Worked Design Example

Irrigation New Zealand

May 2024
Example 1
Calculate the design efficiency and the operating efficiency of the
pump/motor combination.

𝑄𝜌𝑔ℎ 80/1000𝑥1000𝑥9.8𝑥50
Design Efficiency = = ( ) = 70.1%
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 56𝑥1000

𝑄𝜌𝑔ℎ 55/1000𝑥1000𝑥9.8𝑥45
Operating Efficiency = =( ) = 45.7%
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 53𝑥1000
2. List three options that could be used to accommodate the required flow rate
variation and briefly explain how each option works.
▪
• Mechanical pressure reducing valve
• VSD/VFD
• For Pivots/Laterals – Correcting flow using Variable Rate Control
• Solid set zones can be increased in Flow and decreased in Run time.
• Multiple blocks run at the same time to achieve constant Flow
• Using a pump with a flat curve
• Throttling valve
• Bypass valve
• Multiple pumps
3. Calculate the speed of the pump if a VSD was utilised to reduce the flow
rate of the pump from 80 litres/sec to 55 litres/sec, without consideration of
the head.
3. Solution - Remember the affinity laws:

𝑄1 𝑁1 80 2930 2930
▪ = Therefore = 𝑥=
𝑄2 𝑁2 55 𝑥 1.45

▪
▪ Therefore 𝑥 = 2014 rpm
4. Now, calculate the required speed of the pump if a VSD was
utilised to reduce the head from 50 metres to 45 metres. At that
speed, calculate the flow that the pump will produce.
4. Solution:

𝐻1 𝑁1 50 2930 2 50 2930
= ( 𝑁2 )2 Therefore 45 = ( ) 𝑥= =
𝐻2 𝑥 45 𝑥

Therefore 𝑥 = 2780 rpm

𝑄1 𝑁1 80 2930
𝑄2
= 𝑁2
Therefore 𝑥
= 2780

▪ Therefore 𝑥 = 76 l/s
5. How much metered power would be saved if the speed of the
pump was reduced to accommodate a flow of 55 litres/sec and
head of 45 metres?

6. Would you recommend a VSD in this situation? Explain your

answer.
▪ The minimum speed capable of producing at least 55 l/s and at least 45 m
is 2780 rpm.
𝑃1 𝑁1 56 2930 2780
= ( 𝑁2 )3 Therefore = (2780)3 𝑥 = 56 x (2930)3 .
𝑃2 𝑥

Therefore 𝑥 = 47.8 kW
Saving = 56.0 – 47.8 = 8.2 kW.
Assumption is that there is no change in efficiency.

VSD or No VSD
On the basis of power saving alone, possibly. The difference between using a
VSD and PRV (53.0 – 47.8) is only 5.2 kW. However, the correct approach
would be to assess the overall capital and operating cost differences
between installing and operating a VSD system compared to a PRV system.
Example 2
 1. Calculate the Net Positive Suction Head available (NPSHa) for the installation.
Assume:
Assume: Solution Hint
• Internal pipe diameters are the same as Methodically go through the
the nominal diameters components.
• Pipe and fittings are galvanised steel 1. 18 m pipe loss & 1 m pipe loss
• Hazen Williams C for galvanised pipe = 2. Screen loss, 45 degree bend loss,
120 Reducer loss, Check valve loss
• Water temperature = 25 degrees C 3. Elevation difference between pump
• Effective diameter of screen = 125 mm suction nozzle and lowest pond water
• K value of screen = 8.0 level = 0.6 + 1.6 + 3.0 = 5.2 m (or 2.2
m if pond is full).
• K value of check valve = 2.5
• K value of long radius bend = 0.2 4. Vapour pressure of water at 25 deg
(need to look up). It is about 0.32 m.
• K value of reducer = 0.01
Solution
Friction loss through 18 m x 125 mm galv pipe using Hazen Williams
formula.
1.213 ×1010 × 𝑄1,852 ×𝐿
▪ 𝐻𝑓 = 𝐶 1,852 × 𝑑 4,871
= 0.48 m

▪ Friction loss through 1 m x 100 mm galv pipe

1.213 ×1010 × 201,852 ×1
▪ 𝐻𝑓 = = 0.08 m
1201,852 × 1004,871

Friction loss through fittings using velocity head = 𝐻𝑣 = k (𝑣 2 /2g)

