Above-ground irrigation pipe mainly refers to the pipe system used for agricultural ground irrigation. Common materials include polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) and polypropylene (PP-R). Irrigation pipe, also known as ground irrigation pipe, is mainly used to guide water to farmland for scientific irrigation. The following mainly introduces the material selection of above-ground irrigation pipe and the difference and layout of buried irrigation pipe.
Layout of irrigation pipe
The layout of irrigation pipe can be buried underground or on the ground, depending on many factors, including the choice of irrigation technology, terrain conditions, soil characteristics and economic costs. For example, the capillary tube of drip irrigation technology can be placed on the ground or buried underground. Drip irrigation is a method of irrigation that uses drippers installed on capillary tubes to drip pressurized water evenly into plants in the form of water drops or fine streams to moisten the soil. The position of the capillary tube can be flexibly adjusted according to actual conditions, but it should be noted that the drip port is easy to clog and has high requirements for water quality.
In some cases, such as using PVC pipes as the main pipeline, trenches are generally dug and buried underground, which does not affect ground farming. This layout is suitable for situations that require long-term stable use and can prevent the pipes on the ground from being damaged or interfering with farming.
However, for some special cases, such as plots far away from the well, the irrigation pipes need to be laid for hundreds of meters or even thousands of meters. Laying the pipes on the ground can be seen as a technical option. In this case, burying the pipes underground is more expensive, which may also be one of the reasons for choosing to lay the pipes on the ground.
Differences between buried and ground irrigation pipes
1. Installation and maintenance: Buried irrigation pipes usually refer to pipes buried underground, which can save ground space and keep the ground clean. However, once a leak occurs, it is relatively difficult to repair, and the ground needs to be damaged to find the leak and repair it, so the waterproofing treatment is required to be high.
Above-ground irrigation pipe can be installed directly on the ground, which is convenient for installation and maintenance. If a leak occurs, it can be quickly located and repaired, reducing the need to damage the ground.
2. Service life: Buried irrigation pipes are underground and affected by the soil environment. Their service life may be affected by factors such as soil corrosiveness and temperature changes. Therefore, it is very important to choose materials suitable for underground environments.
Above-ground irrigation pipes are usually exposed on the ground, so their design and materials need to take into account weather resistance, durability, and resistance to chemical erosion.
3. Applicable scenarios: Buried irrigation pipes are suitable for places with high aesthetic requirements or where the ground needs to be kept clean, such as home courtyards, parks, etc.
Irrigation pipes for ground use are suitable for places that require frequent inspection and maintenance, such as large farmlands and orchards, which are convenient for daily inspection and maintenance.
Above-ground irrigation pipe materials
Although above-ground irrigation pipes are made of PVC, PE, and PP, it is recommended to choose a Poly irrigation pipe for irrigation pipes used on the ground. Polyethylene (PE) pipes are known for their excellent “toughness” and “flexibility”. They are not easy to break. Even if a car runs over them, they can recover to their original state. They can adapt to various complex terrains and save the use of accessories such as elbows and joints. The advantages of PE pipes are their excellent flexibility, impact resistance, and low-temperature resistance, which are particularly suitable for irrigation systems that need to be moved frequently.
