Rivulis Drip Guide Book 3 20230209 Eng-Webversion

THE
RIVULIS
DRIP GUIDE
3
DESIGN
INSTALLATION GROW
BEYOND
STARTUP
www.rivulis.com
THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE
DISCLAIMERS
This booklet, the information and recommendations included therein regarding your choice and operation of Rivulis products,
including the applicable Rivulis drip irrigation system, and regarding other farming related procedures (the “booklet”) are
designed and rendered for information purposes only and to the best of Rivulis’ knowledge and experience. The content is
provided for the purpose of offering an introductory overview of drip irrigation and related agricultural issues. It is therefore not
an exhaustive guide, and this booklet should be used in conjunction with other sources.
Rivulis has used commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that its own product information, including data sheets, schematics,
manuals and brochures are correct in all material respects. That being said, any information should be verified before making any
decisions and all information in this booklet is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without warranties of any kind either
express or implied. For the sake of clarity, the booklet includes public information and other materials provided by third parties
which Rivulis has not independently verified; all of which is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without warranties of
any kind either express or implied.
Except for the specific product warranties, available from the local Rivulis office of your area, Rivulis hereby disclaims all
warranties, express or implied, including without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability, reliability, title, fitness for a
particular purpose, and non-infringement. Applicable law may not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so to that extent,
such exclusions may not apply.
Please note further that in light of the numerous variances of every farm, growth, climate, regional differences, etc., the booklet
cannot be deemed as an exhaustive guide of every consideration that must be considered when choosing the suitable product
for you and when taking other farming related decisions included in the booklet. As always, you should consult with a local
irrigation consultant for your specific needs.
As some of our products are not available in all regions, please contact your local authorized Rivulis dealer for additional details
and irrigation solutions. Rivulis reserves the right to change, edit and/or modify the booklet from time to time, as well as any of
its products’ specifications and designs without any notice.
Please note that all applicable safety regulations and means must be applied when using, storing, installing, operating,
maintaining, and troubleshooting of Rivulis products, their components and any other product or equipment referenced within
this booklet. Without derogating from the generality of the aforesaid, at any installation, use, maintenance and troubleshooting
of any of Rivulis products you and any of your employees, affiliates and partners must implement strict safety procedures
regarding, inter alia, electricity, machinery and the use of hazardous materials.
Some chemicals and fertilizers mentioned in this booklet are dangerous and their use is subject to local laws/regulations. To
learn about the health and environmental hazards and the required safety means related to such materials – refer to the safety
data sheets of such materials.
Any information provided by Rivulis in this booklet about the chemical or fertilizer treatment or chemical materials (including
safety information and handling recommendations), is provided as a general service only. Rivulis is not a treatment material or
fertilizer manufacturer and cannot guarantee that this information is sufficient, complete or accurate and cannot notify you in
case of changes in any handling guidelines. Therefore, prior to use, you must carefully learn about the hazards related to and the
safe performance and use of such treatments and materials, including by reading the relevant material safety data sheets (MSDS),
and consult with applicable professionals. Using such materials is at your own risk.
All guidelines mentioned in the booklet regarding the use of such materials are subordinate to the instructions of the
manufacturer of such materials and to applicable safety and environment laws.
As Rivulis only manufactures irrigation products, descriptions, guidelines, and recommendations included in this booklet, not
specifically linked to the use of its products, including ones related to chemical treatments, fertilization, salinity management,
etc, are provided to you as a general service only. Rivulis cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, and sufficiency of such
information and therefore does not guarantee and will not be responsible, for any yield results, crop loss, equipment loss, etc.
resulted from using this information. You solely bear the responsibility of using this information and for handling your farm and
soil.
There are hazards associated with working with farm and irrigation equipment. The user must comply with all relevant safety
measures of all equipment and materials. For example, protective clothing, shoes, and eye protection must be used as required.
Electrical installations must only be made by licensed professionals and according to local laws and regulations.
This booklet may be translated into various languages. However, in the case of doubt or variance, the English version prevails.
Rivulis reserves all intellectual property to this booklet. No part of this booklet may be reproduced without the prior written
permission of Rivulis.
2 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

D E S I G N - I N S TA L L AT I O N - S TA R T U P
The complete set

This book is one of four books written to help you to get the most out of your irrigation system.
Download the books and view our interactive knowledge hub at:
www.rivulis.com/knowledgehub, or scan the QR code:
Introduction to drip irrigation Overview of drip irrigation Design Maintenance

systems & components – Installation
The 6 key considerations in from water source to emitter Startup
developing your irrigation system
Edition: February 2023

© 2023, Rivulis Irrigation Ltd, all rights reserved.
Reproduction, duplication, sale or rent of this booklet in any form is prohibited without the written consent of Rivulis
Irrigation Ltd.
RIVULIS and other marks, logos, branding features and service marks used and displayed in this guide are trademarks,
registered and unregistered, of Rivulis Irrigation Ltd.
Written by Matt Clift

Photography coordination and additional content by Romeo Dragan.
Many thanks to Eyal Ben-David, Rafi Golan, Zvika Golan, Avishai Schneider, and the extended team involved in the
development of the Rivulis Drip Guides. The author also wishes to acknowledge legacy company information which
served as additional source material for this guide.
D E S I G N - I N S TA L L AT I O N - S TA R T U P 3
CONTENTS
Hydraulic design 8
The goal 8
Getting started 9
Design software solutions 10
The Rivulis Hydraulic Tool 11
Wcadi 12
Engaging a hydraulic designer 13
Completing the questionnaire – map of irrigation project site 18
Completing the questionnaire – crop & irrigation data 19
Crop spacing (Question 3) 19
Row distance (Question 4) 20
Lateral spacing (Question 10) 20
Number of laterals per row (Question 11) 21
Completing the questionnaire – soil data 21
Completing the questionnaire – energy & irrigation time data 21
Completing the questionnaire – water source data 23
Completing the questionnaire – pumping data 23

