IEPI

ARevolution in Drip Irrigation

  IEPI (Independent Enhanced ProtectionIrrigation) is the first technology in the world, that uses an independentlayer of filtering film that is added to each emitter, to protect stable labyrinthchannel operation. Decentralisedfiltration greatly enhances the performance of IEPI when compared withconventional drip irrigation.

  IEPI is anoriginal technological innovation for subsurface irrigation that has been grantedpatents in more than 60 countries including the USA.

  IEPI canbe used in many places that are not suitable for conventional drip irrigation. Itssmall flow rate emitters are more stable under subsurface operationalconditions so that various fertilizers can be used with confidence.

  IEPI requiresless maintenance. Due to its stability, labor, water and fertilizer input costscan be significantly reduced versus other irrigation systems, while the yieldand quality of agricultural produce increase.

Advantagesof IEPI:

-Theonly emitter can be buried facing               downward, water doesn’t pool,avoids root intrusion;

-Smallflow rate of 900 ml/h under 1 bar (open to develop more options with partnersaccording to needs);

-Systemwill not break down even if the pipelines are broken and silts enter intopipes;

-Lateralscan be extended for longer distance;

-Higherflow uniformity

-Noevaporation or percolation loss;

-Lessweeding and labor;

-Saveson water and fertilizer usage (50% less water and 30% less fertilizer vs. microirrigation)

-Lessdiseases and fungicide;

-Increasein crop quality and flavor;

-Multipleapplication solutions (Agriculture, Desertification, Landscaping, Verticalgreening)

Problemswith current subsurface drip irrigation (SDI)

The advantages of SDIare well known, but with its limitations, such as complicated and costlymaintenance and huge loss caused by clogging, the improvement of SDI is greatlyrestricted. Anti-clogging is the core of subsurface irrigation. To enhance itsanti-clogging capacity, SDI: 1) Flow rate is generally high, which increasesthe cost of pipelines and control, and causes subsurface soil erosion. 2) Theemitters are installed facing up. Muddy water pooling on top of the emitterseasily attracts roots, causing root intrusion. At the same time, silts tend toenter the emitters and cause clogging. 3) To keep the pipelines absolutelysafe, strict maintenance and professional skills are required, making conventionalSDI extremely costly and difficult for long-term operation. IEPI solves theseproblems perfectly.

Anti-cloggingPrinciple：

The flux of lowerwater permeable material is less than 1% of the flux of upper water permeablematerial. The pressure in the cavity between the layers cannot be unloadedbecause the restriction of flow in the lower material. Pressure difference on eitherside of the upper water permeable material is very small, so the flow of water throughupper water permeable material is so slow that impurities cannot wedge into thefiltration film. Instead, impurities stay loosely on the film surface and canbe easily flushed away by lateral flow, thus protecting the film from clogging.In this way, this double-layer-structure, which protects each other, createsstable and independently operating emitter, making IEPI operate as a higherlevel micro irrigation under wider environment.

Schematicdiagram of anti-clogging principle of IEPI irrigation

IEPIApplication Cases:

IEPIwas successfully applied to lawns and landscaping including trees, shrubs, andturf. Water saving of up to 70% occurs compared with spray irrigation. Thesurface soil is constantly dry, and lawn color is uniformly green with novisible lines, which make it more comfortable to play on.Grassgrows well but also results in less mowing and reduced manual work. IEPI hasbeen successfully applied in Fuxingmen Bridge (Center Beijing, near the ForbiddenCity).

Other applications:orchards, vegetables and desertification control.