Performance Computational Fluid Dynamics Software Tools in Determination Emitters Outflow

Hydraulic performance of emitters plays a major role in the trickle (drip) irrigation system uniformity. But، manufacturing proper emitters is highly expensive and time consuming. On the other hand، the study of flow behavior of the water passing through emitters'' channels is difficult because of their small size and complexity. Therefore، it seems that Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can significantly contribute to the study of flow hydraulic characteristics in emitter channels. In the present study، the three emitter codes A، B and C were selected and their channels size determined using the Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) for taking the pictures of channels. The flow in emitters channels was simulated with the two software FLOW3D and FLUENT. In this study laminar and turbulence models were applied for the simulation of flow in emitters'' channels، the discharge for each emitter was calculated. Verification of the CFD simulation results with those obtained in laboratory showed that Relative error value (Er) for laminar model of FLUENT، turbulent model of FLUENT، laminar model of FLOW3D، turbulent model of FLOW3D was 4. 0، 4. 4، 5. 3، 12. 0 per cent respectively. Laminar model estimated emitters discharge less than turbulent model. Also، it was shown that in both models FLOW3D and FLUENT the error calculated for turbulent model is greater than laminar model and that FLUENT software is more efficient than FLOW3D in the simulation of flow within emitters'' channels. But، generally، it can be said that the two software tools can simulate flow in emitters'' channels with a good accuracy.