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AUTOMATION IN MICROIRRIGATION

presentation on :-

Subject: - Micro irrigation system design

Presented by: -BARIA DIPAK ( PAGEN-091-2012 )

KAUSHAL .V. GADARIYA (PAGEN-097-2012)

CHETAN CHAUHAN (PAGEN-092-2012)

Contents Introduction

System components of automated irrigation system

Preparation of programming schedule

Various types of automation system

Benefits of automized irrigation

Limitations of automized irrigation system

Introduction Automation is the godsend of farming.

In developed countries a large area has been

covered under automated micro irrigation

system.

It is relatively new; but getting popularity day-

by-day.

What is automation? Automation is a

kind of innovation, in

which the manual

interventions are

replaced by an

automated system to

perform all the

operations.

What is automation in micro irrigation?

It is a system by which all the operations

related to the supply of irrigation water or

fertilizer to the crop are carried out, automatically

with no or minimum manual interventions.

Scope of automation in micro irrigation The scope of automation has become a new

development in micro irrigation sector.

In India, the pressurized irrigation has created a

great awareness among the farmers.

From government side several initiatives have

been taken for popularization.

System components of automated irrigation

system

An automized micro-irrigation consists of

following three components

1.Sensors

2.Controllers

3.Monitoring software / decision

support system

Sensors These are the device used in

the system for producing

electrical signals related to

the parameter to be

measured.

Provide the basic data to

drive the automatic control

system Installation of sensor

Types of sensors1. Continuous sensors

Produce the electrical signals in

continuous form such as voltage,

current, conductivity,

capacitance etc

Used for measuring the pressure

drop across the filter or for

determining the soil moisture

tension.

2.Discrete sensors

These are the mechanical or

electronic switches

They indicate on/off condition

and also to indicate the

opening/closing state of valves,

alarms, etc

Different types of sensors Analog tensiometer.

Contact tensiometer.

Electrical resistance sensors.

Dielectric sensors.

Thermal soil matric potential sensor.

Gypsum block soil moisture sensor.

Controllers It is considered as the heart of automation system.

Its function is to coordinate the operation of entire

system.

They consists of an electronic calendar and the

clock.

There is option for irrigation schedule of weekdays.

Types of controllers1. Electromagnetic controllers :---

2. Electronic controllers

Control valves1. Hydraulic valves.

• These control valves are

operated by hydraulic pressure.

• Control tubes and solenoid coils

are used to transmit the

commands to valves.

• Two types of configuration

normally closed (NC) and

normally open (NO).

2.Automatic metering valves

Used in volume based

automated irrigation system.

Preparation of programming schedule

Programmed the irrigation system to determine

the duration of irrigation for the given crop, and

for each section.

Feed the duration of individual valves in the

controller along with system start time.

Set the controller clock in respect of current day

and time.

Working procedure As the clock of controller gets matched with the

start time of programme.

The controller starts sending 24V AC current to the

first solenoid valve in the programme sequencer.

At the same time the current reaches the master

relay to start the pump.

Various types of automation system

Time based system Volume based system Open Loop Systems Closed Loop Systems Real Time Feedback System Computer-based Irrigation Control Systems Sensor Controlled Micro Irrigation

Types of automation system

Operation time is considered as the basis of irrigation.

Operation time is computed on the basis of required

volume of water and the average rate of water flow.

Time based system

Feed the time in the controller

clock

Controller Valve 1

open

Valve 1 close

valve 2 open

signals

Volume based system

Provided with volume controlled metering valve by

which a preset amount of water is applied to the field.

It consists of 2 systems

System 2 Interconnected automatic metering valves at each

field segment.

For closing and opening of metering valves.

System 1Automatic metering valve with

pulse output

Controller Valve 1

Valve 2

Open loop system In this system information about irrigation duration

or required volume of water is feed to the control unit.

These information were programmed in he system controller.

Advantage - low cost. Disadvantage – system does not respond to the

environmental conditions.

Closed loop system

In this system one or more sensors are equipped.

Operator based on operator’s control strategy.

System takes the decision on he basis of sensors

data.

Real time feed back system

The system works on the basis of real feed back data

regarding demand of the crop at a given time.

Various sensors like tensiometer, relative humidity

sensors, rain sensors, temperature sensors etc, used to

feed the crop data to control unit.

Computer based irrigation control

system In this system, a hardware and software is equipped to

supervise the irrigation and other associated works like

fertigation, maintenance.

This control system used in MIS is divided into following

two categories:

1)Interactive system

2)Fully automatic system

1. Interactive system : - This system use a micro computer.

The data is transmitted to control unit from sensors and

then to central computer.

In system, the field devices like valves, regulators, pumps

etc., are fitted with electrically operated servo-device,

which operates them.

Operator has provision to control the flow from the central

computer by changing the parameters like pressure etc.

2. Automatic system : -

In this system person is completely avoided.

Computer is programmed to perform automatic

functions.

With the help of control devices corrections can be

done.

In this system there is a facility to stop the

function when there is a rainfall etc.

Benefits of automized irrigation Conservation of water, labour and energy.

Flexibility in operation. Precision and ease in operation. Adoption possibilities of advanced cropping and new

technologies. Feasibility of water use from different sources. Control on entire irrigation system. Enhancement in crop yield with better quality. Better water and nutrient use efficiency.

Limitations of automized irrigation system High system cost.

Sensor sensitivity.

Improper functioning of control valves.

Frequent maintenance.

Reference

Abraham, N.,Hema, P.S.,Saritha, E.K. & Subramannaiah,

S. (2000). Irrigation automation based on soil electrical

conductivity & leaf temperature. Agricultural water

management 45:145-157

R. Suresh, “ Micro irrigation theory and practice “

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