GRUNDFOS WATER SERVICES

Irrigation handbook

Index

Introduction
4
1. Irrigation methods
6
1.1 Flooding 7
1.2 Sprinkling 8
1.2.1 Fixed sprinklers 8
1.2.2 Travelling irrigators 9
1.2.2.1 Hose reel irrigator 9
1.2.2.2 Centre pivot irrigator 9
1.2.2.3 Parallel irrigators 10
2. Availability of water
12
2.1 Ground water 13
2.1.1 Supply limitations 13
2.1.2 Ground water troubleshooting 15
2.1.3 Pump wear 16
2.1.4 Clogging 18
2.1.5 Overpumping 19
2.2 Surface water 20
2.2.1 Intake structure design 20
2.2.1.1 Settling canal 21
2.2.2 Overcoming dry seasons and droughts 22
2.2.2.1 Riverbank injection 22
2.2.2.2 Lowering of water level by others (public water supply) 22
2.2.3 Destruction of equipment from flooding 23
2.2.4 Theft risk (drawing from public areas) 23
2.3 Rain & water NEWater 24
2.3.1 Rain water harvesting 24
2.3.1.1 Source capacity 24
2.3.2 NEWater or water recycling 25
2.3.3 Upgrading low source quality comparison 25
2.4 Storage of water 26
2.4.1 Open-air basin 26
2.4.2 Water tank or underground cavern 27
2.4.3 Parallel operating boosters 27
INDEX

3. Crops and water 28

3.1 Annual amount of rainfall 29
3.1.1 The need for irrigation 30
3.1.2 Gathering data 31
3.2 Crop water needs 32
3.2.1 The climate 33
3.2.2 The crop type 34
3.2.3 Growth stage 35
3.2.4 Effective rainfall 37
3.3 Other applications 38
3.3.1 Dust control 38
3.3.2 Fire prevention 38
3.3.3 Frost protection 38
4. Irrigation water quality 40
4.1 Bag filtering 41
4.2 Carbonising 41
4.3 Direct fertilisation 41
4.4 Ion exchange 42
4.5 pH adjustment 43
5. Drainage 44
6. Pump catalogue 46
6.1 Factors to consider 47
Grundfos products
SP / SP A / SP-G 50
SQ / SQ-N / SQE / SQE-N 52
CR / CRI /CRN 54
HS 56
Hydro 2000 58
NB / NK 60
BM / BMB 62
DME / DMS 64
7. About Grundfos 66

INDEX

Introduction
Nature, it is often said, is truly amazing. With the right combination of
sun, soil, temperature and water, plant life can flourish. Sometimes,
however, nature can use a helping hand.
Adding water through irrigation has been practiced for thousands of
years. Irrigation can enhance both crop quality and quantity and it can
even do so in areas where precipitation already can sustain
agriculture. For recreational activities, irrigation keeps playing
surfaces lush and attractive.

INTRODUCTION

Helping you make more qualified selections

This handbook presents you with some irrigation basics: from system layouts, to our recommendations for which pumps
may be employed in irrigation systems.
It will enable you to make more qualified selections and solutions for your irrigation customers. As always, we recommend
consulting Grundfos WinCAPS, our own PC-based pump sizing and selection tool, prior to making your decisions.
60 years of experience
Grundfos experience with water supply pumps goes all the way back to our earliest years. In fact, a water supply pump
was the very first pump we ever created. Today, our product portfolio features submersible, in-line, and pressure boosting
pumps for all needs.
International presence
Grundfos is where you are, sharing knowledge of local markets in terms of sales, service, and technical support. Our global
operations feature activities in over 40 countries, where remaining in close contact with our customers is one of our most
important goals.

INTRODUCTION

1. Irrigation methods
When a decision about irrigation of an area has been made, there are
also a number of basic considerations to be made. These include:
Which crops have to be grown
How is the climatic conditions
How much water is available
How accessible is the water
Is the growth area flat or hilly
Is the soil clayish or sandy
How many months per year is it necessary to irrigate
How is the irrigation pump selected
The consequences if the irrigation fails for a period of time

IRRIGATION METHODS

These considerations are dealt with in other chapters of this book.

The sum of these considerations will support the decision regarding which irrigation method should be used.
First and most importantly, however, you must get a permit from your local authorities! The permit will typically allow a certain amount of water per year to be
taken from the resource. This amount must not be exceeded. Your local authorities
may use different approaches to monitor the usage, and this may require different
types of equipment: flow meter, water meter, hour meter, and so on.

1.1 Flooding
The simplest form of irrigation is flooding, and it often requires no pumps. The
most common type of flooding is furrow irrigation, where the water is directed or
pumped into a number of furrows, which are then flooded.

Flooding is simple, but not

very efficient

This method requires landscape sloping technique, where the water can flow easily
from one end of the furrow to the other, without spilling over the edges. An equal
amount of water as possible should reach each metre of the furrows.
Flooding irrigation requires a lot of water and the efficiency is not very high, since
most of the flooded water cannot be extracted into the roots of the plants. It is
therefore primarily used in areas where there is plenty of water available. Also, the
area to be flooded must of course be relatively flat. Where that is not the case, the
areas are flattened into terraces, which can be seen in many areas of the world.
Flooding is typically used in tropical areas.

IRRIGATION METHODS

1.2 Sprinkling
Sprinklers are still dominating agricultural and landscape irrigation worldwide.
They are available from lots of different manufacturers, and are used for a variety
of applications.
The most common type of sprinkler is the spray head. Spray heads can be fixed, and
cover only a certain angle of watering, or it can have a rotating element, which allows
it to cover a full circle. Also, the rotating element allows for a bigger variation in drop
sizes, distribution, etc. One of the advantages with spray heads is their ability also to
distribute small amounts of water. They can be adjusted to deliver only a fine mist of
water, however, the wind drift makes their use limited to areas where there is no or
little wind. Greenhouses are a good example for the spray head application.
This is also an application, where large drops of water may damage the crops, or they
will splash dirt on them.
Spray heads feature a radius of approximately 15 m. When they are used in the open
land, they should always be used as close to the ground as possible, in order to minimize wind drift. At best they should be installed just above the ground. When used
properly the efficiency of spray heads can be quite high.
All spray heads require a minimum pressure to function properly. To maintain an efficient use of the water, it is important to control flow and head within certain narrow
limits, and the use of a pump to maintain this makes irrigation much more efficient.
Another widely used sprinkler type is the impact sprinkler. This sprinkler type has a
spring loaded inertia element, which is forced to turn by the water jet. The spring
makes the inertia element return to the original position, and it hammers on the
sprinkler and forces it to turn a certain angle. It can be adjusted to cover almost one
full circle of watering. The throw of this type of sprinkler is typically up to 25 m.
A very large and special type of impact sprinkler is called rain gun, or end gun, and
some of them can distribute more than 100 m3 per hour in a radius up to 70 m.
1.2.1 Fixed sprinklers
These sprinklers are mounted above the ground throughout the season. A certain number
of sprinklers per hectare make sure that every square metre of the ground receives a
minimum amount of water. This approach requires a lot of sprinklers, and the water is not
evenly distributed on the crops.
8