Completing the questionnaire – operation and control 24

Completing the questionnaire – order of operation 25
Completing the questionnaire – mainline and submain locations 26
Completing the questionnaire – mainline and submain type 26
Completing the questionnaire – fertigation 27
Completing the questionnaire – final words 27
Key design principals 28
Peak water requirement 29
Meters head & static head 30
Head loss 32
Blocks 34
Irrigation shifts 35
Irrigation scheduling 39
Mainline and submain design 40
Cavitation 43
Water hammer 45
CONTENTS
Installation 47
Installation of drip laterals 48
Before installation 49
Installation equipment 50
During installation 52
Steps for installation 53
Installation of mainlines & submains 61
Installing buried mainlines and submains 62
Installing layflat and flat PE (MaxFlat) submains 68
Connection of drip laterals to submains 70
Thin wall drip line/tape  layflat submain 71
Thin wall drip line/tape  H6000/H6500 PE submain 73
Thin wall drip line/tape  PE submain 74
Thin wall drip line/tape  PVC/PE submain 75
Heavy wall drip line/LDPE  PVC/PE submain 76

Terminating drip lateral ends 78

Simple closing bands 79
Individual flushing valves 79
End plug/line end clamps 80
Flushing manifold 80
Startup (first use) 81

Step 1 – Flushing 82
The flushing process 83
Step 2 – Calibration 86
Step 3 – Testing 88
Checklist 91
Now what 96
HYDRAULIC DESIGN
Hydraulic (irrigation) design takes many years of experience. To capture how to design within a few pages is
not possible by any means. For your irrigation design, you should rely on a qualified hydraulic designer.
That said, it is good to know some of the basics so you can understand your system and your design better.
Also, you should know the information that hydraulic designers require, and how different decisions will
impact the overall project.
The goal
A good irrigation system is one that enables the grower to:
apply the required right amount of water
at the right time
with good uniformity
while minimizing the energy requirements and costs, and within the allocation of water available.

Getting started
Clear design goals are required upfront.
Effectively, you will have four items that you need to balance:
Uniformity Application rate
What is the minimum uniformity What is the maximum water

your design will need to achieve, application rate you need to
keeping in mind that higher apply, and do you have the water
uniformity designs may result in available to do this?
higher cost?
System life System cost
Decide whether your drip line/ Know your sensitivity to cost

tape will be used for a single (both upfront and ongoing),
season or for several years. Also which will impact all of the other
determine how long the other components.
system components should last.
Your challenge will be to design a system that meets these conflicting goals. You will need to make trade-
offs between uniformity, system life, and system cost.
DESIGN SOFTWARE
SOLUTIONS

The Rivulis
Hydraulic Tool
Easy to use and free to access. Quickly calculate hydraulic parameters for laterals,
sprinklers/sprays, submains/mainlines, and more.
Lateral calculations
Easily create your lateral design, including factoring in the impact of sloping ground and lateral length
required.
Sprinkler and spray calculations
EDC (Every Drop Counts) is a powerful inbuilt space application for evaluating sprinkler and spray designs.
Submain and mainline calculations
The calculator can determine the optimum diameter and length configurations to meet the required flow
rate, while also calculating head loss and velocity.
Evaluate an overall system
Quickly get a picture of the overall system by using the Irrigation Design component.
www.rivulis.com/hydraulictool
WCADI
Making the complex simple
Designing large and complex irrigation systems

with pen and paper, spreadsheets or other basic
tools is slow and time consuming, and can be
full of inaccuracies and errors. But with WCADI
irrigation design software, you can be confident
in your design solution.
Main pipe design and network analysis Block design
• 5,000 nodes • 5,000 subareas
• 5,000 sections • 5,000 blocks per subarea
• 99 cases (water sources) per project • 5,000 laterals per block
• 25 shifts • 150 sprinklers per branch
• 5,000 emitters per lateral
Special features
• Survey Hydraulic calculation modules
• Clement method for network analysis • Single diameter
• Material list • Multi diameter
• Calculation and simulation during lateral flushing • Lateral max run length calculator
• Max length graphical
Lateral flushing • Optimize section
• PRV auto placement (block) https://www.rivulis.com/wcadi/
• Laterals along elevation contours

ENGAGING A
HYDRAULIC
DESIGNER
Design is complicated, and it is often easier (and better) to engage a qualified hydraulic designer that
specializes in drip irrigation systems.
In order to make the design, you will need to provide key information to the hydraulic designer. Below is a
copy of the Irrigation Systems Design Questionnaire from the Rivulis design team.
Metric

US Measurements

You will have most of the information within this questionnaire after completing your farm overview in
Book 1, along with the product choices in Book 2.
You should reference these two books in order to complete the questionnaire. However, we will now provide
some additional explanation on key points.
Completing the questionnaire –

map of irrigation project site
As an attachment to the questionnaire, you need to include a map of the project.
Ensure that your map includes:
• field layout and row directions

• topography contours
• roads and other obstacles
• map direction/orientation (north).
500
400
300
200
764
764
764
764
74 73 72 71 70 69
Location of obstacles Topographic

contour lines
Water source 209
000
Map direction
W E
68
Row direction
208
900
Field boundaries
Existing roads
208
800
74 73 72 71 70 69 68


crop & irrigation data
Section A requires you to complete 12 items as follows.
Crop spacing (Question 3)
This question refers to the distance between each plant along a row.
Row distance (Question 4)
The row
distance is Row A
the distance Row
between the 5 m (16 ft) distance
Row B
rows of plants
5 m (16 ft)
themselves.
Row C
5 m (16 ft) Row
distance
Row D
Lateral spacing (Question 10)
Here you define the distance between each lateral or set of laterals.
If you have two (or more) laterals per row, this is considered a “set”, and the distance of the “lateral
spacing” is the distance between each set of laterals. You will advise how many laterals per set in
Question 11.
Here are two examples. The row

Row A
distance is 5 m (16 ft) for both, Lateral A
5 m (16 ft)
but the first example has a lateral Row B
Lateral B
every row, whereas the second has
5 m (16 ft)
a lateral every second row only. Row C
Lateral C
Therefore, the lateral spacing is 5 m 5 m (16 ft)
(16 ft) in the first example, and 10 Row D

Lateral D
m (32 ft) in the second example.
Row A
Lateral A
5 m (16 ft)
10 m (32 ft)
Row B 10 m (32 ft)
5 m (16 ft)
Row C
Lateral B
Row D

Number of laterals per row (Question 11)
If you have a set of laterals (e.g. two laterals per row as shown below), you indicate the number
of laterals in Question 11.
Lateral A1
Row A
Lateral A2
Lateral B1
Row B
Lateral B2

soil data
Straightforward – state the type of soil that the crop will be planted in.

