Application of Micro-Computed Tomography to Decipher Deposition and Flocking Patterns of Clogging Material on Cylindrical Drip Emitters

Five sets of cylindrical drip emitters used for up to five years in the farmlands were scanned using micro-computed tomography. Around 54.46–94.52% of the total clogging material on the emitters was found on the active outlet areas that facilitate delivery of water by the emitters. Also, larger flocks of the clogging material were found on the outlet areas. Emitter geometric features, viz. width of flow path, dent angle and boundary curvature were observed to influence the extent of physical and chemical clogging. Any attempt to design an anti-clogging emitter may necessarily include optimization of active outlets.