Month: April 2016

When selecting a pump for your agricultural, industrial, or residential irrigation needs the details matter. Today, it is more important than ever to focus on an energy efficient solution to your pumping needs. There are solutions available to fit just about any application. So before you head out to buy a new pump take these tips into consideration.

#1: Get the fitting just right

A common mistake when it comes to pump installation is choosing one that will “probably do the job.” Instead, invest the time to ensure you have a pump that fits your specific application. It sounds simplistic, but choosing a pump that is properly selected and sized for your application, will help to naturally reduce the amount of energy required to operate it.

#2: Consider other system components

The pump might be the heart of the system, but other components in the piping system have an effect on the pump size and operation. Improperly sized components such as piping, control valves, and suction strainers can create high friction loss values that require a larger pump. Of course a larger pump means higher energy costs. Having properly sized system components can mean big savings over the life of the system.

#3: Compare features

One common misconception is that all pumps are created equal. Many customers mistakenly assume that one 5 horsepower pump is as good as any other 5 horsepower pump. Not true. There can be a wide range of pumping efficiencies between pump models and manufacturers. The type of pump you select can also have an impact on the pumping efficiencies.

#4: Don’t over buy

Bigger is not always better. A pump that is properly sized for your application is always best. However, if you know your system will be expanding in the near future this can be taken into account in the initial sizing process. Control accessories such as a variable frequency drive (VFD) can be used to run the pump at a more efficient operating point on the pump curve. VFD’s are also useful at controlling energy costs when the system has a wide range of flow and pressure requirements.

The good news is you don’t have to go it alone. With the help of the team at W. P. Law, Inc. you can find an energy efficient pump designed just for your application. Let us help you today.

Human society as we know it could not exist without irrigated land. For more than 2,000 years farmers have used irrigation to grow food for hungry populations. This does not mean that all irrigation methods are equally useful, however. Knowing which approach will work best in your situation requires knowing something about the options available, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. With that in mind, here is a look at five things to consider in getting water to your crops:

1. Soil type. The type of soil in an area can affect not only the type irrigation method used but also the irrigation run times. Sandy soils typically require frequent applications of water at a high rate to keep moisture in the root zone. Tighter clay soils can hold moisture longer that sandy soils, but may require frequent applications at a lower rate to prevent runoff.
2. Land topography. In particular, hilly or sloping land can be a challenge. Drip irrigation works well if the laterals can be run along topographic lines. System run times may need to be adjusted to prevent runoff. Travelers and center pivot systems are usually out of the question on hilly and severely sloping land.
3. Local weather patterns. For example, sprinklers are less desirable in areas where high winds are common and in arid areas with a low humidity since water losses due to evaporation can be extremely high. Drip irrigation works well in both of these situations.
4. Type of crops grown. Sprinkler and drip systems can require high levels of investment. For this reason, it’s better to reserve their use for high-value crops like vegetables, small fruits and orchard crops rather than applying them to commodity crops like wheat and soybeans.
5. Water quality. All drip irrigation systems require some type of filtration. Overhead systems such as sprinklers seldom require filtration. Irrigation water should be tested for water borne pathogens. Depending on the crop grown and irrigation method used chlorine injection may be required. Other water quality issues that may be of a concern include levels of soluble iron and other dissolved minerals.

We hope this article has given you some useful insights into selecting the right irrigation method for your operation. Contact us today to find out more.