energy & irrigation time data
Section C relates to your energy and scheduling.
Further in this book, we will look at scheduling shifts and intervals. If you are not familiar with these
concepts, or you would like to know how to calculate this information, refer to these relevant sections later in
this book.
Below is a summary of each question:
1. Interval (days) – the time between irrigation shifts of the same block.
2. Energy type – specify if electric pump, diesel pump, or gravity pressure only.
3. Max available time (h/day) – this is the maximum number of hours you can irrigate. As discussed
in Book 1, you may have energy limitations to consider (or benefits such as lower cost tariffs times),
or limited water availability (e.g. water source capacity, or multiple uses for the same water source).
4. Irrigation time shift– this is analyzed in-depth in the following sections. However, in
short, here you specify the time required in order to provide the daily water demand of the crop at
peak flow requirement.
The formula:
(peak requirement (mm / inches per day))

Operation time(h)=
(irrigation rate (mm / inches per hour))
5. Shift nos – How many shifts will occur? This is also explored further in later sections.
6. Total hours-day (h)

Completing the questionnaire – water source data

Using the water source information from Book 1, the following items can be completed.
Note that “Type” refers to the type of source (e.g. well-water, reservoir).
A water analysis should be attached, or the water analysis questionnaire should be completed (see Book 1).
Completing the questionnaire – pumping data

In Book 2, pump attributes and selection are covered in detail.
If you already have a pump, the information you require should be readily available from the manufacturer.

operation and control
If you choose Automatic control,

there is an additional questionnaire that you need to complete.
Due to the complexity

of automation, it is
recommended you engage
a Rivulis representative
to provide assistance
in selecting the best
automation solution for your
farm.


order of operation
If you have a specific need of operation for each block, you can specify it here. Or you can leave it to the
designer (“designer prerogative”) to decide.
“Order” example (stripes) “Order” example (sections)
“Mix” example (mosaic)

mainline and submain locations
If you have a specific requirement for the mainline and submain locations, specify it in the relevant sections.

mainline and submain type
The pros and cons of each type are reviewed in Book 2. Specify your mainline and submain in the relevant
sections.

Completing the questionnaire – fertigation

A major benefit of drip irrigation is the ability to fertigate through the system. However, if you decide not to
fertigate, this is specified here.
If you choose to have fertigation, this will impact many areas of the system, so it needs to be factored in from
the start.
Completing the questionnaire – final words

The remainder of this design section of the book will explain design principles in more detail, which will help
you to complete the form. However, remember that your local Rivulis representative is there to assist you
through this process.
KEY DESIGN
PRINCIPALS

Although we would not recommend making your own design – unless you have an understanding of
design, of course – it is beneficial to have some knowledge of design principles. These will enable you to
better understand your system, and will also enable some back-of-envelope calculations.
Peak water requirement
The objective of an irrigation system is to replace the amount of water transpired by the plant and
evaporated from the soil and plant that is not supplied by natural rainfall.
This amount varies during the season, but there will be a peak water demand. For the purpose of design, this
is the number we care about the most as it is the “max” the system needs to handle.
For more information, see Book 1.
Peak water demand
Variance
between peak
& average
Average
water demand
METERS HEAD & STATIC

HEAD

Pressure gauges are generally in bar/kPa or psi. However, in design we use meters water head (feet of head
or psi).
Metric Measurements
Meters (feet) water head is the pressure of

the water that would occur if it was elevated
from the water discharge point.
The pressure is determined by the water level
10m
in the tank, not the bottom of the tank

What we see in the images to the right is the 1m

static head. There is no flow in the system.
US Measurements
1 m head
32 ft
= 9.782 kPa
= 0.09782 bar
= 1.488 psi
3.2 ft
= 3.28 feet of head

1 psi = 2.31 feet of head

1 foot of head = 0.43 psi
Head loss
In static head, there is no flow in the system. But what happens when there is flow?
In short, every item in the irrigation system will cause friction, which will reduce the energy of the water.
This is called head loss.
Back to our tanks example...
small pipe diameter(ø) big pipe diameter(ø)

= low pressure = higher pressure
smaller larger
diameter(ø) diameter(ø)

If the system is turned off, the pressure gauge on both would read 20 m (10 psi). This is the static pressure.
However, when there is flow, the pipes creates friction (head loss) as the water passes. Therefore, neither
pressure gauge will show 20 m (10 psi). The tank with the smaller diameter pipe will have a reduced pressure
(greater head loss) than the tank with the larger pipe.

What increases head loss?
Smaller diameter pipes

Longer distance pipes
Higher flow rate/velocity of water through the system
Higher friction coefficient of the pipe
What decreases head loss?
Larger diameter pipes

Shorter distance pipes
Lower flow rate/velocity
In Book 2 (“Head loss” section), we look at how head loss “adds up” throughout the system. You have a goal
of what you need for the emitter to perform, and you work back from there.
The example in Book 2 had a table with each component, starting at 31 m (46 psi) at the pump, and 9 m
(13 psi) at the emitter. Below is a graphical representation of the reduction of pressure from pump to emitter.
Head loss from pump to emitter

35
45 30
25
PSI
30 20
15
m
15 10
0
re on
p)
us
ve
er
in
io
io
itt
um
eo
l
ffe ti
Va
nc
nl
ct
at
di eva
Em
n
ai
Su
ltr
(p
la
M
El
Fi
el
art
isc
St
Although not all items are purely sequential in this order, the purpose of the above is to show the cumulative
effect of head loss. From a design perspective, we need to ensure that there is enough pressure at the end.
Of course, the above is an example only. Every system has different components and topography, and as
such, the m (ft of head or psi) reduction will vary.
Blocks
In Book 1, we covered that we have three “areas”, being farm (all fields), field (combination of blocks), and
blocks.
Block
Each area of crop where the irrigation is controlled by a valve (i.e. you can turn on/off the water to this area).
This diagrams shows a number of blocks, and

each color represents a shift. A shift is a series
of blocks that will operate together.
Block 1 Block 2
Block 3

Irrigation shifts
An irrigation shift occurs when an individual block, or group of blocks, are irrigated at the same time.
There is one mainline that supplies the whole system, and a valve turns each block on/off separately, which
in turn, enable the operation of irrigation shifts.
We make irrigation shifts primarily because it reduces the cost of the system considerably. You need smaller
mainlines, pump and filtration as the overall water flow at any one time is lower.
See the examples below.
A field with only 1 block

(1 irrigation shift)
By increasing the number of shifts,

you require smaller main control
head (e.g. filters, valves, etc) and
lower diameter mainlines.
But how many shifts can you have and A field with 2 blocks
(2 irrigation shifts)
still meet the water requirement?
A field with 4 blocks

(4 irrigation shifts)
Calculating irrigation shifts
Calculate the application rate of the drip line/tape you have selected.
emitter output (l/hr)

= application rate (mm/hr)
emitter spacing (m) x lateral spacing (m)
emitter output (gph) x 1.6

= application rate (in/hr)
emitter spacing (ft)output
emitter x lateral spacing (ft)
(l/hr)
= application rate (mm/hr)
emitter spacing (m) x lateral spacing (m)
emitter output (gph) x 1.6

= application rate (in/hr)
emitter spacing (ft) x lateral spacing (ft)
Calculate how many hours of irrigation are required to meet peak crop water
requirement based on the application rate.
peak water requirement of crop (mm/day) or (in/day)

= daily water requirement (hours)
application rate (mm/hr) or (in/hr)
This output is simply the number of hours the system needs to operate to achieve the peak water
requirement. However, not always do you have 24-hour supply, or you may want to utilize off peak electricity
tariffs.

