Agriculture is one of the most important industries in the world. We rely on it to provide enough food to sustain people all around the globe. Effectively watering crops is a vital part of the process. To do this, many farmers rely on irrigation systems. A number of them can feature metal tubing. As one of the top providers of ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands, we want to have a closer look at them.
Surface
The most basic form is surface irrigation. Here farmers distribute water along the ground with help from gravity. They can use different systems. Some will have simple trenches in the earth. Others will use pipes to carry the water.
Localised
A second option is to have a network of pipes that can deliver water to specific locations. The idea here is it ensures the fluid will get to each plant, providing accurate watering.
Drip
This is a variation of the localised method. It differs because it delivers drops of water directly to the roots of plants. It provides even more control and also minimise water loss from run-off.
Sprinkler
Another option is to establish a network of overhead pipes with sprinklers. This can simulate rain, allowing water to fall freely onto crops.
Centre pivot
This is an interesting irrigation method. It uses sprinklers, but there isn’t a network of them. Instead what you have is towers that move on wheels and sprinkle water as they go. It is almost like a mechanical method of manually watering plants with a watering can.
Sub-irrigation
Finally we have a technique where you apply water to the ground rather than the plants. What this does is raise the water table in the area. In turn that means there will be enough moisture in the root zone.
Using ERW tubes
Many of these systems require tubing to transport the water. As the top provider of ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands we understand they need to be able to handle the operating conditions. That is vital to avoid issues like leaks.
One crucial thing to look at here is the pressure. Some systems such as localised and drip have low pressures. As a result, you can be more flexible in your choice of tubing. However, others such as sprinkler and centre pivot need more pressure to transport the fluid and deliver it to plants. Therefore, the tubing must be able to withstand it.
Steel can be a really good option thanks to its strength and durability. It is also easy to adapt so creating bespoke irrigation networks is less challenging. But, you must think about corrosion. You will likely need to choose steel with a higher resistance or opt for finishing like chrome plating to prevent fluid from touching the metal.
Do you want to order ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands?
The great thing about having so many options for irrigation is farmers can choose the right one for them. They can account for the operating conditions and location. The latter is crucial because it has an impact on climate, the height of the water table, and run-off.
If you decide steel tubing is the best option for you, we have the finest ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands. There are lots of options, including round, oval, and square in various sizes. We even provide galvanisation and other finishes. So, contact us if you want to learn more.
