DRIP UNITS OPERATING WITH DILUTE LANDFILL LEACHATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Drip irrigation systems stand out for the use of wastewater, by minimizing water losses and risks to the environment and public health, however, the clogging of emitters is a potential problem in this technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the flow coefficient of variation (FCV) and the coefficient of statistical uniformity (CSU) of drip irrigation units operating with water-diluted landfill leachate. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized split-plot design, with emitter types in the plots (G1 - non-pressure compensating, and G2, G3 and G4 - pressure compensating) and evaluation times in the subplots (0, 20, 40, 60 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 hours), with four replications. The FCV, CSU and physicochemical and biological characteristic values of the dilute landfill leachate were determined every 20 hours to complete 160 hours of operation of the drip units. The biofouling caused major value changes in the FCV and the CSU of the drip unit with the G1 emitter (non-pressure compensating) compared to the units with the G2, G3 and G4 emitters (pressure compensating). The G3 emitter was the most adequate for applying the dilute landfill leachate.