IRRIGATION METHODS

Fixed sprinklers are typically used on slopes and in hilly areas, where travelling irrigators are
restricted. Another typical application for fixed sprinklers is frost protection of crops (see also
chapter 3.3) The pop-up sprinkler is a fixed sprinkler variant. These sprinklers are hidden
below the surface when not in operation, and rise when in use. The water pressure
makes them pop up, following which they function like other sprinklers. This function
makes them perfect for irrigation of recreational grass.
1.2.2 Travelling irrigators
Sprinklers attached to moving equipment are called travelling irrigators. These mobile
units can irrigate a variety of areas.
1.2.2.1 Hose reel irrigator
The most flexible form of a travelling irrigator is the hose reel irrigator that can be
hauled into a field, and from there hooked up to the water supply. The hose reel irrigator
has only one sprinkler. This is typically a rain gun, which therefore covers a large area.
1.2.2.2 Centre pivot irrigator
A very popular travelling irrigator type for large areas is the centre pivot irrigator. This
irrigator rotates around a centre point (pivot) and can have a diameter up to 2 km.
Centre pivot irrigators cannot be transferred to another location unless being totally
dismantled and transported to the new location.
Centre pivot irrigators are available with one arm (a radius in the circle) or with 2 arms
(a diameter in the circle). In order to secure a uniform amount of water per m2, this type
of irrigator is usually equipped with pressure regulators for each sprinkler, which also
vary in size. The longer the distance the sprinkler is located from the centre, the larger
the sprinkler and the higher pressure is necessary.
Centre pivot irrigators are built in segments, each segment being typically around 50 m.
At the end of each segment are the wheels, which carry the structure, and makes the
entire structure move. The irrigators may consist of several segments.
The last segment is sometimes not active, but are being pulled after the last but one.
When the irrigator is approaching a corner, the last segment becomes active, is swinging out, and is irrigating a corner of the land. A large rain gun mounted at the end of the
last segment can further support this function. This functionality makes it possible to
more or less cover a square with a centre pivot irrigator and not only the typical circle.

IRRIGATION METHODS

1.2.2.3 Parallel irrigators

Parallel irrigators are often of the same mechanical construction as the pivot
irrigator, but instead of travelling around a centre, it moves the whole frame
parallel from one end of the field to the other. It can irrigate a full rectangle instead
of a circle or a rounded square, and therefore more efficient to use where the full
corner must be irrigated.
It is also easier to establish the parrallel irrigator at a different location than a pivot
irrigator because it is not dependent on the availability of the special pivot centre.
The disadvantage is that only the centre of the field gets an even amount of water
at regular intervals, while towards both ends of the field, more or less double the
amount of water is given with a short interval in between. The only ways to compensate for that is to control the amount of water irrigated, or/and to control the
speed with which the irrigator moves.

Nozzles / spray heads

0.6 - 5.5

0.1 - 1.2

4 - 30

>1 - 15

Rotating sprinklers

4 - 35

>1 - 30

Drip irrigation, per dripper

IRRIGATION METHODS

Flow (m3/h)

Pop-up sprinklers

Rain guns

10

Radius (m)

30 - 70

30 - 120
0.001 - 0.025

Drip irrigation
This method (also called micro drip irrigation) is increasing in popularity worldwide,
primarily because of its very high water efficiency. By this method no or very little
water is lost through evaporation or runoff.
Since there are no moving parts to transport the water, nor water runoff from the
surface, drip irrigation is ideal on slopes and in hilly areas.
The disadvantages are that it is costly and time consuming to install.
It also requires a very precise control of the water pressure, adding to the expense
of the investment.

IRRIGATION METHODS

11

2. Availability of water
Identifying the characteristics of your water source is vital for the
quality of your irrigation. Different water sources must of course be
managed differently. The performance of the pump relies heavily
on a systematic analysis of the water source, and making the proper
selection of equipment based on this data.

12

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

2.1 Ground water

Ground water provides a significant source of water supplies for irrigation worldwide.
It is possibly the most reliable water source we have. However, it is important to use
ground water wisely. We must ensure future water supplies and protect the fragile
environment in which we live.
Surface water flow is relatively easy to understand, because it is readily observed and
easily measured. Ground water flow is however hidden, making measurements more
complicated.
The most common restrictions concerning ground water supply are:
Supply limitations
Pump wear
Clogging
Overpumping
This section presents some solutions to these problems.
2.1.1 Supply limitations
Overpumping a well will eventually result in dry running, which can cause in serious
damage to the pump. The resulting downtime is expensive, both regarding repair
costs and lost productivity.
To protect the pump system from dry-running, it is extremely important to analyse
how much water the well can supply. From here, you will be able to estimate the
availability in relationship to peak demand.
Before you can perform a reliable well test however, you must:
Install a pump with the correct capacity
Read the drawdown of the water level at different flows
Measure the flow at different throttling positions of the discharge-regulating valve

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

13

Test procedure
1. Start your pump with the valve closed. Register the depth to static water level.
2. Open your regulating valve to approximately of your peak-load demand.
3. Measure the depth from the surface to the dynamic water level.
4. Fill a 1-litre jar with water from a bottom tap of your discharge piping.
5. Seal the jar; label it .
6. Perform the testing at peak demand for another 15 minutes. Re-check the depth
to the dynamic water level.
7. If it has fallen, note by how much.
8. Repeat this procedure for , , and 1/1 (peak load demand).
After approximately one hour, you will have four different relations between flow and
depth to the pumped water level. You will also have four water samples: , , , 1/1.

Checking well capacity is very

important

9. Open the regulating valve completely. Register the capacity from the pump and the
depth to pumped water level.
10. Fill up jar number 5, seal it, and note down the actual capacity on the jar.
11. Leave your installation running. Activate all possible pumping installations within a
1.5 km radius.
12. Upon your return to the test site, note the performance and depth to water level at
same performance.
14. The test is concluded. Stop the pump and store all five samples so that vibrations,
heat, or sunshine will not affect them.

Analysing the test results:

Examine the test data the following day. It is important that you do not touch the jars,
but only look. You need to establish whether there is sand at the bottom of the samples.
1. Examine sample . Is any sand present on the bottom?
Calculate the specific capacity of the well at of peak demand.
2. Examine sample . Is any sand present on the bottom?
Calculate the specific capacity of the well at of peak demand.
3. Perform the same procedure for of peak load demand and for full flow (1/1).
Comparing your calculations of specific pumping capacities will support your
decision to extract the capacity range with the same m3/h per metre drawdown.
14

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

2.1.2 Ground water troubleshooting

Situation

Reason

Remedy

There is sand at the bottom of the

glass at a specific capacity.

You are over-pumping your well.

If sustainable pumping is your

target, never pump harder than
approximately half capacity of the
sand yielding capacity.

The specific capacity falls off, causing

reduced m3/h per metre drawdown.

You have passed the limit of longterm sustainable pump flow.

Reduce the flow.

Pumped water level is lowered during

pumping periods at the same flow.

Your water sources are limited.

Additional storage capacity for peak

demand irrigation supply.

The pumped water level drops when

neighbouring pump stations start up,
while pumping at the same flow.

The pumping stations compete for a

limited amount of water.

Additional storage capacity for peak

demand irrigation supply.

The total efficiency is lower than 50%.

Pump wear or incorrect pump

selection.

Replace pump with one made of

more appropriate material.

Excessive power consumption or

insufficient irrigation capacity.

The pump may be clogged with sand,

silt, or rust, causing flow-restricting
friction.

Flush the piping section by section at

the highest possible flow creating at
least 5-6 m/s velocity.
OR
Insert a sponge to create the
cleaning/rinsing velocity.
Install sand cyclones or bag filters
at your well head to prevent future
clogging.

