Accurate flow measurement is key to effective water resource management. Choosing a suitable irrigation flow meter enables growers can accurately measure and effectively manage crop irrigation. Sino-Inst flow meters help deliver the right amount of water and fertilizer to crops. Sino-Inst flow meters play a crucial role in the agricultural sector, especially in irrigation. For years of development, farmers have trusted Sino-Inst flow meters for superior accuracy and durability.
The post explains the function of various irrigation flow meters in agricultural irrigation. I hope to provide some helpful information for you.
What is an Agriculture Irrigation Flow Meter?
An agricultural irrigation flow meter is a device that measures the flow of irrigation water or liquid fertilizer. Collecting and recording water flow data helps farmers accurately control irrigation water usage, which achieves water conservation and increased yields. It can also monitor the distribution of irrigation water and fertilizers, which allows adjustments and optimization of irrigation schedules.
Agriculture Irrigation Flow Meters Functions
- Simply used to count water flow. Water usage statistics are particularly important in areas with high water costs, which allows users to plan irrigation water use appropriately based on actual conditions.
- At the head of a smart irrigation system, a flow meter is installed behind a water pump. A set flow range allows users to monitor pump operation. If a pump anomaly is detected, users can check and resolve it in real time.
- In integrated water and fertilizer smart irrigation systems, users can set a flow rate. When the flow rate reaches the set value, fertilization automatically ends. It achieves integrated water and fertilizer management.
- A flow meter is installed behind a regional main valve to detect main valve failure or pipe leaks. If such a problem is detected, the valve is closed and an alarm is triggered, prompting users to promptly investigate and resolve the issue.
- Furthermore, flow meters can effectively prevent uneven watering caused by excessive or insufficient water flow. In irrigation, flow meters measure irrigation water and fertilizer flow, which can provide a reasonable distribution of water and fertilizer to each crop.
Sino-Inst Featured Irrigation Flow Meter
Challenges of Agricultural Irrigation Flow Measurement
1. Complex Irrigation Media
Surface water from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other sources often contains many suspended solids, organic matter, and algae. Surface water is usually used as an irrigation source. But surface water can easily clog and wear out flow meters. To solve the problem, we recommend using a magnetic flow meter to prevent clogging and loss of accuracy.
Some fertilizers and irrigation water are corrosive, which makes flow meters susceptible to corrosion and wear. Accurate fertilizer application helps maintain nutrient-rich crops. So, we can use corrosion-resistant linings.
2. Complex Measurement Scenarios
For some open channel irrigations, flow velocity and flow monitoring points should be installed in river sections with stable flow and regular cross-sections to reduce measurement errors caused by turbulence.
For areas using tap water for irrigation, a flow meter should be installed at the pipe inlet. The spatial distribution of monitoring points must ensure both representativeness and continuity. The flow meter’s flow measurement must cover different irrigation areas and reflect the water delivery process throughout the entire irrigation area.
To measure irrigation flow in partially filled pipes, we can provide a partially filled electromagnetic flow meter.
Water Meter vs. Flow Meter
In agricultural irrigation, water meters and flow meters are two commonly used irrigation devices. Water meters adhere to national standards, while flow meters adhere to industry standards. Water meters focus on wide-range measurements, while flow meters are suitable for measuring fluids with stable flow rates.
- Water meters are only used in the water industry, while flow meters are used in various industrial and residential sectors. Electromagnetic flow meters have a wider range of applications than water meters. Because flow meters have narrower ranges than water meters, they are more commonly used in the water industry.
- Flow meters can display instantaneous flow rate, accumulated flow rate, and flow rate. Water meters simply provide an accumulation function and generally do not display the instantaneous flow rate.
- Water meters are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, while flow meters are generally more expensive.
- Water meters have relatively low accuracy, are not resistant to high pressure or high temperature, and lack linear signal output, which makes them unsuitable for modern industrial automation control. Flow meters can be customized based on the user’s actual specifications, such as measuring high-temperature media, corrosive fluids, high-pressure pipelines, and other special operating conditions.
- From the perspective of the application. Water meters generally measure only water and are not suitable for measuring gases. Water meters for some liquid media are also inapplicable. Flow meters can measure a variety of media, including gases and liquids (water, oil, turbid liquids, etc.).
Agricultural Irrigation Flow Meter Types
We have summarized the following common types of agricultural irrigation flow meters and introduced their respective working principles in detail.
Ultrasonic Flow Meter Working Principle
The sensor inside an ultrasonic flow meter transmits an ultrasonic pulse. This ultrasonic pulse propagates through the air and reflects off the water surface. The reflected ultrasonic pulse is then received by the sensor. The flow meter measures the time difference between the transmitted and reflected ultrasonic pulses. Then, the flow meter calculates the flow rate according to the speed of the wave in the air.