Calculate how many shifts you can operate, based on how many hours you have/
want to use the system.
daily water supply (hours) how many shifts per day are possible
=
daily water requirements (hours) (and how many reserve hours you have)
The above is all calculated on the assumption of unlimited water source in terms of m3/hr (gpm) – both the
water source and the pump.
It is recommended not to irrigate more than 20–22 hours daily, and to leave spare time for maintenance and
malfunctions.
Calculating the flow required m3/hr to determine if the flow requirement can be met.
First convert the application rate (mm/hr) to (m/hr). Working in m will make it easier for the next calculation.
application rate mm/hr

= application rate in m/hr
1000
As there are 10,000 m2 in a hectare, multiply the above figure by 10,000 to obtain the flow per hectare.
application rate m/hr x 10,000 = m3/hr required per hectare
Multiply the above figure by the amount of hectares in each block.
m3/hr required per hectare x hectares in a block = m3/hr flow rate required
Calculating the flow required in gpm to determine if the flow requirement can be
met.
The USA system uses inches of applied water per hour (in/hr), which can be converted to gallons per minute
per acre (gpm/ac) by multiplying by a factor of 452.54. For example:
(0.037 in/hr) x 452.54 = 16.74 gpm/ac
A 40-acre set would require a flow rate of:
(16.74 gpm/ac) x 40 ac = 670 gpm
The factor of 452.54 was derived using the following formula:
(1 in/hr) x (1 ft/12 in) x (43,560 ft2/ac) x (1 hr/60 min) x (7.48 gal/ft3) = 452.54 gpm/ac

Irrigation scheduling
Based on the above calculations, you will have determined how many shifts you require, and how many
hours for each shift.
You can now schedule your irrigation, which depends on numerous factors such as soil type, crop type, and
system configuration.
Below are two examples of three shift operations, one with three shifts per day, and one with one shift per
day.
All shifts each day

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
The calculations that we have made so far have

been daily requirements. However, the previous
II formulas can be calculated to per week values
so you can create a weekly water schedule,
unless you plant to irrigate all shifts every day.
III
Remember that the system has been designed

One shift per day
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
to meet the peak requirement. There will be
periods where the system can run for shorter
periods as the irrigation demand is lower due to
crop life stage and weather conditions.
Shift I Shift II Shift III
MAINLINE AND
SUBMAIN DESIGN

The goal of the design is to apply the required water, at the required pressure, with the minimum system
(upfront) and ongoing (running) costs. The system should also be designed to allow for future expansion if it
is expected.
As mainlines can often be 1/3 of the cost of the entire system, it can be very tempting to reduce the
diameter of the pipe and to increase the velocity through the pipe. However, caution must be advised as this
will increase your operating costs.
Remember:
Increased velocity = greater friction = greater head (pressure) loss = higher pumping cost.
While meeting m3/hr (gpm) requirements
Higher Lower
upfront cost ongoing cost
(larger diameter) (larger diameter)
Main lines and submain design

Size (mm-O.D.) 20 25 32 40 50 63 75 90 110 125 140 160 200 250 315 355 400 450 500 560 630
W.T. 2 2.3 3 3.7 4.6 5.8 6.8 8.2 10 11.4 12.7 14.6 18.2 22.7 28.6 32.3 36.3 40.9 45.4 50.8 57.2
I.D. 16 20.4 26 32.6 40.8 51.4 61.4 73.6 90 102.2 114.6 130.8 163.6 204.6 257.8 290.4 327.4 368.2 409.2 458.4 515.6
G.P.H. m3/hr l/s
79.2 0.36 0.1 2.83 0.89
158.4 0.72 0.2 9.65 3.03 0.95
237.6 1.08 0.3 19.77 6.20 1.95 0.66
316.8 1.44 0.4 32.90 10.32 3.25 1.10 0.38
396 1.8 0.5 48.83 15.32 4.82 1.64 0.56
475.2 2.16 0.6 67.42 21.16 6.65 2.26 0.78
554.4 2.52 0.7 27.80 8.74 2.97 1.02 0.34
633.6 2.88 0.8 35.21 11.07 3.76 1.29 0.43
712.8 3.24 0.9 43.37 13.64 4.64 1.59 0.53 0.23
792 3.6 1 16.43 5.59 1.92 0.64 0.27
1584 7.2 2 19.05 6.53 2.17 0.93 0.39 0.15
2376 10.8 3 13.39 4.45 1.91 0.80 0.31 0.17
3168 14.4 4 7.40 3.17 1.34 0.51 0.28 0.16 0.09
The recommended maximum velocity is 3960

4752
5544
18
21.6
25.2
5
6
7
10.99
15.18
4.71
6.50
8.54
1.98
2.74
3.60
0.76
1.05
1.38
0.41
0.57
0.75
0.24
0.33
0.44
0.13
0.18
0.23 0.08
6336 28.8 8 10.82 4.56 1.75 0.95 0.55 0.29 0.10
1.5–2.5 m/sec (5.0–7.5 ft/sec). Above this

7128 32.4 9 5.61 2.15 1.17 0.68 0.36 0.12
7920 36 10 6.76 2.59 1.41 0.82 0.44 0.15 0.05
9504 43.2 12 9.34 3.58 1.95 1.13 0.60 0.21 0.07
11088 50.4 14 4.70 2.56 1.48 0.79 0.27 0.09
12672 57.6 16 5.95 3.25 1.88 1.00 0.34 0.12 0.04
velocity, in addition to high friction, there will 14256

