The sand media filter is a crucial component of micro-irrigation filtration systems. Investigating the effects of various factors on filtration performance and the migration patterns of sediment particles within the filter can enhance the healthy operation of sand media filters. This study, based on a sand media filter model, conducts indoor hydraulic experiments, selecting different experimental factors and observation indices for research under varying conditions. Results indicate that filter thickness and raw water concentration are positively correlated with the turbidity of filtered water samples, while changes in filtration rate have no obvious impact on turbidity. When filter thickness is large, particle content differs obviously from other filter thicknesses, and the effect of raw water concentration changes on particle content is similar to that of filter thickness changes. Sediment particle size distribution within the filter layer is primarily concentrated in the upper region. By focusing on the area situated 20 cm below the filter layer surface, the sediment retention rate reached 80% or higher at a depth of 20 cm below the filter layer surface. As the depth of the filter layer increases, the sediment retention characteristics show a decreasing trend for larger particle sizes and an increasing trend for smaller particle sizes. Head loss is positively correlated with filtration rate, raw water concentrations, and filter thickness changes. It is suggested that, when meeting micro-irrigation water quality requirements, the filter material particle size can be appropriately increased to improve filtration efficiency and reduce energy consumption. These research findings are highly significant for sand media filter material selection and working condition design.

As irrigation districts rapidly advance in terms of informatization, research on intelligent water quantity control technologies for open channels has gained increasing importance. This study aims to investigate the flow capacity and hydraulic characteristics of gates in open channels, focusing on the flow measurement and the hydraulic behavior around water-measuring structures. Although automated control in irrigation systems has achieved significant development, research on the flow characteristics near gates remains limited. To address this gap, an integrated approach combining indoor physical model experiments with theoretical analysis was used. This study explored the water surface profile, cross-sectional flow velocity distribution, vertical velocity distribution, and turbulent kinetic energy under various gate opening conditions and flow rates. The findings reveal that the water surface exhibits a sharp rise upstream of the gate, followed by a steep decline and stabilization downstream, influenced by the gate’s water-blocking effect. The flow velocities near the gate opening differ significantly in direction and magnitude from those in other cross-sections, affecting both longitudinal and vertical velocities. The turbulent kinetic energy is concentrated near the gate opening, and the turbulent kinetic energy is primarily concentrated near the sidewalls and the channel bottom; the gate’s opening size plays a crucial role in its diffusion and distribution. Linear regression analysis was utilized to fit the gate flow coefficient formula, and a comparative analysis of the measurement accuracy was conducted. The relative error between the calculated flow values and the actual measured values is within ±5%, which meets the precision requirements specified in the water measurement standards for irrigation canal systems in the irrigation district. This study pioneers an integrated approach for investigating the hydraulic characteristics of gates in open channels, merging physical model experiments with theoretical analysis. It provides novel insights into how gate openings affect water surface profiles, flow velocity distributions, and turbulent kinetic energy. This research also underscores the role of gate discharge in turbulent kinetic energy distribution, offering technical insights to enhance flow measurement accuracy and prevent sediment deposition, thereby optimizing gate applications for efficient water management. Overall, this study significantly advances the understanding of open channel flow dynamics and holds substantial significance for the refinement of water quantity control techniques in irrigation districts.

To enhance the efficiency of irrigation water utilisation, China is progressively converting irrigation ditches into pipelines. The water distribution outlets in irrigation zones are predominantly right-angled, and there are typically occurrences of erosion, sedimentation, and structural deterioration in the surrounding areas. This article employs a synthesis of indoor physical model experiments and theoretical analysis to examine the distribution of channel flow velocity and variations in water surface profile, pipeline flow rate, diversion ratio, circulation intensity, and turbulence energy across different relative water depths. The experimental results indicate that the water surface adjacent to the main canal wall demonstrates a pattern of initial decline, followed by an increase and subsequently another decline; furthermore, as the water level in the main channel rises, the magnitude of this fluctuation progressively diminishes. In some sections of the canal, the water surface elevation progressively increases, albeit with minimal amplitude. With a constant relative water depth, an increase in main channel flow results in a corresponding increase in pipeline flow; however, the diversion ratio is inversely related to the main channel flow. Conversely, when the main channel flow rate is constant, the diversion ratio increases as relative water depth rises. The vertical flow velocity near the water diversion outlet has a negative value, signifying the existence of a backflow zone, while the horizontal flow velocity varies considerably, facilitating the formation of circulation and resulting in localised deposition and erosion. The water flow near the pipe inlet downstream of the lower lip of 0.5 times the pipe diameter is impacted by the return zone, which has a higher turbulence energy and circulation strength and is more susceptible to siltation. The turbulence energy of the water flow is higher in the range of 0.5 times the pipe diameter upstream and downstream of the pipe inlet. This research is highly significant in facilitating the conversion of irrigation channels into pipelines.