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

15

2.1.3 Pump wear

An incorrect choice of pump material and the resulting pump wear is a common
problem reducing well capacity. Choosing the correct pumps with vital components
made from bronze or stainless steel from the beginning will secure a reliable,
energy-efficient, and virtually maintenance-free ground water pump solution.
Rust on cast iron pumps is created by iron from the impeller, which oxidises
through contact with the oxygen in the water. When the impeller rotates, the
rapidly flowing water (5-15 m/sec) removes rust from the impeller surface. This
corrosion/erosion process leads to the loss of impeller material. When impeller
material is lost, capacity and efficiency also fall.
Review the following factors prior to choosing your impeller and subsequent pump:
Corrosion can be devastating

Tip: Choose your pump construction according to the criteria below. Please note
that these are only general guidelines.
Ground water temp.

pH value

Less than 10C

Higher than 7

Oxygen in water
No

Irrigation period
Short

Cast iron

Impeller material

Higher than 10C

Lower than 7

Yes

Long

Bronze/composite
or stainless steel

Testing your system:

Insufficient capacity is often caused by periods of inactivity. Therefore, it is important to test the performance of your equipment at takeover of an existing pumping
system and every year before start-up.
When your irrigation machinery is operating, you should calculate the efficiency of
your pumping equipment. Use the following equation:



16

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

(manometric reading at the well head + drawdown) x capacity
Efficiency =


367 x 3 x I x V x cos
Cos = 0.85

Service intervals for submersible pumps

xy| y

4. Drop directly down (90).The aggressive CO2

content has raised material loss to 0.25 mm.
Note the salinity level of the water (point 4).
Draw a horizontal line through this point, and
follow it to the left and read the results.
5. Recommended service intervals for your pump:
After every 6,000 hours of operation (point 5).
6. Loss of efficiency: Approximately 18% (point 6).

~ x x|x

~ zx 

~ zx 


| 

~ zx 




| 

'x|x | 
 } |x

| 

| 

| 


|

}}||x | } x


~x | |
~x | |
 ~x | |


$VNCARCB PCLMT?RGML GL  MD LCU NPGAC

3. Follow the parallel line until you reach the

differentiation line that corresponds to
aggressive CO2 and component material. Note
the conditions in our example (point 3).

1. See point 1 on Curve A. Pump material and

media conditions are as indicated in the legend.
2. Draw a parallel line to the right. Impeller
material loss is around 0.18mm per 1,000 hours
of operation (point 2).

-x{ }|| x|

Water velocity at the component you wish

to test
The conditions related to pump material and
the pumping environment
The presence or absence of solids and
aggressive carbon dioxide.

' z~

A number of things must be determined

beforehand. They include:

1x| |

0x| x|

When should I service my submersible pump?

How much efficiency has been lost since the
last service?
How much will a renovation cost
(approximately)?

}}||x | } x|
x|  x~~||
zxy {{|

0|z x z|
#||

TCP?EC CDDGAGCLAW JMQQ GL QCPTGAC NCPGMB

2CPTGAC GLRCPT?JQ GL  FMSPQ

,|z|{|{ |z| |x } y|y|

1x| zx~ ~ {

Submersible pumps are subject to wear just like

all other pumps. Unfortunately, their placement
underground makes viewing this wear difficult.
The diagram here enables you to calculate the
following:

xz x|
| 

'x|x x
"
)~| z| 
.||x| 
-{ z| ~

| x|

| 

| 

| 

| 

| 

'x|x x
"
)~| z| 
.||x| 
-{ z| ~

'x|x | || 
x{ z x}
x| || || zx|{
 x{ z
}xz| x{ x}
" 
)~| z|  
.||x|  
-{ z| ~

'x|x x
"
)~| z| 
.||x| 

'x|x x
"
)~| z| 
.||x| 

'x|x |
x| || ||
" 
)~| z|  
.||x| 

7. Approximate cost of renovating the pump: 75%

of new pump price (point 7).

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

17

2.1.4 Clogging
Piping that is partially filled with sand, silt, or rust may cause some of the following
problems:
Excessive power consumption
Insufficient water capacity
Pump wear
Employing one or more of the following can prevent clogging;
Sand cyclone or bag filter: These filters prevent sand, silt, and rust from entering
the piping system.
Open resource/pond: Can be used when particle size is too small to be retained
by cyclones and bag filters. Silt falls to the bottom, and irrigation water is re-
moved from the top.
Particles in the raw water can
cause pump wear

Please note: When introducing the open settling resource/pond, the ground
water pump must usually perform only half lift. The distribution pumps from the
reservoir/pond produce the nozzle pressure, overcoming friction loss in the piping.
As the head demand might relate to the velocity at the impeller and bowl, a settling
basin solution reduces the required head from the ground water pump. Furthermore, this solution often extends the service intervals of the ground water pump.

18

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

2.1.5 Overpumping
Sometimes peak demand capacity causes overpumping of the well to the level of
sand intrusion. Damage can be avoided by installing one or more of the following:
Sand separator or Telescope-inserted filter section: This will reduce the quantity
of silt and sand in the water. Retarding the entrance of these
characteristics into the pump will also eliminate the resulting wear and tear.
A 3-second ramp for soft start/stop:
Starting a ground water pump when aquifer volume is full will result in excessive
performance during the first seconds of operation. This high-capacity
kick starting lifts up/releases sand and silt in the aquifer, drawing it into the
pump.

This powerful suction is eliminated by a 3-second ramp soft start/stop.

Special notes:
If a VFD is introduced, remember to adjust the start frequency to 25 Hz
and ramp it up from here. Submersible motors are equipped with water-
lubricated slide bearing systems, which are not lubricated below 25 Hz.

Select pumping equipment with a Sic/Sic mechanical shaft seal on the

motor to protect against sand/silt intrusion to the motor bearing. Install-
ing a cooling sleeve with a cooling flow velocity higher than 1 m/s will
prevent silting up around the motor.

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

19

2.2 Surface water

Surface water includes springs, lakes, and rivers. If the capacity of the surface water
source meets the peak demand, this source is usually just as good as ground water for
irrigation purposes.
Surface water flow is relatively easy to understand because it is readily observed and
easily measured. However, there are certain characteristics of surface water supply
that you have to consider before selecting the pump system.
Connecting your irrigation intake to natural flowing water calls for extra
attention regarding:

There are many types of surface

water available

Intake structure design

Overcoming dry seasons and droughts
Lowering of water level by other users (public water supply)
Destruction of equipment from flooding
Theft risk (drawing from public areas)

2.2.1 Intake structure design

When designing your intake structure, it is important to understand that the surface
water in the rainy/snow-melting season carries large quantities of mud, silt, and suspended materials. Constructing a settling canal ahead of pump suction can prevent
this matter from entering your system and causing detrimental wear.

20

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

2.2.1.1 Settling canal

To allow for particle settling, the canal must be at least six metres long and have
a water level height that brings down the canal flow velocity to max. 0.015 m/s,
when pumping at design flow.
If the length of the calming section of the canal is less than six metres, wind and
wave activity as well as pump size may negate the settling function.

W x H = 0.015 x Q/2826
Q = design flow in m3/h

W = width in metres
H = height in metres
Water from a settling canal can
be used directly

Additional notes:
The width of the canal must allow for mechanical sediment removal. Before
starting your irrigation season, the settling canal must be desilted to ensure
proper operation.
During the summer, heavy marine-life growth such as mussels, larvae, aquatic
plants, etc. can cause problems. Cover the settling canal to prevent sunshine and
daylight from fuelling this organic growth.

Settling ponds have a two-section

construction

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

21

2.2.2 Overcoming dry seasons and droughts

If there is a chance that your surface water source could dry out during the hot
season, your intake canal should be equipped with an ordinary injection well. This
design is called riverbank injection.
2.2.2.1 Riverbank injection
In rainy seasons, when river levels stand high, the river intake structure injects huge
quantities of river water into your aquifers. During dry seasons, when river levels
run low, the submersible pump in the injection well recovers the injected river
water from under the ground.

