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Efficiency of Backwashing in Removing Solids from Sand Media Filters for Drip Irrigation Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Miquel Duran-Ros

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

  • Joan Pujol

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

  • Toni Pujol

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

  • Sílvia Cufí

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

  • Jonathan Graciano-Uribe

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

  • Gerard Arbat

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

  • Francisco Ramírez de Cartagena

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

  • Jaume Puig-Bargués

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

Abstract

Sand media filters are especially recommended to prevent emitter clogging with loaded irrigation waters, but their performances rely on backwashing. Despite backwashing being a basic procedure needed to restore the initial filtration capacity, there is a lack of information about the solid removal efficiency along the media bed depth. An experimental filter with a 200 mm silica sand bed height was used to assess the effect of two operation velocities (30/45 and 60/75 (filtration/backwashing) m h −1 ) and two clogging particles (inorganic sand dust and organic from a reclaimed effluent) on the efficiency of backwashing for removing the total suspended solids retained in different media bed slices. The average solid removal backwashing efficiency was greater with organic particles (78%) than with inorganic ones (64%), reaching its maximum at a 5–15 mm bed depth. A higher operation velocity increased the solid removal efficiency by 16%, using organic particles, but no significant differences were observed with inorganic particles. The removal efficiencies across the media bed were more uniform with organic particles (63–89%) than with inorganic (40–85%), which makes it not advisable to reduce the media height when reclaimed effluents are used. This study may contribute to future improvements in sand media filter design and management.

Suggested Citation

  • Miquel Duran-Ros & Joan Pujol & Toni Pujol & Sílvia Cufí & Jonathan Graciano-Uribe & Gerard Arbat & Francisco Ramírez de Cartagena & Jaume Puig-Bargués, 2024. "Efficiency of Backwashing in Removing Solids from Sand Media Filters for Drip Irrigation Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:9:p:1570-:d:1475064
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mesquita, M. & Testezlaf, R. & Ramirez, J.C.S., 2012. "The effect of media bed characteristics and internal auxiliary elements on sand filter head loss," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 178-185.
    2. Zhou, Hongxu & Li, Yunkai & Wang, Yan & Zhou, Bo & Bhattarai, Rabin, 2019. "Composite fouling of drip emitters applying surface water with high sand concentration: Dynamic variation and formation mechanism," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 25-43.
    3. Tarjuelo, José M. & Rodriguez-Diaz, Juan A. & Abadía, Ricardo & Camacho, Emilio & Rocamora, Carmen & Moreno, Miguel A., 2015. "Efficient water and energy use in irrigation modernization: Lessons from Spanish case studies," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 67-77.
    4. 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.
    5. Miquel Duran-Ros & Joan Pujol & Toni Pujol & Sílvia Cufí & Gerard Arbat & Francisco Ramírez de Cartagena & Jaume Puig-Bargués, 2023. "Solid Removal across the Bed Depth in Media Filters for Drip Irrigation Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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