Characterization of manual filters for irrigation: Removal efficiency of suspended particles and effective filtration mesh

ABSTRACT Drip irrigation stands out for its high efficiency and low energy consumption, but its performance is highly dependent on water quality. Suspended solids can cause emitter clogging, making filtration a critical component for system reliability. This study evaluated disc and screen filters to determine filtration effectiveness, assess the influence of inlet velocity on efficiency, evaluate pressure drop with and without the filter element, and identify optimal operating flow rates. Four tests were performed with different particle size ranges (250-212 µm; 212-180 µm; 180-150 µm; 150-125 µm; 125-106 µm) and inlet velocities of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.9 m s⁻¹, corresponding to flow rates of 20, 30, and 40 m³ h⁻¹. An effective particle removal efficiency above 85% was considered acceptable. Results showed that a filter inlet velocity of up to 0.6 m s⁻¹ is recommended for efficient filtration. The 120-mesh disc filter demonstrated a wider operational range regarding both inlet velocity and particle retention than the screen filter. Although disc filters provided better filtration performance, they also generated higher pressure drops. Optimal operation for screen filters occurred between 20 and 30 m³ h⁻¹, with pressure drops from 34.3 to 35.3 kPa, whereas disc filters performed best between 20 and 25 m³ h⁻¹, with pressure drops of 26.5 to 29.4 kPa.