Riverbank injection uses natural

percolation and wells

22

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

2.2.2.2 Lowering of water level by others (public water supply)

If you share your water source with any other water extractor (such as a municipal
system) during the dry season, you should be aware of this. Solving this problem
can be accomplished in two ways:
Create storage facilities such as a tank, pit, or cavern
Dig your present storage facility deeper

2.2.3 Destruction of equipment from flooding

If the risk of flooding exists, submersible pumps should be installed instead of dry
motor pumps. Well superstructures such as shown in the illustration are not watertight. The pump and motor inside will be destroyed should the flooding reach the
level found several years ago.
2.2.4 Theft risk (drawing from public areas)
If your freestanding equipment is at risk of being stolen, Grundfos recommends a
special construction. Here, locked-down submersible pumps can be a part of the
construction. Very special equipment is required to be able to remove the pump
and accompanying accessories.

Well superstructures must be placed

above the flooding risk level

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

23

2.3 Rain water & NEWater

When neither ground nor surface water is available or able to supply peak irrigation
demands, other sources can be utilised. These include:
Rain water harvesting
Upgrading low source quality (NEWater/recycling)
Import of irrigation water by tank vehicle

Rain water can be harvested and

stored for later use

2.3.1 Rain water harvesting

The harvesting of rain water simply involves the collection of water from surfaces on
which rain falls, and subsequently storing this water for irrigation. Normally, water is
collected from the roofs of buildings and stored in rain water tanks. However, water
can also be collected in dams from rain falling on the ground and producing run-off.
Rain collecting surfaces, also called catchment areas, are:
Roofs
Roads
Paved areas
2.3.1.1 Source capacity
To secure a sufficient rain water supply for irrigation, the size of the catchment area
must be calculated. The following factors must be considered:
Peak demand
Monthly average rainfall for the area
The size of the cisterns or tanks where the collected rain water is stored
Based on the water supply budget, you will then need to match the size of the catchment area and storage tanks with the irrigation demand.

24

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

2.3.2 NEWater or water recycling

NEWater is treated used water that has undergone some purification and treatment process using microfiltration and reverse osmosis. The quality of membrane
technology has improved greatly over the years. It is now possible to even turn seawater into potable water at a power consumption cost of less than 3 kWh/m3. This
low power consumption makes reverse osmosis an acceptable process for irrigation
of high-value crops.
Reverse osmosis membranes have a present lifespan of approximately five years.
This is constantly improving as durability increases. For the latest on R.O. technologies, we recommend contacting:
Affordable Desalination Coalition
Point Hueneme, CA, USA
Tel: +1-650-283-7976
E-mail: [email protected]
2.3.3 Upgrading low source quality comparison
The major cost factor when providing water for irrigation is the power
consumption necessary to treat and deliver the right water volume at
right pressure. For low value crops, irrigation is only feasible if high sourcequality surface water or ground water is available in right quantities.

Purifying water can be a viable option

kWh/m3
3,00
2,75
2,50
2,25
2,00

In recent years, the energy efficiency of membrane technology has

improved to bring the energy consumption below 3 kWh pr. m3 of
irrigation water. This makes it beneficial to upgrade (recycle) low sourcequality wastewater of nearly all kinds, and for high value crops, even
desalination of brackish water and seawater can now be employed.

1,75
1,50
1,25
1,00
0,75
0,50
0,25
0

Rain water
harvesting

Surface
water

Ground
water

Recycle
R.O.

Desalination
R.O.

Energy requirement for various supply and treatment

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

25

2.4 Storage of water

If the water source cannot adequately meet the peak demand for water, a storage
reservoir can be created. Water from here can be pumped during periods of peak
demand.
Installing a reservoir to equalise the difference between water source yield and peak
demand necessitates a calculation of the size of the reservoir. Use the formula below
to find the necessary storage volume:


Peak demand Q x peak hours
Volume =

production capacity x production hours
XXX

2.4.1 Open-air basin

The storage can be arranged as an open-air basin constructed with modern type of foils
as sealants/membranes. This will reduce leakage rates from the basin to the ground.
Advantages:
Inexpensive to build
Inexpensive to remove

Disadvantages:
Evaporation loss in hot climates
Growth of algae and moss
Salt concentration build-up due to evaporation
Destruction of membranes by livestock or sabotage
Takes up non-productive space in arable land
Risk of drowning (humans and livestock)

26

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

2.4.2 Water tank or underground cavern

Grundfos recommends alternative storage methods if the disadvantages listed
above are deemed unfeasible. Constructing them will require various levels of
investments.
Water tank: Can be constructed from corrugated steel or prefab concrete elements.
Underground cavern: Constructing a tank and covering it with arable soil.
Advantages:
Low evaporation losses
Low algae & moss growth
Low salt concentrations from low rates of evaporation
Protected from contamination by animal and plant life
Can be covered with a roof and used for another purpose
No risk of drowning

Multiple pumps can draw from

an underground cavern

Disadvantages:
Expensive to build
Expensive to remove

2.4.3 Parallel operating boosters

When designing the distribution pump system from a storage basin, it is usually
beneficial to choose parallel operating boosters, as this solution requires smaller
motor sizes. Other benefits include:

Reduction of starting amps

Reduction of water hammer at start/stop
Introduction of cost-free flow adaptation depending on crop type and
irrigation demand

AVAILABILITY OF WATER

27

3. Crops and water

All field crops require nutrients, water, air, and sunshine to grow. The correct
balance between them all contributes to the success of the harvest. Grundfos
can help with the provision of water where and when necessary.
Relying on natural precipitation is perhaps the simplest form of providing water
to crops. However, when more water is needed than is supplied, irrigation is the
perfect solution to bridging the gap.
An important factor to note is that the amount of irrigation water needed
depends on three main elements:
the amount of water naturally present (effective rainfall)
the amount of water needed by the crop
the climatic conditions
These points are covered in this chapter. Combining them properly is one of the
keys to efficient and effective irrigation system operation.

28

CROPS AND WATER

3.1 Annual amount of rainfall

The amount of irrigation required depends on the yearly rainfall and its distribution. Several divisions of climate related to the amount of annual rainfall exist.
Humid: over 1200 mm of rain annually. This amount covers the water needs
for many crops. Irrigation is usually not necessary, but may increase yield
significantly in some years.
Sub-humid and semi-arid: between 400 and 1200 mm of rain annually. This
amount is not enough for many crops. Irrigation increases annual crop yield,
making production possible in the dry season.
Semi-arid, arid and deserts: less than 400 mm of rain annually. Irrigation is
indispensable.

Cereal production (kg/ha)

Yields and water

requirements of
irrigated and rainfed
agriculture

8000
7000

Irrigated crops
high-yielding
varieties,
high inputs

6000

5000
4000

Irrigated crops,
low inputs

3000
2000

Rainfed crops,
optimal inputs

1000

Rainfed crops,
low inputs

0
0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Irrigation can increase crop yield significantly, but consumes much more water.
(Modified on Crops and Drops: Making the best use of water for agriculture, FAO, 2002)

CROPS AND WATER

29

3.1.1. The need for irrigation

Irrigation is needed when a precipitation deficit occurs. Even in areas where the
average annual rainfall is sufficient to cover average evapotranspiration, some
periods will require irrigation.
For example, this situation occurs every year in arid and semi-arid regions, such as
in the Mediterranean part of Europe. In humid and semi-humid regions, such as
in Northern Europe, precipitation deficits occur in some years and only
temporarily in the crop-growing season.

