Integrated solar power system for greenhouses irrigation using treated surface mixed water, Delta, Egypt

Okasha, El Sayed; El Awady, M. Hamdy; El Ghetany, Hamdy

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2020.36073.2747

Integrated solar power system for greenhouses irrigation using treated surface mixed water, Delta, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Water Relation and Field Irrigation Dept., National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

² Water pollution research department, environmental research division, National Research Centre

³ Solar Dept, NRC

10.21608/ejchem.2020.36073.2747

Abstract

The present work is representing an integrated solar power system for greenhouses irrigation system using treated surface mixed water, with 75% fresh water and 25% drainage irrigation water in North Delta, Egypt. The agricultural lands in the studied areas are divided into small agricultural blocks each unit is 5 Feddans. The current study includes a full assessment of the current water quality of the source from El-Sheikha canal facing the land area that considers the main irrigation source. A suitable water treatment plant was designed with a complete treatability study has been setup to irrigate the studied area. Based on the results of the chosen parameters of raw water analysis; a complete irrigation system to cover the water demand for irrigating of 46 greenhouses in the selected area in 5 Feddans has been designed. A convenient design for 46 greenhouses with standard dimensions of 8.0 m (W) x 40.0 m (L) x 4.10 m (H) using multi span is optimized that lead to increase the overall production income of similar areas. The total dynamic head including suction, delivery and friction heads is estimated. Consequently, the irrigation pump power is designed and a solar water pumping system for the selected irrigation systems was designed including the photovoltaic modules’ area, number and power. Finally, it is found that the integrated system for the current model is representing the ideal scenario for this type of farm and location. It can be considered as a pilot guide for small farmers and young graduates whom are interesting in agricultural projects in Egypt to optimize the benefits from soil and water units, and to improve quality and maximize the yield products in national and international markets.

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