The document summarizes the design of an irrigation system for a school garden. An engineering team designed iterations to determine the best water source, distribution, and control systems. The final design uses a spigot as the water source, drip tape and tubing for underground distribution, and a commercial controller. The team addressed challenges of time, reliability, scalability and installed the final system within budget.

1. Water Irrigation Design for Science Leadership Academy at Beeber
Paul Peck Scholars Capstone Project Presentation
Drexel University
March 14, 2016

2. OUTLINE
Introduction
Engineering Approach
Design Iterations
Final System Design

3. Introduction

4. Objective
Design and construct a sustainable irrigation system for the
Science Leadership Academy at Beeber school garden

5. Principle Beneficiaries

6. Paul Peck Scholars Program:
Leadership and mentoring
Business fundamentals
Creativity and innovation
Civic engagement
Capstone Project
Service learning project
Science Leadership Academy at Beeber

7. Paul Peck Scholars Program:
Leadership and mentoring
Business fundamentals
Creativity and innovation
Civic engagement
Capstone Project
Service learning project
Teachers + Students

8. Overbrook Community

9. Local Residence

10. Local ResidenceSchool District of Philadelphia

11. Local ResidenceSustainability Director

12. Drexel University

13. Paul Peck Scholars

14. Paul Peck Scholars Program:
Leadership and mentoring
Business fundamentals
Creativity and innovation
Civic engagement
Capstone Project
Service learning project

15. Initial Site Visit
Initial Site Visit

16. Site Layout

17. Engineering Approach

18. Water Source
Water Transportation System
Reservoir
Garden
Distribution Controller
Water Distribution System
Power Source Sensory System
Drainage
Battery
Water
Harnessing
System
Control
System
Water
Distribution
System
Engineering Teams

19. Design Iterations

20. Water Source
Water Transportation System
Distribution Controller
Water Distribution System
Power SourceBattery Sensory System
Reservoir
Drainage
Garden
Water
Harnessing
System

21. Water Harnessing System
Decision Criteria:
1. Volume Capacity
2. Enough Pressure
3. Sustainable
4. Filtration Needed?
5. Simple
6. Involves students (Maker Shop

22. Water Collection Decision Matrix
1-3 (3 is best)
Spigot Build a Shelter for
Runoff
Harness Roof
Water
Vol Capacity 3 1 3
Enough Pressure 3 1 3
Sustainable 1 3 3
Filtration 3 2 1
Simple Design 3 2 1
Involves Students 1 3 2
TOTAL 14 13 13

23. Volume Capacity
Total garden area = 575 ft^2
If we use an evapotranspiration rate of .15 in/day
Total water needed = 7.18 ft^3 = 54 gallons/day
Rainfall of 0.22 in (average)
Roof area of 10 ft x 10 ft =27.2 gal/rain
Total area needed to collect water = 200 ft^2
Approximately 11 picnic tables

24. Water Collection Design Updates
Due to design complications with building the shelter for
runoff collection such as financial constraint, the spigot
was chosen

25. Water Source
Water Transportation System
Distribution Controller
Water Distribution System
Power SourceBattery Sensory System
Reservoir
Drainage
Garden

26. Control System
Commercial
Custom

27. Control System
Commercial
Advantages:
Reliable
Durable
Not time-intensive
Disadvantage:
No data
Not as useful for educational tool
Custom
Advantages:
Data collection
Educational for students
Disadvantage:
Time-intensive
Needs testing - questionable reliability
Weatherproofing required

28. Irrigation controller with moisture sensor
specification
¾ inch valve controlled according to moisture content of soil
Solar powered with backup batteries
Has both moisture controlled and time controlled mode
Easy to operate, worry free
Flow spec:
0.02Mpa≥2.0L/Min (equivalent 2m deep)
0.2Mpa≥9.5L/Min (equivalent 20m deep)
Max pressure: 1.0Mpa

29. Water Source
Water Transportation System
Distribution Controller
Water Distribution System
Power SourceBattery Sensory System
Reservoir
Drainage
Garden

30. Water distribution System
Decision Criteria:
1. ON/OFF system (Automatic system)
2. Pressure in tubes/hose (High or low)
3. Quality
4. Cost
5. Maintenance
6. Volume of water
7. Area covered
A.Sprinkler System
B.Over drip system
C.Under drip system

31. Criterion
Sprinkler
System
Drip
System
(Over)
Drip
System
(Under)
1 ON/OFF System 3 3 3
2 Low Pressure Required 1 3 3
3 Quality 3 2 2
4 Low Cost 2 3 3
5 Maintenance (Autonomy)... 2 3 3
6 Volume of Water 3 2 2
7 Area Covered 3 1 1
8 Installation Time/Difficulty 2 2 2
9 Efficiency 2 2 3
10 Backflow 1 3 3
TOTAL 22 23 24
Final Comments:
The Underground Drip System is
the best choice

32. Under Drip System
Basis of Design: DIG ½” Poly Tubing Model #B36
Price: $12 per 100 ft roll (1.5 Rolls per bed)
● Length - 100 ft
● Pressure Rating - 60 psi
● Emitter Spacing - 12 in
● Size - 0.600 in (Internal Diameter)
- 0.700 in (External Diameter)
● Volume Rating - 0.9 Per Hour

35. Water Distribution Design Updates
One Controller System per row of raised beds.
Vegetable Drip Tape Kit including drip tape and drip tubing from the Drip store.
Drip Tubing running across length of raised beds.
Other side of raised beds not included.

36. KeyChallenges

37. KeyChallenges
Time
Initially Uncertain Water Supply
System Reliability
System Scalability

38. Final System Design

39. Final Decision
Water Harnessing System:
Spigot Direct Connection
Water Distribution System:
Drip System
Control System:
Commercial Platform
Total Project Cost: < $500

40. Final Project Installation
System Installation

41. Final Installed System

42. Two months later...

43. Water Irrigation Design for Science Leadership Academy at Beeber
Paul Peck Scholars Capstone Project Presentation
Drexel University
March 14, 2016
Thank you! Questions?