Annual precipitation is crucial

Precipitation deficit in sub tropical ares

Precipitation deficit in temperate ares

Water amount (mm)

Water amount (mm)

700

700

600

Defici
Sum

500

Sum

600

400

400

300

300

200

200

100

100

Defici
Sum

500

Sum

Month 1

30

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

CROPS AND WATER

Month 5

Month 6

Month 7

Month 1

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

Month 5

Month 6

Month 7

3.1.2. Gathering data

Crop and irrigation water needs are known in some countries, and distributed
by the Irrigation Department, Ministry of Agriculture, or other local authorities.
If this is not possible, the data needs to be calculated on the spot.
The basic equation for calculating irrigation water needs is shown below:

Calculating irrigation water needs

Crop
water need

Effective
rainfall

Irrigation
water need

WATER
CROPS AND WATER

31

3.2 Crop water needs

The plants roots draw water from the soil for growth and survival. However, most
of this water escapes as vapour through the plants leaves through transpiration.
From an open water surface, which may be found on the soil as well as on plant
leaves, water escapes directly through evaporation.
The water need of a crop is therefore known as evapotranspiration, where transpiration and evaporation are added. This water need is most commonly expressed
in mm/day, mm/month, or mm/season.
For crops, the water uptake and loss by evapotranspiration is essential for achieving
high yields of good quality. This water flow enables the crop to:

Sunlight + CO2 =
photosynthesis

Transpiration

Utilise the sunlight to produce structural matter through photosynthesis

Draw important nutrients from the soil
Control the temperature of its surfaces

Rainwater

Evaporation

During photosynthesis, plants convert water,

carbon dioxide, and sunlight into structural matter
and oxygen

32

CROPS AND WATER

Example of crop water need

You have a crop in a sunny warm environment with a water need of 10 mm/day. Note
that these 10 mm do not need to be supplied every day. 50 mm of irrigation water can
be applied every 5 days. The root zone will store the water until the plant needs it.
The three major factors that determine crop water needs are:
The climate: crops grown in a hot climate need more water per day than in a
cloudy and cold climate
The crop type: rice or sugarcane require more water than carrots or olives
The growth stage: fully developed crops need more water than newly
planted crops
3.2.1 The climate
Maize grown in a sunny, hot climate obviously requires more water per day than maize
grown in a cloudy, cold climate. The humidity and wind speed also play into this equation, however.

CROPS AND WATER

33

3.2.2 The crop type

Two factors affecting the crop water need are related to the crop type. One deals with the
size of the crop when fully developed; the other deals with the length of the growing season.
Physical size: Maize plants will draw much more water than wheat
Length of growing season: short duration crops such as peas grow for 90-100
days; longer duration crops such as melons grow for 120-160 days
While, for example, the daily water need of melons may be less than the daily water need
of peas, the seasonal water need of melons will be higher than that of peas because the
duration of the total growing season of melons is much longer.

Crop type is very important when

calculating irrigation needs

34

CROPS AND WATER

After mid-season, some crops do not need the peak amount of water any longer. Freshharvested crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, and melons, on the other hand, require the
peak amount until harvesting.
The influence of the crop type on both the daily and seasonal crop water needs are discussed in the sections on page 36.

3.2.3 Growth stage

Evapotranspiration is plant transpiration combined with evaporation from the soil
and plant surface. Smaller crops require less water than mature crops. On the other
hand, the evaporation from the soil is greater when the crops are smaller with more
soil exposed to sun and wind.

Flowering

Grain
setting

Ripening

Harvest

Planting

Initial stage

Crop development Mid-season

Late season

Note that the crops themselves will typically only need approximately 50% of the
water they need during mid-season when they blossom and set grain. This peak
need is found at the beginning of the mid-season stage. This is the high point for
water need. Remember that irrigation systems should be dimensioned to meet
these demanding periods.

CROPS AND WATER

35

Again, the climate plays an important role in crops water need. Note the
differences between the same crops when grown in different climates.
Water needs
Crop

Sub tropical climate

Yearly

The climate can dramatically

change the crop water need for
the same crop

36

CROPS AND WATER

Temperate climate

Daily (peak)

Yearly
m3/ha/year

Daily (peak)

m3/ha/year

m3/ha/day

m3/ha/day

Cereals

2,000-3,000

110

1,000 - 1,500

65

Leguminous plants

5,000

110

2,500

65

Tubers (potatoes)

6,000

110

3,000

65

Soya

4,000

110

Beet root

7,500 - 8,000

95

3,700 - 4,000

57

Alfalfa

8,000 - 9,000

115

4,000 - 4,500

70

Fodder maize

4,000 - 5,000

115

2,000 - 2,500

70

Maize and sorghum

8,000

110

4,000

65

Fruit trees

5,500

90

2,800

55

Wine

1,500 - 2,000

65

Turf grass

10,000

100

6,000

60

65

3.2.4 Effective rainfall

Contrary to what you may think, not all rain water that falls can be used by the plants.
Some percolates deep beneath the surface; some flows away as run-off. The root zone
stores the remaining rain water. These millimetres are known as the effective rainfall.
The climate, soil texture and structure, and the depth of the root zone all affect the
amount of effective rainfall. Where rainfall is heavy, a large percentage of it is lost
through percolation and run-off. The saturated soil simply cannot absorb more water.
Another factor that needs to be taken into account when estimating the effective
rainfall is the variation of the rainfall over the years. Especially in low rainfall climates,
the little rain that falls is often unreliable; one year may be relatively dry and another
year may be relatively wet.
The effective precipitation is estimated on a monthly basis, using measured rainfall
data and local information, if available.
If effective precipitation becomes insufficient, the minerals and salts in your irrigation
water will increase in the soil. The salinity will increase, and your crops will be negatively affected.

CROPS AND WATER

37

3.3 Other applications

3.3.1 Dust control
To improve the air quality of the major cities, governments especially in Asia are
establishing green belts of trees and shrubs to create anti-storm forest barriers
around the cities. These windbreaks reduce dust and redirect wind, and thereby
improve the environmental conditions or microclimate in the sheltered zone. At the
same time, keeping sand and dust at bay also calls for preventing desertification by
recovering vegetation near desert areas.
To ensure that the vegetation grows and in that way provides sufficient defense
against the sand and dust threats to the cities, adequate irrigation systems are
required especially during dry periods.

Crop roots hold onto the soil and

keep dust down

3.3.2 Fire prevention

A fire control irrigation system does not itself extinguish fires. Rather, it ensures
that green areas surrounding hospitals, schools, etc. are kept moist and thereby
serve as fire buffer zones or defensible spaces against wildfires.
Dead weed, trees and dry grass represent hazardous fuels that neither slow down
nor stop fires from spreading. However, especially green grass and olive groves
have proven very fire resistant, provided they are irrigated properly, are widely
spaced, and have high moisture content.
3.3.3 Frost protection
Sprinkling is used a lot for frost protection of crops. By adding water to the surface
of the crops, and by making sure there is always some water on the crop surface,
whether any ice or not, the temperature can never get below zero, and the crops
are perfectly protected from freezing.
A rule of thumb suggests a 1 mm water application rate per hour for every one
degree celcius below zero to provide protection.
If the 1 mm of water is converted to l/m2 it looks like:
Qfp = 1 l/m2/h/degr.C.
where Qfp is the minimum flow rate to protect the crops against freezing.

38

CROPS AND WATER

CROPS AND WATER

39

4. Irrigation water quality

Water for irrigation usually
comes from the following sources:
Rain water
Surface water
Ground water
In each case, the water has absorbed a range
of metals, minerals, salts, pathogens, and
biocides along the way. Removing them before
applying the water is therefore very important.
Several methods can be employed to do so.