15840
17424
64.8 18
72 20
79.2 22
7.33 4.00
4.82
5.70
2.32
2.79
3.30
1.23
1.49
1.76
0.42
0.51
0.60
0.15
0.18
0.21
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.03
0.04
19008 86.4 24 6.65 3.85 2.05 0.71 0.24 0.08 0.05
also be increased risk of water hammer in the

20592 93.6 26 4.44 2.36 0.81 0.28 0.09 0.05
22176 100.8 28 5.06 2.69 0.93 0.32 0.11 0.06 0.03
23760 108 30 5.72 3.04 1.05 0.36 0.12 0.07 0.04
25344 115.2 32 3.41 1.17 0.40 0.13 0.08 0.04 0.02
26928 122.4 34 3.80 1.31 0.45 0.15 0.08 0.05 0.03
mainline. 28512
30096
31680
129.6 36
136.8 38
144 40
4.20
4.63
5.06
1.45
1.59
1.74
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.17
0.18
0.20
0.09
0.10
0.11
0.05
0.06
0.06
0.03
0.03
0.04 0.02
35640 162 45 2.15 0.74 0.25 0.14 0.08 0.04 0.03
39600 180 50 2.59 0.89 0.30 0.17 0.09 0.05 0.03 0.02
43560 198 55 3.06 1.05 0.35 0.20 0.11 0.06 0.04 0.02
47520 216 60 3.57 1.23 0.41 0.23 0.13 0.07 0.05 0.03
51480 234 65 1.42 0.47 0.27 0.15 0.09 0.05 0.03 0.02
55440 252 70 1.61 0.54 0.30 0.17 0.10 0.06 0.03 0.02
59400 270 75 1.82 0.61 0.34 0.19 0.11 0.07 0.04 0.02
63360 288 80 2.04 0.68 0.38 0.22 0.12 0.07 0.04 0.02
71280 324 90 2.52 0.84 0.47 0.27 0.15 0.09 0.05 0.03
79200 360 100 1.01 0.57 0.32 0.18 0.11 0.06 0.04
87120 396 110 1.19 0.68 0.38 0.22 0.13 0.08 0.04
95040 432 120 1.39 0.79 0.45 0.25 0.15 0.09 0.05
102960 468 130 1.60 0.91 0.51 0.29 0.18 0.10 0.06
110880 504 140 1.83 1.04 0.58 0.33 0.20 0.12 0.07
Pipe manufacturers publish head loss charts 118800
126720
134640
540 150
576 160
612 170
2.07 1.17
1.31
1.46
0.66
0.74
0.82
0.38
0.42
0.47
0.23
0.26
0.28
0.13
0.15
0.17
0.08
0.08
0.09
142560 648 180 1.62 0.91 0.52 0.31 0.18 0.10
that allow you to calculate the total head loss 150480

158400
166320
684 190
720 200
756 210
1.78 1.00
1.10
1.20
0.57
0.63
0.68
0.35
0.38
0.41
0.20
0.22
0.24
0.12
0.13
0.14
174240 792 220 1.30 0.74 0.45 0.26 0.15
182160 828 230 1.41 0.80 0.49 0.28 0.16
based on the diameter, velocity, and flow rate, 190080
198000
205920
864 240
900 250
936 260
1.52
1.63
0.87
0.93
1.00
0.52
0.56
0.60
0.30
0.33
0.35
0.17
0.19
0.20
213840 972 270 1.07 0.65 0.38 0.21
like the example to the right. 221760

229680
237600
1008 280
1044 290
1080 300
1.14
1.21
1.29
0.69
0.73
0.78
0.40
0.43
0.45
0.23
0.24
0.26
245520 1116 310 1.36 0.82 0.48 0.27
253440 1152 320 0.87 0.51 0.29
261360 1188 330 0.92 0.54 0.31
269280 1224 340 0.97 0.56 0.32
277200 1260 350 1.02 0.59 0.34
285120 1296 360 1.07 0.62 0.36
293040 1332 370 1.13 0.66 0.37
300960 1368 380 1.18 0.69 0.39
308880 1404 390 1.24 0.72 0.41
316800 1440 400 0.75 0.43
332640 1512 420 0.82 0.47
348480 1584 440 0.89 0.51
364320 1656 460 0.96 0.55
380160 1728 480 1.04 0.59
396000 1800 500 0.64
435600 1980 550 0.75
475200 2160 600 0.88
514800 2340 650
554400 2520 700
Other considerations for mainlines and submains
Where possible, placing the valve to the midpoint

of the submain will reduce the size of the submain
you require, as there is a shorter total length for the
water to travel.
Remember that on sloping ground, and when using

a submain with opposing laterals extending from
each side, the required inlet pressure of both sides
needs to be considered.
If it is possible for the laterals to run the full length of

the block, place the submain at the end of the row
at the high side. If not, you can have a submain
making a center-fed system as illustrated.
Submains should be placed in an acceptable location,

meeting the maximum pressure range of the drip
laterals and the pipe grade.

CAVITATION
A system should be designed to minimize cavitiation – both in the pump and throughout the network
accessories.
Cavitation occurs when the system pressure decreases below the vapor pressure. This creates very small
bubbles, which quickly collapse when the pressure returns above the vapor pressure point..
When the bubbles collapse, they emit pressure shock waves that erode plastic and metal surfaces, and you
can hear a sound.
Needless to say, cavitation should be avoided, especially in the pump.
Ensure that the pump is working in the specified range as published by the manufacturer. Most importantly,
ensure that the net positive suction head available does not drop below the vapor pressure of the liquid. The
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) available must be higher than the NPSH required.

