A Hydraulic Performance Optimization Framework for Rotary Refracting Sprinkler Systems

This study addresses the challenge of optimizing hydraulic performance in rotary refracting sprinkler systems by investigating how aeration treatment and inlet pressure influence the operation of the Nelson O3000 sprinkler. The objective was to determine the optimal configuration for enhanced irrigation efficiency. Based on the water-air automated sprinkler irrigation system, this study combined comprehensive evaluation methods to investigate the influence of the coupling of six levels of aeration rate and five different inlet pressures on the hydraulic performance of the rotating refraction sprinkler. The results show that the greater the inlet pressure, the greater were the sprinkler flow and sprinkler intensity. With the increase of the aeration rate, the sprinkler irrigation intensity and kinetic energy intensity gradually decreased. Comprehensive evaluation indicated that the seven best performing configurations all involved aeration, and the optimal condition was an inlet pressure of 0.10 MPa and an aeration rate of 1.86×10−3 m3 s−1. These results demonstrate that aeration sprinkler irrigation can optimize the hydraulic performance of the rotating refractive sprinkler (Nelson O3000), providing new ideas and technical support for water-saving irrigation technology.