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Environmental Assessment of Underdrain Designs for Granular Media Filters in Drip Irrigation Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Joan Pujol

    (Department of Chemical and Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Girona, C/Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Francesc X. Espinach

    (Design, Development and Product Innovation, Department of Organization, Business, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain)

  • Miquel Duran-Ros

    (Department of Chemical and Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Girona, C/Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Gerard Arbat

    (Department of Chemical and Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Girona, C/Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Toni Pujol

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, C/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Francisco Ramírez de Cartagena

    (Department of Chemical and Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Girona, C/Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Jaume Puig-Bargués

    (Department of Chemical and Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Girona, C/Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, Spain)

Abstract

Irrigation is very important for global food production and, therefore, it is key to moving towards increasingly sustainable irrigation systems. However, the adoption of more efficient water-use techniques, such as drip irrigation, increases energy consumption. A large part of the efficiency of drip irrigation systems depends on the equipment used, such as filters. The environmental impact of three media filters (a prototype with a porous media underdrain and two commercial filters, with inserted domes and collector arms underdrains, respectively) with different bed heights, filtration rates, and medium materials was studied using the life cycle analysis (LCA). Under the operating conditions that minimize the impact, the inserted domes design has the lowest overall impact, achieving reductions of up to 432% and 18% in some impacts regarding the porous media and the collector arm, respectively. A porous media filter has a better energy performance, but its prototype status hinders it in the raw material, building, and end-of-life phases. Conversely, the arm collector has the worst environmental performance. This work shows that filter designs should prioritize solutions that allow for minimizing the energy consumption during their operation to increase its sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Joan Pujol & Francesc X. Espinach & Miquel Duran-Ros & Gerard Arbat & Toni Pujol & Francisco Ramírez de Cartagena & Jaume Puig-Bargués, 2022. "Environmental Assessment of Underdrain Designs for Granular Media Filters in Drip Irrigation Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:810-:d:831384
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arbat, G. & Pujol, T. & Puig-Bargués, J. & Duran-Ros, M. & Montoro, L. & Barragán, J. & Ramírez de Cartagena, F., 2013. "An experimental and analytical study to analyze hydraulic behavior of nozzle-type underdrains in porous media filters," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 64-74.
    2. Duran-Ros, M. & Puig-Bargués, J. & Arbat, G. & Barragán, J. & Cartagena, F. Ramírez de, 2009. "Effect of filter, emitter and location on clogging when using effluents," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 96(1), pages 67-79, January.
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