Fertigation is an efficient technique that combines irrigation and fertilization, but its installation and maintenance require appropriate accessories to optimize performance and reduce the risk of failures. In this article, we present the essential accessories that ensure a safe and efficient installation.
Filter: Essential protection for the dosing system
The filter is crucial to prevent damage to key components such as collars, pistons, and valves. The presence of solids (precipitates) in the system accelerates wear, reduces precision, and can cause breakdowns.
Recommended features:
- Mesh: Minimum of 120 Mesh for effective solid retention.
- Materials: Polypropylene body with stainless steel or polyester mesh, or a ring filter made of plastic.
- Location: Between the tank and the dosing pump.
- Installation: Control valves before and after the filter to facilitate cleaning and testing without spills.
Filter Sizing:
- Flow up to 400 L/H: 戮” filter.
- Flow up to 1200 L/H: 1 录” filter.
Proper maintenance extends the filter’s lifespan and prevents blockages that can affect the system鈥檚 flow.
Injection Valve: Prevents backflow and improves efficiency
The injection valve is a check component that prevents fluid backflow or irrigation water from entering the dosing circuit.
Types of injection valves:
- Diffuser: Prevents corrosion by dispersing the product in the highest velocity zone, ensuring quick dissolution and accurate CE and pH probe readings.
- Spring-loaded: Prevents accidental discharge from the tank and replaces the anti-siphon valve, avoiding splashes or air intake. It is recommended to periodically check the spring’s condition (stainless steel AISI316) to avoid leaks.
Anti-siphon Valve: Prevents accidental discharges
This valve is installed at a point above the maximum product level in the tank. Its function is to prevent accidental discharge of the product into the irrigation network when the dosing pump is not operational.
Anti-siphon valve benefits:
- Prevents pressure loss.
- Ensures safety in low-pressure installations (< 1 bar).
In saline solutions such as fertilizers, air intake can cause crystallization, affecting the valve’s tightness. For greater security, it is recommended to combine it with a spring-loaded check valve.
Purge or priming valve: Facilitates system startup
The purge valve is placed on top of the pump cylinder and allows the dosing pump to work without back pressure, speeding up its priming process.
Purge valve benefits:
- Useful for systems with spring-loaded check valves or long suction pipes.
- Allows manual purging until the liquid flows correctly into the drain.
Relief Valve: Safety against pressure overloads
This valve is installed in the discharge line to prevent overpressure that could damage valves, pipes, or even the dosing pump.
Relief valve operation:
- Automatically activates when the pressure exceeds the set limit.
- Redirects excess product back to the original tank, avoiding severe system damage.
Selecting the right accessories for your fertigation system ensures optimal performance and extends the installation’s lifespan. Make sure to perform periodic maintenance and use quality components suited to working conditions and the chemical characteristics of the products used. By following these recommendations, you鈥檒l reduce risks and maximize your system鈥檚 efficiency.