40

IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

4.1 Bag filtering

This mechanical and biological filtering system removes dissolved minerals, salts,
pathogens, and biocides present in the water.
The permeability of the bag you choose needs to be directly related to the matter
you need to remove. The micron rating given to each bag is based upon the size of
the square mesh openings formed in the weaving process. The smaller the rating,
the smaller the particles need to be in order to pass through the filter. This therefore provides finer filtering.
Primary bag filtration removes coarse dirt, sedimentation, oils, etc. Very small
micron-rated bag filters can remove dissolved matter, in a process similar to reverse
osmosis.
If the water is acidic, alkaline, gassy, or aggressive, it must be treated through traditional filtering and chemically stabilised. Open tank systems with efficient aeration
are recommended for this process.

Bag filtering consists of mechanical and

biological water quality improvement

4.2 Carbonising
In some very humus soils, carbonising of the drip waters improves plant growth by
10 - 20%. C02 and/or CO3 is added primarily from compressed gas cylinders.

4.3 Direct fertilisation

Some of the nutrients required for plant growth can be mixed directly into the
irrigation water. This fertilisation through irrigation reduces labour costs and
makes the washing off of fertiliser during heavy rains a minor issue.

IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

41

4.4 Ion exchange

A high salt content can pose a problem to plant growth and health. Installing an ion
exchange system for salt removal is one way to solve this problem. Chemicals such as
urea (46% nitrogen) and micro minerals including Ca++ and Mg++ can be dosed to the
irrigation water, resulting in the plants being less affected by a high salt content.
Ion exchange can also be used to soften water. The most effective way to treat hard water
for domestic use is to install an ion exchange resin softener. This softening equipment
works best when the pH is between 7.0 and 8.0 and water temperature is less than 32C.
When hard water is passed through the softener, the calcium and magnesium are
replaced by sodium from the exchange resin.

42

IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

4.5 pH adjustment
The pH-value of your irrigation water directly affects the availability of most
elements, especially micronutrients.
Too low a pH can result in increased micronutrient availability that can lead to
phytotoxic responses in some plant species
Too high a pH will lock out some elements that become unavailable to the plants
Problems associated with out of range pH:
Low pH causes:
Toxicity in iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu)
Deficiency in calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)
High pH causes:
Deficiency in iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B)

Grundfos metering/dosing pumps

are perfect for the precise addition
of exactly the media you need

For example, if the pH is too high, iron may become unavailable. Even though your
nutrient solution may have an ideal iron content, your plants may not be able to
absorb it, resulting in iron deficiency. The plants leaves will yellow and weaken.

Different crops prefer specific hardness ranges (see examples)

Crop

Preferred pH

Potatoes

5.25 - 6.0

Watermelon

6.0 - 6.75

Alfalfa

6.75 - 7.5

If your water source does not correspond to the preferred pH value, it can be
adjusted by adding a pH-adjustment agent directly into your irrigation flow.
The following media can be employed:
To raise pH: Lime milk, caustic soda
To lower pH: Nitric acid

IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

43

5. Drainage
For crops, water uptake, and evapotranspiration is essential for achieving high yields of the best possible quality. Whats more, the plants utilise
evapotranspiration, sunlight, and CO2 uptake to produce structural matter
from the nutrients in the soil or irrigation water. Additionally, the surface
of the plants is kept at the optimal temperature for growth.
Evapotranspiration, photosynthesis, and temperature regulation are hampered if metals, salts, or minerals accumulate in the soil texture around the
rotting zone. For most agricultural crops, the maximum permissible content of salt is approx. 0.1%.

44

DRAINAGE

Addition of salt content

Irrigation with 100 mm of water with a salt content of 0.1% means a salt increase of 1,000
kg/ha. Unless this additional salt content is leached through natural precipitation during
non-irrigation periods, soil productivity will be drastically reduced.
If this natural leaching does not take place during non-irrigation periods, the maximum advisable salt content is 0.05%, dependent on:
The soil type
The crop to be grown
The irrigation method
Some crops such as cotton, can tolerate a salt content of up to 0.3%, 3000 T.D.S.
Saturation
Nutrient content can fall greatly if the soil texture remains saturated for long periods
of time. Covering the soil is one way to avoid saturation, yet side effects such as rotting and soil texture digestive processes occur. These side effects arise when the soil is
deprived of air.
Efficient drainage is therefore essential to ensure the maximum effects of irrigation.

Drainage level depending on type of soil

Type of soil

Solution

Depth

Location

Sandy

Ditches

Approx. 120 cm

Surrounding
irrigated fields

Silty/clayish

Below-ground piping

Approx. 120-150 cm

Below ground, in
irrigated fields

DRAINAGE

45

6. Pump catalogue
This chapter contains some basic information on the most commonly
used Grundfos pumps for irrigation. Please note that these pumps
represent only a small fraction of Grundfos extensive product portfolio.
We nonetheless recommend that you always consult the Grundfos
WinCAPS or WebCAPS for pump sizing, or your local Grundfos
representative for detailed product and application information
before making your final selection.
Pump selection is thankfully not as complicated as rocket science.
However, there are certain factors to be aware of before the right
pump can be chosen. Some of the parameters listed on the following
pages should be considered before selecting your pump.

46

PUMP CATALOGUE

6.1 Factors to consider

1) Proper irrigation design layout
The irrigation system must:
Meet the crops need for water
Optimise irrigation efficiency
Divide the irrigated area into zones with varied irrigation needs to solve this
situation. You can choose different types of crops, or perhaps vary the exposure to
sun and wind, if possible. You can select shady or sloped areas for certain crops.

2) Irrigation equipment
Different irrigation equipment requires different amounts of water and pressure.
Therefore the equipment must be selected before selecting the pump.

Choosing the right pump is crucial to

the success of your irrigation system.
No matter what your irrigation
needs, Grundfos has it covered

The controller must not be overlooked. It controls pump performance, even

turning it on and off during predefined periods. You will conserve water by not
irrigating in direct sunlight, or when winds are heavy. A Grundfos controller can
be programmed to optimise operation with due respect to both the crops and
water conservation.
Turning the pump off for a time will allow the soil to absorb the irrigated water.
Engaging it later on will improve absorption and reduce wasted water.

3) Source of water
The location of your irrigation water makes a difference to the pump you should
select. Grundfos deep well submersible pumps are specially designed to lift water
from several hundred metres underground. You can use a variety of pumps when
drawing surface water.

PUMP CATALOGUE

47

4) Power consumption
Pumps and motors have different efficiencies, and the overall efficiency should
always be calculated before the final selection is made. Your electricity bill will
depend on how many kW the motor absorbs. Simply compare the flow and head
produced by the pump with the kW consumption of the motor.
It may be calculated as follows:

Q x H
Efficiency % =
x 100

365 x P1
Q = flow in m3/h
H = head (pressure from pump in metres)
P1 = the kW required by the motor. Note that this must not be confused with
the kW output stamped on the motor nameplate.

