimum sprinkler type for a particular soil. Drop size distribution data were collected for different types of sprinklers with various nozzle size-pressure combinations using a laser-optical method. Drop velocities were calculated using a trajectory model. The overall drop energy per unit of applied water was calculated. A method was developed to estimate the kinetic energy for a particular type of sprinkler with a given nozzle size and operating pressure using nozzle size and pressure head as independent variables. The volume mean drop size was found to be a good predictor of overall kinetic energy. With no wind, the overall drop energy varied from about 5 to 25 J/kg. The smooth plate spray head gave the least drop energy, while the single nozzle, impact-type sprinklers gave the greatest. Wind was found to increase drop energy by as much as a factor of three, but nozzle elevation had a small effect on drop energy.

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