Field solution to produce irrigation-drinking water by condensation irrigation system from seawater

Abstract

Condensation irrigation (CI) combines desalination with subsurface irrigation. Here, solar stills are used to heat and humidity air, which is condensed in underground drainage pipes to irrigate the soil, directly in the root zone. This article describes and evaluates a CI field test at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in Iran. The objective was to gain a deeper understanding of the CI system in the production of drinking and irrigation water and to do a detailed assessment of heat and moisture transfer in the soil. Perforated and unperforated PVC pipes were used in two separate experiments while airflow properties, soil temperature and humidity, and ambient air temperature were monitored. The system produced 6 kg of irrigation water during 8 hours in the 25 m long pipe. When using an unperforated pipe, 4 kg of freshwater was collected at the pipe ending after 8 hours of operation. The preliminary economic analysis of irrigation system indicates a payback time of less than six years.