WATER HAMMER
If you throw a tennis ball against a wall, it bounces back.
The same occurs with water running through a pipe. As it

moves, it will “hit” items in the network, especially if it comes
to a sudden stop. The water “bounces” back causing water
hammer.
Water hammer can do a lot of damage including rupturing

pipeline and fittings.
The two main causes of water hammer are:
a sudden closing valve

a sudden pump shut off due to electricity failure.
How to reduce water hammer
for a closed system such as a mainline, keep the water velocity at safe levels (e.g. below 2.5 m/sec)
secure the pipe network
include spring-loaded check valves
use fast-acting pressure relief valves
use a water hammer anticipator device

INSTALLATION
For this section of the book, we will look at the
various areas of installation, with an emphasis
on the drip laterals.
There are hazards associated with working with farm and irrigation equipment. You must
educate yourself about all the health hazards related to your work and the proper safety means,
including by consulting with safety professionals, read manufacturers safety sheets, and comply
with all local safety standards and regulations before use. Safety guidelines may include,
among others, correct lifting techniques, safety instructions for working around vehicles and
heavy equipment, use of machinery including earth moving equipment, tractors, and tractor
implements such as irrigation installation implements, use of glues/solvents, use of irrigation
equipment and pressurized water, use of electrical equipment, and for agriculture in general.
All photos and illustrations are indicative as a general guide only as product, equipment,
application of use, and local regulations may differ. All instructions, photos and illustrations are
subordinate to the instructions of the manufacturer of such equipment and to applicable safety
laws and regulations.
INSTALLATION
OF DRIP LATERALS

Most damage to drip laterals occurs during installation.
Care must be taken for all drip lateral types, but extra care must be taken for thin wall drip lines and tapes.
Before installation
Before installation, store the drip line/tape in a protected
area and leave wrapping in place until ready to install.
• Moisture can damage the cardboard.
• Sunlight in the cases of clear shrink wrap without
cardboard wrap can create a magnifying glass effect
through water droplets, which burns the tube.
Prepare the soil and beds before planting. The particle

size should be small and uniform for subsurface drip
irrigation (SDI) and thin wall installation. The soil should
be prepared to the depth required of the lateral
placement.
For example, if it is SDI 30 cm (12 in), the soil needs to be
prepared to at least 30 cm (12 in) depth.
If ground insects are a problem, use either Rivulis

Defend (where available) or insecticides before or during
installation.
Installation equipment
Daily inspection of installation equipment is required
There are various options for installation, but no matter what you use, vigilant daily inspection is required,
especially of any parts that come into contact with the drip laterals.
THE BIG RISKS:

Friction burns
Sharp edges
Burns
Nicks

Get out your stocking!
An effective way to find edges that can damage

your tube is to pull some stockings through the
installation shank with light tension.
If you find that the stocking is damaged when

you pull it through, you know that there is a
problem that will also damage your drip tube.
Friction burns
Friction burns are a risk for thin wall products (especially) that have cardboard discs.
It occurs when the tape rubs against the cardboard discs during installation.
Prevention methods:
Ensure that the rolls can spin smoothly

Use a well-designed tension brake system. The purpose is to stop the rolls spinning (freewheeling),
as this can cause the tube to trap itself against the sides of the cardboard roll
Wood or metal disks should be used to support the cardboard discs
During
installation
For flat drip lines and tapes –
drippers face up.
ALWAYS
Sediment will build in the tube

over time. This sediment falls to
√
the bottom of the tube. If the
Sediment builds up in the lower part
dripper is on the bottom of the of the drip line
away from the dripper
×
tube, it will enter the emitter,
greatly increasing your clogging
risk.
The above applies for flat drippers

and tapes. It is not required for
round drip lines that have 2 x
outlets on opposing sides.
Sediment builds up in the dripper

Steps for installation

Regardless of your system (e.g. SDI, hanging, single season), the high level steps
for drip lateral installation remain relatively constant.
1.Mount the installation equipment to

the tractor.
a. If using three-point linkage, the
front of the installation equipment
should be slightly lower than the
back of the implement.
b. A depth wheel is highly

recommended.
c. When the tube is to be buried,

be sure that the soil is recovered
over the area of installation. This
can be made with discs, arms, or
metal chains.
2. Remove the shrink wrap of the rolls.

Do not use a knife.
3. Mount the roll in the direction so that the drippers

will face up when it is fed through (as pictured).
Plastic roller guides can assist to prevent thinner
wall products from flipping.
4. Remove the bellyband wrap (if applicable).

Do not use a knife.

5. Thread the tube through the injection tool. The roll

should be positioned directly above the injection
tool.
6. Adjust the injection tool to the required depth

(if applicable).
7. Secure the beginning of the

laterals. A weighted object or a
stake should be used for on-surface /
shallow burial applications.
8. Start installation, taking care not

to start or stop the tractor abruptly.
9. Leave extra length at both ends

of the laterals to allow for expansion
and contraction (usually 0.75–1.0 m
(2.5–3.5 ft)). Also leave enough length
at the start of the lateral to connect to
the submain, and at the end to
connect to the flushing manifold if
applicable.

10. If hanging the drip line, first roll it out

on the ground and give it time to
expand/contract. Then affix it to the wire
with Rivulis clips.
11. Check often throughout the process

of installation.
SAFETY FIRST: Ensure the safety of every

person involved by following the instructions
of the relevant manufacturer before use,
and by observing all appropriate local safety
regulations. These can include, but are not
limited to, the correct lifting techniques of drip
tube, the operation of and around vehicles and
heavy equipment, safety around sharp objects,
the use of glues/solvents, and the maintenance
of first aid kits. Ensure that all people involved
are familiar with and follow all relevant
instructions and guidelines.
12. Once installed, do not leave the lateral ends

open for a long time. If the laterals will not
be connected/ends terminated within a
relatively short period of time, there is a risk of
dirt ingestion and insects entering the tube. In
this case, the ends should be closed off until
they are connected/terminated.

If you are installing by hand and not using a tractor
The end of the drip lateral should be secured to the start point of the row,
and the roll/coil should be held and walked along the row to roll out the
drip lateral.
√
Do not mount the coil/roll at the end of a row and pull the drip lateral,
as this can damage (stretch) the tube.

INSTALLATION
OF MAINLINES &
SUBMAINS
Installing buried mainlines

and submains
Before digging starts, mark the lines according

to the design. This can be also made by a GPS.
Don’t start digging until you have confirmed that

you have all the parts necessary for the installation
according to the design and the tools required.
Open trenches should not be left overnight. Plan
to install the PVC/PE on the same day that you
trench.

Trenches should be as narrow as possible to

minimize the creation of depressions, but large
enough to work around.
Nominal Pipe size Minimum trench width
< 75 mm (3'') 300 mm (12”)
75 - 610 mm (3' - 24'') Pipe Outside Diameter + 300 mm (+ 12'')
> > 610 mm (24”) Pipe Outside Diameter + 600 mm (+ 24'')
OD
OD = Outside Diameter
WT = Wall Thickness
ID = Inside Diameter
WT
ID
OD = ID + (2 x WT)
The trench bottom should be constructed to

provide a firm, stable, and uniform support over
the entire length of the pipe.
The trench should be devoid of rocks and debris

that can damage the pipe. If there are many rocks,
you may need to place sand or stoneless soil
along the bed.
Note: if the soil has a large rock content, when

backfilling the trench, the layer above the pipe
itself needs to be covered with stoneless soil or
sand.
Earth removed from trenches should always be

placed on the uphill side of the trench. Runoff
from rainstorms can quickly fill the trench and pipe
with dirt and debris and float any recently
installed PVC pipe. As such, installation should not
occur during rain.

