
When you see in the specification “full bore ball valve DN100 with internal thread”, it seems - what could be simpler? But in field conditions, it is precisely such nodes that become a headache. Especially when it comes to irrigation systems with water hoses - here the slightest mistake in the selection of fittings results in leaks on hectares.
Many customers are still confident that reinforced polypropylene is a universal solution for any conditions. Working withShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,LtdWhile working on a project for smart greenhouses in the Krasnodar region, we stepped on this rake: standard PP taps caused microcracks after a season due to the vibration of the pumps. I had to reconsider the approach to reinforcement.
Fiberglass in polypropylene is a double-edged sword. Yes, the linear expansion is less, but with constant water hammer (and in drip irrigation systems they are inevitable), the layered structure begins to delaminate. For DN100 this is critical - the pressure on the walls is distributed unevenly. Now we recommend cast housings for critical areas, although this increases the cost of the project by 15-20%.
I noticed an interesting point: some manufacturers save on the wall thickness in the thread area, especially on straight-through valves. It seems that according to the passport it is DN100, but the actual pressure loss reaches 0.2 atm. When designing systems forintelligent water and fertilizer integration equipmentthis has to be factored into the calculations additionally.
Female inlet and outlet threads are standard for connecting water hoses, but there is a nuance here that is often overlooked. Threads in accordance with GOST 6357-81 and DIN 2999 differ in profile angle, and leaks are possible when connecting to imported fittings. Last year, at a facility in the Rostov region, 40 taps had to be urgently replaced due to incompatibility with Italian fittings.
Now I always check with suppliers about the type of threading. By the way,Shandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdthe catalogs clearly indicate compliance with standards - this saves time when selecting components for projectshigh quality agricultural fields.
Another point is the cutting depth. For DN100, the minimum depth must be at least 18 mm, otherwise, due to thermal deformations, the first thread of the thread cannot withstand the load. I checked it on a test bench - at 14 mm depth, after 500 open-close cycles, play appeared.
The transition from the tap to the flexible hose is the most vulnerable point of the system. Conventional rubber seals quickly wear out from fertilizers in the irrigation system. In projectssmart agricultural parksswitched to EPDM gaskets, although they are 30% more expensive.
The nominal diameter DN100 is not the actual diameter; many people forget this simple truth. The actual passage is often 96-98 mm, which creates additional resistance. For systems withremote valve controlthis is critical - pressure sensors begin to respond with errors.
Interesting observation: when usingwater filtration equipmentin front of the valves, the wear of the ball mechanism is significantly reduced. I noticed this when comparing operation at two identical facilities - where fine filters were installed, the taps worked 2 seasons longer.
When tightening DN100 threaded connections, do not use a torque wrench - uneven pressure will deform the body. Experienced installers do this by feel, but for beginners we have developed a simple technique: tighten it all the way, then release it a quarter turn.
Thermal expansion is the bane of plastic systems. During installationfull bore ball valvesin conditions of daily temperature changes, be sure to leave a compensation gap of 3-5 mm. We learned this after an accident in a greenhouse complex near Voronezh, when three connection points burst at night at -15°C.
For systems withfrequency automatic equipmentIt is important to consider the location of the valve relative to the pump. If it is located after the pump, an additional support bracket is needed, otherwise vibration will loosen the threaded connection within six months.
Last year, during the implementation of the projecthydraulic structuresin the Stavropol Territory we encountered an interesting problem: standard DN100 taps did not fit the connecting dimensions to imported controllers. I had tohttps://www.lyzhihuinongye.ruorder a custom version with the transition to metric threads.
When designingvarious agricultural projectsNow we always provide a 20% margin for crane capacity. Practice has shown that the nominal DN100 in real conditions often does not provide the required flow rate when several irrigation lines are turned on simultaneously.
We are currently testing taps with an additional antistatic coating - in systems that use liquid fertilizers, a static charge accumulates on the plastic, which interferes with the operation of the sensorsintelligent water and fertilizer integration equipment. The first results are encouraging, but we will sum up the results after the end of the season.
In general, the selection of fittings for irrigation systems is always a compromise between cost, reliability and maintainability. Andfull bore ball valveshere is not an exception, but rather one of the key elements, the correct choice of which determines the uninterrupted operation of the entire system.