Most pump manufacturers are able to provide all relevant data, so a true
calculation of the efficiency can be made.
5) Flow
Two basic elements are crucial:
The availability of water
The crops need for water

When using ground water, we often recommend using more than one well in order
to minimise the drawdown. We also recommend employing several small pumps
rather than one large pump. Benefits include:
Easy to cut in / cut out pumps according to flow demand
Minimisation of leakage caused by excessive system pressure
Energy consumption is reduced, as lifting height is limited
Negative influences on the aquifer are avoided

48

PUMP CATALOGUE

6) Pressure
System pressure should be kept as low as possible. Reasons include:
Reduce leakages
Conserve water
Reduce energy consumption
However, a specific minimum pressure for proper functioning is usually necessary.
Without this, the correct performance of the irrigation equipment can not be
guarrenteed.
7) Additional considerations
Submersible pumps offer two main advantages when drawing water from a
reservoir or lake:
Improved theft protection, when the pumps are submerged
Noise is reduced to only the noise from the pipes and the valves
Please note that in a horizontal installation in a reservoir or lake, a flow sleeve
to ensure proper cooling of the motor is required.
8) Variable pump performance
Speed regulation is the most efficient way to adapt pump performance to output
demand. Additional pumps can start and stop accordingly.
Grundfos has a range of pumps with variable speed controls, and can deliver
packaged booster pumps with simple controls.
Some irrigation equipment manufacturers also design controls, which are
optimised for separate pump and irrigation equipment performance.
9) Pump protection
Grundfos has a wide range of protection devices, warding off the most common
disturbances, like overload, over or undervoltage, phase unbalance, dry run, and
insufficient cooling.

PUMP CATALOGUE

49

Grundfos SP / SP A / SP-G
- 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 submersible pumps
High pump efficiency
The Grundfos range of all submersible pumps is ideal for irrigation in horticulture and
agriculture. The SP range is characterised by permanent energy-efficient operation and
low installation and service costs.
Example:
Price per kWh: 0.10
Pumped water: 200 m3/h with a head of 100 m
Period: 10 years
Choosing a pump with a 10% higher efficiency can save you 60,000.

The SP range is made exclusively of corrosion

resistant stainless steel components, thus
offering high resistance to abrasives and
corrosive agents from wells, boreholes,
reservoirs, lakes, and rivers

50

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
High efficiency
Long service life as all components are stainless steel
Motor protection and controls

Performance curves
H
[m ]

50 Hz

For bore hole diameter 10"

8"

600
S P 55-G

400

12"
S P 90-G
S P 270-G

S P 300-G

200

S P 360-G

100
80
60
SP A

S P 17 S P 30 S P 46 S P 60 S P 77 S P 95 S P 125 S P 160 S P 215

40

20

10
0

10

20

40

60

80 100

200

400

600

Q [ m /h]

Technical data
Flow, Q:
Head, H:
Liquid temp.:
Installation depth:

max. 470 m3/h

max. 670 m
0C to +60C
max. 600 m

Due to the high wear-resistance

of the stainless steel, the pump is
virtually maintenance-free

PUMP CATALOGUE

51

Grundfos SQ / SQ-N / SQE / SQE-N

- 3 submersible pumps
Simple installation and operation
The Grundfos SQ pump is the standard model of the 3 submersible pump series.
The SQ is ideal for smaller irrigation systems, where easy installation and operation
are essential.
SQE package deal
The SQE constant-pressure package is a complete solution that doesnt require extra
control units or additional connections. Everything you need for the pump installation is included in the package control unit, pressure tank, pressure sensor, cable,
pressure gauge, valve, and the submersible pump.

Simple installation, easy operation and no

maintenance have made the Grundfos SQ
pump a popular choice for smaller irrigation
systems

52

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
Constant pressure
Integrated dry-running protection
Soft start
Over- and undervoltage protection
High efficiency

Performance curves
H
[m]

SQ
SQ - N
SQE
SQE - N

200

150

ISO 9906 Annex A

100

80

60

SQ 1

SQ 2

SQ 3

SQ 5

40

30

20

SQ 7
15

10
0

Technical data
Flow, Q:
Head, H:
Liquid temp.:
Installation depth:

max. 9 m3/h
max. 210 m
0C to +40C
max. 150 m

Q [m/h]

The SQ range of submersible

pumps comes in a variety of sizes
and additional options

PUMP CATALOGUE

53

Grundfos CR / CRI / CRN

- Multistage centrifugal pumps
Adding constant pressure to your system
Keeping a constant sufficient pressure in your irrigation system can be vital
to secure uniform irrigation.
If your submersible pump is unable to supply a constant pressure, caused by
pressure loss in the pipe work, height differences or due to long or bended
piping, the Grundfos CR will secure exactly the flow and pressure that you
require.
The Grundfos CR range is extremely reliable and energy-efficient. And despite the long life of the pump, it is virtually maintenance-free.

CR pumps are available in a

wide range of material
versions according to the
quality of the water

54

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
Reliability
High efficiency
Service-friendly
Space-saving
Suitable for slightly aggressive liquids

Performance curves
H
[m]

50 Hz

400
300
CR 32
CRN 32

200

100
80
60

CR 1s

CR 3

CR 10

CR 20

CR 64

CRI 1s

CRI 3

CRI 10

CRI 20

CRN 64

CRN 1s

40
30

CRN 3

CRN 10

CRN 20

CR 1

CR 5

CR 15

CR 45

CR 90

CRI 1

CRI 5

CRI 15

CRN 45

CRN 90

CRN 1

CRN 5

CRN 15

20
0.8

Technical data
Flow, Q: max. 120 m3/h
Head, H: max. 480 m
Liquid temp.:
40C to +180C
Operat. pres.:
max. 50 bar

10

20

30

40

50 60

80 100

Q [m/h]

The CR range comes in several

variants and pump sizes

PUMP CATALOGUE

55

Grundfos HS
- Horizontal Split Case pumps
Grundfos Horizontal Split Case pumps large volumes of water and is ideal
for large scale boosting or transfer of water from i.e. a river to a reservoir.
Flow range from a few m3/h through more than 10.000 m3/h.
Split case pumps have easy, fast and quick access for maintenance and servicing without disturbing the pipework.

Featuring a robust housing

design for excellent long-term
performance, the Split Case
pumps cover a wide range of
pump sizes providing reliable,
economical solutions for todays irrigation applications

56

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
Reliability
Efficiency
Service friendly
Easy maintenance without disturbing pipework

Performance curves
H
[m]

Hydro MPC

400

50 Hz
ISO 9906 Annex A
300

200

100
90

6x
CRI 5

6x
CRI 3

80
70

6x
CRI 10

6x
CR 45

6x
CRI 20
6x
CR 32

6x
CRI 15

60

6x
CR 64

50

6x
CR 90

40

30

20
1

8 10

20

40

60

80 100

200

400

600

1000

Q [m/h]

Technical data
Flow, Q max. 4000 m3/h
Head, H max. 220 m
Liquid temp.:
0-90C
Operat. pres.: max. 25 bar

PUMP CATALOGUE

57

Grundfos Hydro 2000

- Booster system
Variable flow requirement with constant pressure.
Maintaining the correct pressure is vital for any irrigation installation. It is
important in order to irrigate the correct amount of water for the specific
crops or grass. And it is important in order to conserve water. Hydro MPC
can be extended with a number of sensors so it will maintain the optimal
amount of irrigated water depending on weather conditions and climate.
All this is done with the highest efficiency and a minimum of energy consumption.

