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Pumping protection equipment - II

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Protection elements of the irrigation network.

Table of contents: Pumping protection equipment - II

In the previous entry we have seen some of the pumping protection equipment. But we have not seen all of the most commonly used ones, in this entry of the Greenkeepedia we will review other protective equipment that will extend the life of the irrigation network.

  • Pressure reducer

Pressure reducing valves are very common elements in irrigation networks, especially in those installed in areas with many slopes. These devices have the ability to go from a pressure upstream of the pressure reducing valve to lower the downstream pipe pressure to a constant level.

It is very useful in farms with a lot of slope, it is usually placed in the lowest points of the plot to protect all the equipment downstream of the pressure reducing valve.

  • Balancing chimney

It is rare to see small balancing stacks in installations, but they are effective safety systems. It is a vertical pipe higher than the working height of the irrigation network in metres of water column. When the pressure is higher than the set pressure, it will be regulated by increasing the height of the chimney and even expelling it if the overpressure is high.

This type of protection equipment is not very common because it generally needs to be a few metres high. However, it has many points in its favour, as it is an element that does not require a lot of maintenance and its possibility of failure is minimal.

Balance stacks are becoming less common in new installations, but their effectiveness is more than proven.
  • Check or non-return valve.

This safety system is the most essential for the direct protection of pumps, although it can also be used at other points. The valve consists of a gate which opens when the water pushes in the right direction, but closes when the water direction changes. Placing them downstream of the pumps avoids any danger due to overpressure for the pump impeller. Nowadays all systems are equipped with such instruments.

  • Early-opening valve

This type of valve is very common in the most critical installations, and has a very important advantage over quick relief valves. These valves prevent the network from overpressure because, in contrast to quick-relief valves, they open before the pressure rises too high. They are equipped with a very sensitive sensor that allows the valve to open slightly when the overpressures are small, and another sensor calibrated to open the valve completely at higher pressures.

Like their sisters, they are installed at points where water can be poured in without any problem, because if they open they will spill liquid until the pressure in the network returns to a safe situation.

Failure to foresee the most critical points of the irrigation network and to protect it properly will shorten its service life.

These are the most common safety elements in irrigation installations, of which there are different types and manufacturers, but the essence of their operation remains the same.

We invite you from the Greekeepedia to comment on the pumping protection methods of your installation.

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