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This research explores the effects of various chemical agents on cleaning sediment from microfluidic channels while evaluating their risk of chemical damage to irrigation laterals.

May 21, 2026Open Access

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Threshold Effect in Cleaning Sediment Clogs from Labyrinthine Microfluidic Channels in Drip Emitters and the Risk of Chemical Damage to Irrigation Laterals

LZLingying ZhuKunming University of Science and Technology NLNa LIKunming University of Science and Technology LYLiming YuKunming University of Science and Technology

Key Points

This research explores the effects of various chemical agents on cleaning sediment from microfluidic channels while evaluating their risk of chemical damage to irrigation laterals.
Investigated EDTA, NaOH, and SDBS effects on sediment clogging and structural integrity.
Measured flow recovery rates and tensile strength loss in irrigation laterals after chemical treatments.
Evaluated combinations of treatments to balance cleaning efficacy with material preservation.
EDTA shows dual thresholds of 12.5 mmol/L and 0.10 MPa for over 97% flow recovery.
NaOH requires more than 0.10 MPa for effective cleaning, achieving over 97.7% recovery alongside EDTA in 90 minutes.
NaOH leads to a significant 32% loss in lateral tensile strength, while EDTA results in only a 14% loss, enhancing particle repellency.

Abstract

Labyrinthine microfluidic channels (LMCs) in drip irrigation emitters face sediment clogging, threatening irrigation efficiency and system longevity. This study investigates threshold effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) flushing on LMC rehabilitation and polyethylene lateral damage. Results show EDTA has a dual threshold (12.5 mmol/L, 0.10 MPa) for >97.0% stable flow recovery, balancing chelation efficiency with the prevention of secondary deposition. NaOH requires >0.10 MPa to synergize chemical dissolution (e.g., anorthite leaching) with hydrodynamic shear; below this, cleaning fails. SDBS needs 0.12 MPa to activate microbubble turbulence for effective dispersion. Alternating NaOH+EDTA flushing achieves >97.7% recovery in 90 min, mitigating individual drawbacks. Mechanistically, NaOH causes severe lateral damage (32% tensile strength loss via chain scission), EDTA minimally impacts mechanics (14% loss) but enhances particle repellency, and SDBS preserves integrity but risks surface fouling. The EDTA-NaOH alternating strategy optimally balances cleaning efficacy and infrastructure preservation, providing a mechanistic basis for sustainable sediment management in microfluidic irrigation systems. • Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) shows dual thresholds: 12.5 mmol/L + 0.10 MPa. • Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) needs >0.10 MPa; alternation with EDTA yields >97.7% recovery in 90 min. • NaOH degrades laterals (32% tensile loss); EDTA lessens damage, improves repellency. • EDTA–NaOH alternation balances cleaning & pipe longevity in sediment-rich systems.

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Zhu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0ea0f7be05d6e3efb5f476 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103007

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