Featuring a compact design

with pumps and controls
mounted on one platform
ready for pumping, when
suction/pressure pipes and
power have been installed

58

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
Constant pressure
Simple installation
Low-energy
Wide range

Performance curves
H

HS

[m ]

4-pole, 50 Hz

200

250- 200-580-2

150

200-150- 480-2

350- 300-770
300-250-680

200-150- 460-2

120

450-350- 660

150- 125- 420-2

100

350- 300-590
250- 200-580

80

125- 100-360-2
450-350- 540

200-150- 480

60

250- 200-480

300-250-510

50
1 50
-1 2

40
80-50-380

300-250-380
5 -3

80

200-150- 380

100-80-380

30

12

5 -1

100-80-300
125- 100-300

20
15

15

00
-3 8

0-1
2

150- 125- 300

90

15

80-65-240

20
01

5 -2

12
0-

150- 100-240

0-2

00
-3

30
0-2
5

350- 300-480
042

80

450-350- 440

250- 200-300
50
-3

350- 350- 390

00

250- 250- 300

350- 300-340

200-150- 240

0
24
5-

100-80-240

10

25

250- 250- 240

8
6
20

30

40

50

60

80

100

150

200

300

400 500 600

800 1000

1500

2000

3000 4000
Q [ m /h]

Technical data
Flow, Q: max. 720 m3/h
Head, H: max. 220 m
Liquid temp.:
5C to +70C
Operat. pres.:
max. 16 bar

PUMP CATALOGUE

59

Grundfos NB / NK
- End-suction centrifugal pumps
Constant pressure for large-scale systems
The Grundfos end-suction pumps are especially suitable
for water distribution in large-scale irrigation systems. The
heavy-duty allrounders offer extreme volume and reliable
operation under tough working conditions.
Furthermore, the horizontal construction of the pump allows
easy dismantling of the pump and the back pull-out design
guarantees easy and uncomplicated service.

The robust design of the Grundfos NK range

secures reliable operation and long life

60

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
Standard dimensions according to EN or ISO standards
Wide range
Robust design
Heavy-duty
Flexible motor range

Performance curves
H
[m]

NK

90
80
70

NK

1450 min

-1

00
0-5
25

NK 200-500

60
NK

50

0
40
020

40
512

NK 150-320

NK

30

5
31
010

NK 80-315

NK 65-315

20

NK
65
-20
0

NK 50-200

12
531
5

NK 125-250

25

NK 250-400

0-3
3

NK 250-310

NK 300-360

5
31
015

NK 40-200

NK 80-250

NK

NK

NK 32-200

NK 32-200.1

10
9
8
7

NK 65-250

0
25
010

NK 50-250

15

NK

NK 40-250

NK

NK

0
40
015

NK 100-400

NK

NK 80-400

40

NK 80-200
NK 100-200

NK 150-200

NK 32-160.1
NK 32-160

NK 40-160

NK 50-160 NK 65-160

NK 80-160

5
NK 32-125.1

NK 32-125

NK 40-125

NK 50-125

NK 65-125

2
2

Technical data
Flow, Q: max. 2000 m3/h
Head, H: max. 150 m
Liquid temp.:
25C to +140C
Operat. pres.:
max. 16 bar

10

15

20

30

40

60

80 100

150

200

300

400

600

8001000

1500 2000

Q [m/h]

The wide range of motor sizes

allows you to fit the Grundfos NK/NB
to your specific requirements

PUMP CATALOGUE

61

Grundfos BM / BMB
- 4, 6, and 8 Booster Modules
Exceptional boosting in every respect
Because every component of the Grundfos BM is built into a high-quality stainless
steel sleeve, it is completely covered from possible damaging elements. Consequently, the booster module can be buried in the ground or installed out in the open,
depending on your specific requirements.
Sheltered from any outside influence, the Grundfos BM range is never exposed to
wear and is therefore completely maintenance-free. This entails reliable and energyefficient operation, extremely long life, and no leakage thanks to the absence of a
shaft seal.

Make an underground installation or leave it

out in the open. Once it is installed you need
not worry about the Grundfos BM for many,
many years

62

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
Integrated dry-running protection
Soft start
Over and undervoltage protection
High efficiency

Performance curves
H
[m]

50 Hz

400

200

20

BM 215

BM 160

BM 125

BM 95

BM 77

BM 60

BM 46

BM 30

BM 17

BM 8A

40

BM 5A

BM 3A

100

BM 8"

BM 6"
BM 4"

10
0.8
1 1

Technical data
Flow, Q:
Head, H:
Liquid temp.:
Installation depth:

max. 300 m3/h

max. 80 bar
0C to +60C
max. 150 m

10

20

30

40

60

80 100

200
300
Q [m/h]

The Grundfos BM comes in a

wide range of models to meet
your every requirement

PUMP CATALOGUE

63

Grundfos DME / DMS

- Compact diaphragm dosing pumps
Precise fertigation
The application of nutrients through irrigation systems is
called fertigation, a contraction of fertilisation and irrigation. The most common nutrient applied by fertigation is
nitrogen. Elements applied less often include phosphorus,
potassium, sulfur, zinc, and iron.
Grundfos diaphragm dosing range is ideal for fertigation
because it is resistant to highly corrosive chemicals, and at
the same time able to inject extremely precise amounts of
fertiliser. Furthermore, a Grundfos dosing solution secures
optimal mixing of fertilizer in the water line and is not
affected by changes in water pressure, which, combined
with precision, secures precise and uniform irrigation.

The Grundfos dosing range consists of two motor variants. The DME series comes with a variable-speed motor.
The DMS variants use synchronous motors that run at
constant speed, stopping only between cycles

64

PUMP CATALOGUE

Features
Precise capacity setting in ml or l
Full diaphragm control
Stroke speed or frequency capacity control
Proportional dosing
Operation panel with display and one-touch buttons
Front or side-fitted operation panel
Manual, pulse, and analog control
Pulse/timer-based batch control

Performance curves
p
[bar]

p
[bar]

DMS

11

DME

18

10

16
DME 2-18

14
8

12

10

6
5

DMS 2-11

DME 8-10

DME 60-10

DMS 4-7

DME
12-6

3
DMS 8-5

DME
19-6

DME 150-4

DMS 12-3

DME 48-3
0

0
0

10

11

12

13

Q [l/h]

Technical data
Capacity, Q:
Pressure, p:
Liquid temp.:

2.5

7.5

12

18.5

48 60

150

Q [l/h]

max. 150 l/h

max. 18 bar
max. +50C

PUMP CATALOGUE

65

7. About Grundfos
With manufacturing facilities around the globe and an annual
production of more than 10 million pumps, Grundfos is one of the
worlds largest pump manufacturers.
Expert assistance
We can assist you through every stage of the irrigation process: from
the initial planning stages through implementation and installation to
service and maintenance. We are specialists; it is our business to know
all there is to know about pumping. But our specialised knowledge
also gives us breadth of vision knowing what can be done enables
us to see potential solutions. All solutions are as energy-efficient and
mechanically reliable as possible, and often customised to match your
specific demands.

66

ABOUT GRUNDFOS

Full-line supplier
In addition to our wide range of quality pumps for irrigation, we offer solutions
within fire protection, heating, air conditioning, water supply, sanitary processes,
wastewater, dosing, and industrial applications.

Global presence
Grundfos has a highly efficient worldwide organisation of sales, support, and
service professionals. With more than 13,000 employees in 67 Grundfos
companies in over 40 countries, we are never far away. Wherever you are based,
you can always get in touch with us for advice and assistance, and spare parts
are readily available.
The Grundfos Group invests heavily in R&D to be able to constantly introduce
groundbreaking products with increased capabilities and high quality performance.
Quality is a key component in all Grundfos products, which implies a constant
focus on construction, design, and choice of materials and processes. Grundfos
companies are registered according to the environmental standard of ISO 14001
and the European EMAS.

A small selection of pumps for a

wide range of applications

For more information about our wide range of pump solutions, please visit:
www.grundfos.com

ABOUT GRUNDFOS

67

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Being responsible is our foundation

Thinking ahead makes it possible
Innovation is the essence

www.grundfos.com