Head loss in screen

V = Q/A = 4x 0.020/(3.142 x.125 x.125) = 1.63 m/s
𝐻𝑣 = 8 x 1.632 /(2x9.81)
𝐻𝑣 = 1.08 m
Head loss in 45◦bend
Assume k = 0.2, V = 1.63 m/s
𝐻𝑣 = k (𝑣 2 /2g) = 0.135 k = 0.135 x 0.2 = 0.03 m

Head loss in check valve

𝐻𝑣 = 0.135 x 2.5 = 0.34 m

▪ Head loss in eccentric reducer

𝑑1 = 125mm = 0.125m, 𝑑2 = 100mm = 0.100m
𝐴1 = π𝑑 2 /4 = 3.147 x 0.1252 /4 = 0.012
𝐴2 = π𝑑 2 /4 = 3.147 x 0.1002 /4 = 0.0078
𝐴𝑎𝑣𝑒 = (𝐴1 +𝐴2 ) / 2 = 0.0099
𝑄 20
𝑉 = 𝐴 = 1000/0.0099 = 2.02 m/s
𝐻𝑣 = k (𝑣 2 /2g)= 0.03 (2.022 /(2 x 9.81) = 0.006 m

▪ Total Head loss = 0.48+0.08+1.08+0.03+0.34+0.006 = 2.02 m

NPSH
𝑁𝑃𝑆𝐻𝑎 = 𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 +/-𝐻𝑠 -𝐻𝑓 - 𝐻𝑣 -𝐻𝑣𝑎𝑝

Condition 1 – Pond is full.

▪ 𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 10 𝑚 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

▪ 𝐻𝑠 = 2.2 𝑚, 𝐻𝑓 = 2.02 𝑚, 𝐻𝑣 = 0.33 𝑚, 𝐻𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 0.32 𝑚

𝑁𝑃𝑆𝐻𝑎 = 10 -2.2-2.02-0.33-0.32 = 5.13 m when pond is full.

Condition 2 – Pond is empty

𝑁𝑃𝑆𝐻𝑎 = 10-5.2-2.02-0.33-0.32 = 2.13 m when pond is empty
2. If a pump has an NPSH required of 5 metres, would you recommend it for this application. Please give your
reasoning. Allow for a 1 m safety margin.
Solution

▪ As NPSHa must exceed NPSHr in both situations when the pond was full
or empty, you would not recommend this if considering a margin of
safety.

▪ Required solution would be to lower the pump, or use a submersible or

use a pump with lower NPSHr.
Example 3
▪

1. Calculate the total paddock area and area irrigated within the
paddock.
2. Calculate the following flows:
Average flow based on the 93% irrigated
Pivot with corner arm and end gun off.
Pivot with corner arm fully extended, end gun off.
Pivot with corner arm and end gun on
Solution
4.8 mm/day = 0.556 L/s/ha. Can round this up to 0.56 L/s/ha (used below).
Average flow for the pivot = 106.49 ha x 0.56 = 59.7 L/s
Note: Students may calculate average flow for pivot using the absolute ha.
This will produce 60.9 L/s.
(𝜋5352 )
Pivot with corner arm and gun off. = = 89.92 ha x 0.56 = 50.4 L/s
10,000
6152
Pivot with corner arm fully extended, end gun off. = 118.82 ha x 0.56 =
10,000
66.5 L/s.
6402
Pivot with corner arm and end gun on. = 10,000
= 128.7 ha x 0.56 = 72.1 L/s
Example 4
Solution
𝑃 400∗0.102
P=Kx𝑄 0.8
=K= = or K = 1.33
𝑄0.8 72.10.8
Note the conversion from kPa to m.
Pivot pressures: 50.4 l/s, P = 30.6 m
▪ 66.5 l/s, P = 38.3 m
▪ 72.1 l/s, P = 40.8 m
Solution
 Example 4

The pivot is supplied by PVC mainline from a pump located in a pump shed at
the SW corner of the paddock. Mainline velocity is not to exceed 1.5 m/s.

Select a suitable pipe diameter (assume 225 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm
diameters are available). Calculate the pressure loss for the mainline.
Solution
Solution

▪ℎ= 𝑏 2 + 𝑝2 = 5352 + 5352

▪ 𝑀𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 756.6 m

Pipe Diameter Calculation

4𝑄 4∗72.1 288.4
𝑑= = = = 0.247 m = 247 mm. The correct
𝜋𝑉∗1000 𝜋∗1.5∗1000 4710

answer given typical PVC pipe sizes would be 250 mm.