Modern irrigation areas often use a combination of channels and pipes for irrigation. Due to changes in terrain, inflow, and pipe diameter, pipelines are often prone to experiencing a state of no pressure. This lack of pressure affects not only the velocity distribution and water surface profile of the main channel but also the velocity distribution and flow distribution of the pipeline. Therefore, in this study, we employed a combination of physical model experiments and theoretical analysis to study the influence of non-pressure pipelines on the hydraulic characteristics of channel–pipe combined irrigation systems filled to different degrees. Through this, the variation laws of the flow velocity distribution, turbulence intensity, water surface, diversion width, and diversion ratio under different filling degrees were obtained. The non-pressure pipeline flow velocity expression was obtained through dimensional analysis, and the calculation formula for the non-pressure pipeline flow velocity coefficient was fitted using linear regression analysis. The relative error between the calculated value and the measured value did not exceed 8.81%. The research results presented in this article can provide technical support for the design and maintenance of channel–pipe combined irrigation systems.

The plate flowmeter offers a novel method for water flow measurement in small channels. Characterized by its simple construction, absence of siltation, and consistent relationship between the deflection angle and flow rate, this device possesses significant potential. Our study, employing rigorous experimental techniques, validated that the gate-hole outflow calculation model is effectively applicable to this plate flowmeter. Additionally, our research investigated the device’s impact on flow velocity distribution. Our findings reveal that the plate flowmeter can be effectively combined with the sluice gate outflow model. It has been verified that the maximum relative error is 14.57%, the minimum relative error is 0.35%, and most relative errors are below 10%. Both water level and flow rate contribute to the flat plate device’s relative head loss, with water level exerting a more significant effect. At various points along the channel, the plate flowmeter affects flow velocity distribution differently. Upstream, the device minimally impacts vertical flow velocity distribution, resulting in steady velocity changes. Conversely, downstream, the flat plate flow meter significantly alters flow velocity distribution, prompting redistribution that persists until 1.26 m downstream, where device influence ceases. These insights offer a solid theoretical foundation for enhancing the structural design of the plate flowmeter, thus improving its overall performance and efficacy.

Flow dynamics were characterized and stable zones in diversions were quantified using physical modeling, in situ experiments, and 3D numerical simulations. ADV (1 cm spatial resolution) and water-level probes (0.01 cm spatial resolution) were used in the physical experiments in a rectangular channel. ADCP (resolution of 50 cm) was employed for in situ validation at a northern China hub. Numerical simulations using ANSYS 2022R2 Fluent software with RNG k-ε and VOF showed little error (<15%) compared to the experiments. The results quantified the diversion zone into four sub-regions: acceleration (length 0.8–1.2 h); stabilization (1.2–3.5 h); diffusion deceleration (3.5–5.0 h); and stagnation (localized eddies, diameter 0.3–0.8 d). The stable zone length was dominantly controlled by the nonlinear coupling of geometric (B_s/B_m, 42%) and hydraulic (Fr, 28%) parameters. Upstream and downstream stable zone empirical models showed high accuracy (R² = 0.83 and 0.76, p < 0.01), with an average relative error <15%. Based on the proposed zoning principles and flow characteristics, measurement facilities in the irrigation area are presented. These tools enhance irrigation diversion design and management for improved water efficiency.