For buried submains in subsurface applications,

they need to be deeper than the drip lateral.
They also should be placed on the closest side
of the trench to the drip line laterals, and support
soil should be placed before connection to
the risers to the laterals to prevent movement
and stretching/pulling out the connectors.
Ensure that the pipe is buried deep enough so

that subsequent soil preparation does not
damage the pipe.
If using PVC with gaskets installation should occur inside the trench.
Care should also be taken with anchoring the PVC pipe. This is the placement of soil or concrete thrust
blocks to support the PVC against locations of pressure where the gaskets could open. The diagram
below shows common pressure locations that require placement of soil or thrust blocks to protect
gaskets from opening. There are formulas to determine the size of the thrust block depending on the soil
type and expectant hydraulic force.

• If using PVC with glue, installation can be

made either outside the trench or inside the
trench. Outside is generally easier.
The “glue” is actually a solvent cement that

is formulated to bond the PVC pipe and fittings
together. It requires the use of a primer to
soften the surface. Follow the instructions for
correct use, including all safety instructions,
of the manufacturer.
For PE:
• If installing from a reel, first roll out next to

the trench, then place the pipe into the trench.
Make sure there are no kinks.
• If installing using PE straight lengths, weld as

required before placement into the trench.
For buried submains, risers can be installed

into the pipe before the placement into trenches
if desired.
Installing layflat and flat PE submains
The submains should be installed in a

shallow trench. This helps keep the
hose moving away from the laterals,
which causes laterals to pop-off.
The trench should be the width of the

layflat (e.g. 4” wide for 4” layflat)
and ½ the diameter for the depth
(e.g. 2” for 4” layflat).
When installing, pull it tight every 15 m

(50 ft) or so to eliminate kinks
and snaking.

Never drag the hose.
A note for seasonal layflat retrieval

– in most cases, the core diameter
when retrieving must be above
100 mm (4”).
CONNECTION
OF DRIP LATERALS
TO SUBMAINS

The common connections that are used are summarized below.
Thin wall Heavy wall

drip line/ tape drip line
Layflat PVC High

PVC/PE
(H5100/ProFlat)/ PE submain submain pressure
submain
H6000/H6500 PE) layflat
submain (H5200)
How to connect
Thin wall drip line/tape  layflat submain
Once the layflat is installed, a layflat cutter

is used to create a hole for the layflat start
connector. This hole needs to be to the
size of the start-connector.
The start-connector is inserted as shown,

and then is screwed tight.
Once it is connected, the layflat start-connector is

attached directly to the thin wall drip line/tape.

Thin wall drip line/tape  H6000/H6500 PE

submain
Rivulis H6000/H6500 PE layflat has pre-installed threaded outlets in the layflat itself. This avoids the need (and
labor) to cut the layflat and insert connectors. It also provides a leak-free seal that does not stretch or wear.
Either T or elbow take-offs (start-connectors) are screwed into the outlets of the H6000/H6500 layflat, or
installed using a quick connector take-off. Either thin wall tape or drip line is connected to the take-off using
the screw connector.
Before deploying When rolling, Avoid sharp angles. Install start Install
the hose, prepare ensure that outlets H6000 elbow connectors into drip line / drip tape
a shallow ditch for face up connectors are outlets
the H6000 to be available where 90°
installed connections are
required.
Thin wall drip line/tape  PE submain

Generally, connection to PE submains is made using a connector after a hole is made in the submain, and
then using an inserter.
Create a hole in the poly hose submain that is slightly smaller than the outside diameter (OD) of the barb
fitting. The dimension of the hole and tool to use is listed in the Rivulis Connectors brochure.
The above applies for on-ground PE hose only.
If installing to a buried PE submain, the installation will usually have a riser and
you should refer to the “Heavy wall drip line/LDPE  PVC/PE submain” section,
as the riser is usually LDPE.

Thin wall drip line/tape  buried PVC/PE submain

When using thin wall drip lines / tapes, and connecting to buried submains, a riser is often used between
the submain and the drip lateral.
Connection of the drip lateral to the riser is simply

by using the appropriate connector – usually a PE
(barbed) to drip tape/drip line connector.
The connection of the riser to the submain is the

same process as per the “Heavy wall drip line/
LDPE  PVC/PE submain” section.
Heavy wall drip line/LDPE  PVC/PE submain

This also applies for PE hose risers that are used between the PVC/PE and the drip laterals.
Use the appropriate size drill bit to create a hole in

the PVC. The drill bit size is specified in the Rivulis
Connectors brochure for the associated grommet and
take-off.
Insert the rubber grommet.
Insert the start connector

Connect the take-off to the

riser or directly to the drip line.
In some applications of
permanent submains, saddles
are also used for connection.
For PE of diameters up to
50 mm (2”), a grommet is not
always necessary.
TERMINATING DRIP
LATERAL ENDS

This task should be done only after flushing.
The common options for terminating drip laterals are described below.
Simple closing bands (tapes and thin wall only)

A no material cost solution, this is effective and moderately easy to do.
Cut to make a sleeve Fold the drip lateral once Fold the drip lateral twice Slide the sleeve over the
folded drip lateral
Individual flushing valves (both thin wall drip lines/

tapes and heavy wall)
Two options are available. The principle remains the same, but the specific connector type will vary and
needs to be chosen dependent on whether it is a tape, thin wall or heavy wall tube.
1. An end-connector with a manually operated valve – this enables flushing by opening the valve. When
installing, you should leave the valve position open in preparation for flushing.
2. An automated flushing valve – provides some automated flushing, but remember that these
flushing valves remove the build-up at the end of the drip lateral only. A high velocity flushing
regime is still required.
End plug/line end clamps (heavy wall drip lines

only)
Two options:
1. A terminating end plug – note, this will make flushing difficult.

