Optimal Sprinkler Spacing for a Mini Center Pivot System

Abstract

This paper offers a new model for determining the optimal spacing of mini center pivot system (MCPS) nozzles for high water application uniformity. The strengths of the study included an in-depth analysis of optimum nozzle spacing and the high impact on the efficiency of the MCPS. To achieve this goal, a genetic algorithm was used to maximize the uniformity coefficient under the MCPS when the design parameters were inputted and combined with the formula of Heermann and Hein. The optimization is based on the water distribution modeling, and Heermann and Hein uniformity coefficient (CUH) calculation of three existing MCPS, 60, 50, and 46 m in length. A comparison between the CUH values obtained experimentally and by the proposed model, is used to validate the proposed model. According to the findings of this study, the proposed model can optimize the CUH uniformity coefficient by 23.87%, 29.99%, and 17.96% for the three studied MCPSs 60, 50, and 46 m in length, respectively, while determining optimal nozzle spacing.