Establishment of prediction models of trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency of pre-pump micro-pressure filter

Abstract

The filter before a pump is a key piece of equipment of a micro-irrigation system, which can ensure safe and stable operation. This paper examines a pre-pump micro-pressure filter, using the trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency as the assessment indicators. Orthogonal experiments of the physical model of the inlet flow, sediment content, water separator type, and filter area were conducted. The experimental results were processed by analysis of variance, dimensional analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The influences of the factors affecting the trapped sediment mass in descending order were the sediment content, filter area, water separator type, and inlet flow. The influences of the factors affecting the total filtration efficiency in descending order were the filter area, sediment content, water separator type, and inlet flow. While the water separator type significantly affected the trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency, the difference between the different treatments was insignificant. The prediction model for the trapped sediment mass (total filtration efficiency) was established with an R2 of 0.998 (0.889). Since the relative errors between the predicted and measured values were less than 6%, these models could produce accurate predictions. These results provide technical support for the structural optimization and filtration mechanism of the filter and advance the theory of micro-pressure filtration.