2. A line end clamp – allows for easier flushing.
Flushing manifold
Terminating drip laterals are irrelevant if you have a flushing manifold. You connect the end of the drip
laterals to the flushing manifold using the appropriate connection type for the tube type of the flushing
manifold.
Flush Valve Laterals
Zone 1
Mainline
Flushing manifold
Do not connect drip laterals to the Submain
flushing manifold until each lateral has

been flushed and that water is seen Zone 2
discharging. You need to see that Valve
each drip lateral is working, which is
impossible once it is connected to the
flushing manifold. Flushing Manifold System

STARTUP (FIRST USE)

The first operation of your irrigation system
requires a specific set of steps to flush the
system and to ensure it is working correctly.
STEP 1 – FLUSHING

When you installed the system, most likely some dirt and other debris entered the pipework. You need to
expel this before using the system.
Flushing must occur in the following order:
1. each end of the mainline individually

2. each end of the submain individually
3. the laterals in 25% of the block at a time, according to the required velocity (see Book 4).
The flushing process
This is a high-level overview of flushing. Refer to Book 4 – Maintenance – “Flushing” for detailed information.
Remember:
Before starting the pump, make sure that all necessary valves are open,
including at the main control head.
1. Open the mainline flushing valves individually with submain valves

closed until discharge water runs clear for three to five minutes.
Note: In large systems, dye can be added in the filter station –

when the dye is no longer visible at the end of the line, flushing is
complete.
2. Close the mainline flushing valves.
3. Check for continuity in the pressure readings for a period of time.

If there are any variations, check for any leakages in the mainline.
4. Open the submain valves and open the submain flushing valves
individually and operate until the discharge water runs clear for
three to five minutes.
5. Close the submain flushing valves.
6. Perform a pressure test and leak test on submain lines the same
way as done for the mainline.
7. At this stage, you need to back-flush the filters, in particular if you

are using media filters.
New sand in media filters contains fine particles that do not wash
out during the manufacturing process. These particles restrict
flow and must be back-washed out as soon as possible.
Usually, up to 0.2 bar (3 psi) maximum differential across the

filter bed is acceptable. A larger differential may indicate more
back-washing is necessary.
More information pertaining to filter back-flushing is found in

Book 4 – Maintenance – “Filters”.

8. With the end of the drip laterals open, open the control valve of
the block. Run until the discharge water at the end of each lateral
runs clear.
If the capacity of your water supply is not high enough to flush all
laterals simultaneously, with sufficient velocity, it may be
necessary to terminate some of the laterals so that you can flush
only a few laterals at a time.
For drip laterals, you need to achieve a minimum water velocity of

0.3 m/sec (1 ft/sec). To measure this velocity, see Book 4 –
Maintenance – “Flushing”. However, as a rule of thumb, closing
~75% of drip laterals of a block and keeping ~25% only open will
generally ensure adequate velocity.
9. Inspect the quality of the water being expelled. Poor quality

water could indicate that the filters are not operating correctly.
In all cases, inspect that water is being expelled from every

drip lateral. This is particularly important if you are using a
flushing manifold, as this is your only chance to inspect each
lateral before it is connected. Never connect the lateral to a
flushing manifold, or close a lateral, until you see that water
comes out.
10. Close the block control valves.
11. For each block, once you see water being expelled, and if you
are using a flushing manifold, at this time you can connect to
the flushing manifold and you need to flush the flushing
manifold by opening each section individually. Keep the flushing
manifold valve open.
STEP 2 – CALIBRATION

The system is now flushed, so now you need to calibrate the valves.
1. Adjust all valves throughout the system.
Start at the pump and work towards the

end of the system.
At each point, adjust the valves to match

the pressure indicated on the design.
2. Close the laterals or, if using a flushing

manifold, close the valves of the flushing
manifold.
STEP 3 – TESTING

With the system now “closed”, the next step is to

ensure everything is working correctly.
1. Operate the system until it is fully pressurized

and all air is discharged.
2. Check the system for leaks and repair them if

necessary.
3. If leaks are found, re-flush the affected areas

after all leaks are repaired.
Once the system is verified to have no leaks:
1. Record initial readings on flow meter.

You will use this as a basis for detecting
clogging/leaks.
2. Recheck the pressure

Once the system is fully pressurized, check that
the pressures conform to design calculations.
Record these pressures. Perform these checks
regularly.

CHECKLIST
Below is a helpful checklist for the first operation of your irrigation system.

Below is a helpful checklist for the first operation of your irrigation system.
US Measurements version

Now what
If you followed the steps so far, your irrigation system will be in tip-top condition. Your next goal, aside from
growing profitable crops (of course), is to keep the system in top condition. To Book 4 – Maintenance.

THE
RIVULIS
DRIP GUIDE
GROW
BEYOND
www.rivulis.com
3

Rivulis Drip Guide Book 3 20230209 Eng-Webversion

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rivulis Drip Guide Book 3 20230209 Eng-Webversion

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THE

2 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

The complete set

Introduction to drip irrigation Overview of drip irrigation Design Maintenance

Edition: February 2023

Written by Matt Clift

4 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Completing the questionnaire – operation and control 24

6 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Terminating drip lateral ends 78

Startup (first use) 81

A good irrigation system is one that enables the grower to:

apply the required right amount of water

at the right time

with good uniformity

8 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Uniformity Application rate

What is the minimum uniformity What is the maximum water

System life System cost

Decide whether your drip line/ Know your sensitivity to cost

10 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Sprinkler and spray calculations

Submain and mainline calculations

Evaluate an overall system

Making the complex simple

Designing large and complex irrigation systems

Main pipe design and network analysis Block design

• 5,000 nodes • 5,000 subareas

• 5,000 sections • 5,000 blocks per subarea

• 99 cases (water sources) per project • 5,000 laterals per block

• 25 shifts • 150 sprinklers per branch

• 5,000 emitters per lateral

• Survey Hydraulic calculation modules

• Clement method for network analysis • Single diameter

• Material list • Multi diameter

• Max length graphical

Lateral flushing • Optimize section

• PRV auto placement (block) https://www.rivulis.com/wcadi/

• Laterals along elevation contours

12 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

14 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

16 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Completing the questionnaire –

Ensure that your map includes:

• field layout and row directions

Location of obstacles Topographic

18 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Completing the questionnaire –

Crop spacing (Question 3)

Row distance (Question 4)

Lateral spacing (Question 10)

Here are two examples. The row

(16 ft) in the first example, and 10 Row D

20 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Number of laterals per row (Question 11)

Completing the questionnaire –

Completing the questionnaire –

Below is a summary of each question:

(peak requirement (mm / inches per day))

6. Total hours-day (h)

22 THE RIVULIS DRIP GUIDE

Completing the questionnaire – water source data

Completing the questionnaire – pumping data