Effect of Suction Heads and Nutrient Solutions on Flow-Rates of Peristaltic Pumps Used in Hydroponics

Authors : Cafer Gençoğlan, Serpil Gençoğlan

Pages : 771-782

Doi:10.33462/jotaf.1374022

View : 35 | Download : 37

Publication Date : 2024-05-27

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :To ensure the healthy growth of plants in hydroponics, it is crucial to determine the amount of nutrient solution that peristaltic pumps inject per unit time under various hydraulic conditions. The aim of this study is to test the effect of peristaltic pumps, suction heads and nutrient solutions on the flow-rate of the peristaltic pump. The tests of the flow-rate were conducted as aging and main test. Treatments consisted of 3 pumps (PP1, PP2 and PP3), 2 suction heads (30 (SH30) and 60 cm (SH60)) and 5 solutions (tap water (S1), stock A (S2), stock B (S3), nitric acid (HNO3) (S4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) (S5)). In both tests, the volume of liquid pumped by the pumps for 2 minutes was determined and the volume-time relationship was utilized to calculate flow-rates. Aging tests showed that the new peristaltic pumps should be used in nutrition dosing after aging number was equal and greater than 5. All treatments had significant effect (p<0.01) on flow-rates. The mean flow-rates of pumps (PP1, PP2 and PP3) were found to be 102.0, 103.4 and 103.7 mL min-1, respectively. The flow-rates of PP2 and PP3 are 1.36% and 1.67% greater than that’s of PP1, and they could vary according to the pumps. Average flow rates for SH30 and SH60 were found as 103.6 and 102.5 mL min-1, and flow rate decreased by 1.1% when the suction head increased from 30 to 60cm. The highest average flow-rate was obtained in tap water (S1=104.7 mL min-1), while the lowest average flow rate (S5=101.2 mL min-1) was found for Stock B. Flow rates of the S1, S2, S4 and S5 compared with the lowest flow-rate of solution (S3=101.2 mL min-1) were found to be higher as 3.51%, 1.78%, 1.1% and 2.66%, respectively. The highest flow-rates changed between S1-S3, and the lowest ones between S4-S5. As the specific weights of the solutions decreased, the flow-rates of the pumps increased. The pumps should be used after their flow-rates are determined according to suction head, peristaltic pumps and solutions.
Keywords : Kalibrasyon, Topraksız tarım, Çözelti, Eskitme, Özgül ağırlık