Mainline head loss calculation specific for the flow rate
1.213 ×1010 × 𝑄1.852 ×𝐿 1.213 ×1010 × 72.11.852 ×756.6
𝐻𝑓 = = = = 5.6
𝐶 1.852 × 𝑑 4.871 1401.852 × 2504.871
m
 Drip Example
Design a drip irrigation system for a citrus orchard of 1 ha area with length
and breadth of 100 m each. Citrus has been planted at a spacing of 5 m ´ 5.5
m. The maximum pan evaporation during summer is 8 mm day-1. The other
relevant data are given below:
Land slope = 0.40 % upward from S – N direction
Water source = A well located at the S–W corner of the field
Soil texture = Sandy loam
Clay content = 18.4 %
Silt = 22.6 %
Sand = 59.0 %
Field capacity = 14.9 %
Wilting point =8%
Bulk density = 1.44 gcc-1
Effective root zone depth = 120 cm
Wetting fraction = 0.4
Pan coefficient = 0.7
Crop coefficient = 0.8
Assuming three emitters of 4 L h-1, placed on each plant root zone in a
triangular pattern.

1. Calculate the total discharge per tree

2. Calculate the irrigation time
Solution

▪ Total discharge delivered in one hour = 4 * 3 = 12 L h-1

▪ Irrigation time = 50 / 12 = 4 h 10 minutes

 Drip Example..cont
A well is located at one corner of the field. Submains will be laid from the
center of field. Therefore, the length of main, sub mains, and lateral will be 50
m, 97.25 m and 47.5 m each, respectively. The laterals will extend on both the
sides of the submain. Each lateral will supply water to 10 plants.

Calculate:
1. Total number of laterals
2. Discharge carried by each lateral, Qlateral
3. Total discharge carried by 36 laterals
4. Total number of emitters
5. Size of the laterals
6. Determination of number of manifolds
7. Size of sub main
Solution
1. Total number of laterals = (100/5.5) * 2 = 36.36 (Considering 36)

2. Discharge carried by each lateral, Qlateral = 10 * 3 * 4 = 120 L h-1

3. Total discharge carried by 36 laterals = 120 * 36 = 4320 L h-1

4. Each plant is provided with three emitters, therefore total number of

emitters will be 36 * 10 * 3 =1080.

5. Size of the lateral – Use the Hazen- Williams equation. Use the reduction
factor. For D=12 &16 mm, Hf = 0.26 m & 0.063 m
The permissible head loss due to friction is 10% of head of 10 m (head
required to operate emitters of 4 L h-1discharge), which is 1 m. therefore
lateral of 12 mm size is adequate and can be chosen.
Determination of the No of Submains:
Assuming the pump discharge = 2.5 L s-1 = 9000 L h-1
Discharge carried by each lateral = 120 L h-1
Number of laterals that can be operated by each manifold = 9000/120 = 75
Therefore, 1 manifold/sub mains can supply water to all the laterals at a time.

Size of the Submains:

Total discharge through the sub mains = Qlateral*Number of laterals
= 120 * 36
= 4320 L h-1 = 1.2 L s-1
Assuming the diameter of the sub mains as 50 mm. The values of parameter
of the Hazen- Williams equation = Hf = 0.31
Pressure head required at the inlet of the sub mains = H emitter + Hf lateral + Hf
sub main + H slope
Pressure Head = 10 + 0.26 + 0.30 + 0.40
= 10.96 m
Determination of the No of Submains:
Pressure Variation = = 6.38% for a 50 mm pipe

Pressure Variation = = 6.38% for a 50 mm pipe

Pressure head variation lies within the acceptable limit, hence submain pipe of
35 mm is accepted for design.
Main Line Sizing
Size of the main line
Assuming the diameter of main as 50 mm
Discharge of main, Q main = Discharge of sub main, Qsub main
Use Hazen Williams

For 50 m main pipe = 0.84 x (50/100) = 0.42 m

Determining the horse power of pump

Assuming static head as 10 m, head variation due to uneven field and the
losses due to pump fittings, etc. is taken as 10 % of all other losses.
Hlocal = 10 % of all other loss
Total dynamic head = ( Hemitter + Hf lateral + Hf sub main + H slope )+Hf
main+Hstatic+Hlocal
= 12.36 + 0.42 +10 +1.28
= 24.06 m