Impact of hydrodynamics on clay particle deposition and biofilm development in a labyrinth-channel dripper

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]GEUSI [ADD1_IRSTEA]Gestion intégrée de la ressource et des infrastructures [ADD2_IRSTEA]Équiper l'agricultureInternational audienceTo better understand the physical and biological clogging in drip-irrigation, a study was conducted on the impacts of hydrodynamic conditions on clay particle deposition and biofilm development in drippers using an optical method. A transparent milli-fluidic system composed of labyrinth channels was used to identify areas most susceptible to particle clogging using two different types of clay suspensions: sodium bentonite and kaolin. The impact of salt addition [(NaCl) = 200 mg