Comparison of fluidic and impact sprinklers based on hydraulic performance

A comparative study of an outside signal sprinkler (OS), a fluidic sprinkler (FS), and an impact sprinkler (IS) was carried out. The OS, FS, and IS were evaluated individually under indoor experimental conditions. Water distribution evaluations were measured under four operating pressures at a 1.5-m nozzle height (above the ground). Approximately 36 individual trials were performed. The results show that the discharge coefficient of the OS and FS was slightly larger than that of the IS. The water distribution profiles of the OS, FS, and IS were parabola-shaped, ellipse-shaped, and doughnut-shaped, respectively. The wetted radius for the OS was similar to the wetted radius of the FS and was 8.7–12 % less than the IS. An accurate and simple empirical equation for the wetted radius of OS and FS is reported. Additionally, equations of water application rate, with regard to distance from the sprinklers, are given. The average coefficients of determination for the OS, FS, and IS were 91.8, 89.2, and 79.1 %, respectively. Individual spray sprinkler water distributions were mathematically overlapped to calculate the combined uniformity coefficient (CU). Maximal combined CUs of 80.88, 80.92, and 78.12 % were found for the OS, FS, and IS, respectively. Both the OS and FS were found to have greater CU values than the IS, which indicates that the OS and FS provided a better water distribution pattern than the IS at low pressure.

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