Radar flow meters operate based on the Doppler effect. When a radar wave is transmitted onto the surface of flowing water, the frequency of the reflected wave changes due to the movement of the water. By measuring the frequency change, the flow rate can be determined. The radar water level meter built into the radar flow meter measures the real-time water level through the reflection of radar waves. The RTU combines the cross-sectional shape of the channel and other parameters to calculate the flow rate.
An electromagnetic flow meter measures flow based on Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction. They calculate flow rate by measuring the induced electromotive force generated when water flows through a magnetic field. To meet the various needs of agricultural applications, we have developed specialized models, which include in-line and insertion models. These models have large-diameter designs that can accommodate irrigation pipe networks. Self-cleaning electrodes (which reduce sediment accumulation) and a wide flow range accommodate flow fluctuations during the irrigation cycle, maintaining stable metering performance in complex field environments.
Doppler ultrasonic flow meters operate based on the Doppler effect. They transmit an ultrasonic signal of a specific frequency into the irrigation water stream. When the ultrasonic wave encounters suspended particles, bubbles, and other mobile impurities in the water, it reflects. Because these reflectors move with the water flow, the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic signal shifts. By measuring the frequency difference between the received and transmitted ultrasonic waves and using the Doppler equation, we can calculate the water velocity. According to related parameters such as the cross-sectional area of the irrigation channel or pipe, irrigation flow can be calculated. In irrigation, this principle can be used to monitor water and fertilizer flow in pipes in real time.
How to Choose an Agricultural Irrigation Flow Meter?
Choosing the right irrigation flow meter is a complex problem. Many factors need to be considered. The following are key selection criteria summarized by Sino-Inst.
- Typical irrigation water and fertilizers are corrosive and contain impurities. So, we should consider that the flow meter should meet the different media features.
- The accuracy level of the selected flow meter should be slightly less than the actual total irrigation flow rate. Generally, an accuracy of ±5% or less is sufficient for most agricultural irrigation needs.
- The required measurement range is determined based on various factors, which include the flow rate and pressure of the irrigation water source, the slope of the irrigation area, and soil quality.
- Consider the environmental conditions of the irrigation area, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, signal output requirements, and electromagnetic interference.
- Stability;
- Corrosion resistance;
- Maintenance and calibration;
- Brand and price.
Choosing the Right Flow Meter Type
Many flow meter types used in irrigation areas include electromagnetic flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters, and radar flow meters etc. Each has its own unique advantages and applications.
An electromagnetic flow meter is suitable for measuring conductive liquids such as clean water, wastewater, and slurries. They measure flow by measuring changes in the magnetic field. And they can offer high accuracy and stability. Therefore, electromagnetic flow meters are the most commonly used flow meters in irrigation.
Ultrasonic flow meters are non-contact flow meters. They offer advantages such as low straight pipe length requirements, low pressure drop, and a wide range, which makes them suitable for measuring a variety of fluids.
Radar flow meters also provide non-contact measurement. They are also unaffected by water quality fluctuations, sediment, or air bubbles, which results in high accuracy. Radar flow meter maintains stable measurement performance even in silty irrigation streams. They also provide stable measurements under many extreme conditions.
What is a good flow rate for irrigation?
A variety of factors influence the optimal irrigation flow rate. The specific steps for flow rate calculation are as follows:
1. Measure the farmland area, usually in mu or hectares.
2. Determine the soil's infiltration rate and water holding capacity, which can be obtained through soil testing.
3. Estimate crop water requirements, usually in millimeters or inches per week.
4. Use the formula: Irrigation flow rate (cubic meters per hour) = Farmland area (square meters) × Crop water requirement (meters per time) ÷ Irrigation efficiency (dimensionless).
Irrigation efficiency represents the proportion of total irrigation water that actually reaches the crop root system. In practice, many factors such as weather conditions and irrigation system type should be considered to help with the right calculations.
In short, accurate irrigation flow rate calculation helps improve irrigation efficiency and ultimately promotes sustainable agricultural development.
How do you measure irrigation flow?
A common method for measuring irrigation flow is to select a suitable flow meter. Sino-Inst offers a variety of irrigation flow meters. Simply provide us with your agricultural irrigation needs, and we can customize an irrigation flow measurement solution for you free of charge.
How does debris affect flow meters?
Debris can affect the accuracy of flow meters. Excessive debris can cause clogging and wear.
Agricultural irrigation flow meters can help farmers achieve precise water management and increase farmland yields. With technological advancements and developments, irrigation flow meters will continue to be updated and improved, making greater contributions to the sustainable development of agricultural production. Farmers should actively understand and apply irrigation flow meters to adapt to the needs of agricultural modernization and promote the sustainable development of the agricultural industry.
In short, Sino-Inst is a supplier of irrigation flow meters. We are from China, and our irrigation flow meters are sold worldwide. If you need to purchase an irrigation flow meter, please feel free to choose us. We offer a one-year warranty and competitive pricing. Contact us now!
