Treatment with acids is mainly needed to dissolve precipitates of lime (calcium carbonate) and calcium residue from fertilizer applied under high pH conditions in the drip irrigation system. The goal of Acid treatment is to reduce the pH level of irrigation water.
The most common elements that may clog drip emitters by precipitation and sedimentation are calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese, where calcium carbonate being the most common precipitate. Water that contain high levels of these elements, and have a pH above 7.0, might potentially cause clogging.
Hydrochloric acid, Nitric acid, Sulphuric acid and Ortho Phosphoric Acid can be used for acid treatment. Hydrochloric acid, Nitric acid and Sulphuric acid are mostly used because of lesser cost, except for crops that can’t tolerate chloride. A commercial grade of acids brings down the pH between 2 to 4 capable of dissolving most of the precipitations. After acid treatment leave the drip system for 24 hours.
Acid can be applied through drip irrigation system by a fertilizer pump or by conventional control head with a fertilizer tank.
Always add Acid to Water and never add Water to Acid.
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