Engineering and environmental optimization of hydraulic cleaning parameters of drainage systems for sustainable management of water and land resources in arid and mountainous regions
Abstract
Introduction. Sustainable management of water and land resources in arid and mountainous regions requires the reliable operation of subsurface drainage systems, which play a key role in controlling soil salinization, regulating groundwater levels, and maintaining agricultural productivity. In Central Asia, large-scale irrigation development has led to the formation of extensive collector–drainage networks; however, their efficiency is often reduced due to sediment accumulation and clogging. Previous studies mainly focus on individual technical parameters of drainage cleaning equipment, while insufficient attention is paid to integrated hydraulic optimization under region-specific environmental conditions. In this context, the present study provides a comprehensive engineering and environmental assessment of drainage flushing technologies with a focus on improving resource efficiency and sustainability. Methods. The research is based on a combined analytical and experimental approach, including comparative evaluation of widely used drainage flushing machines (MAN TGM 13.240 and KAMAZ KPM6-01.00.000.PS) and an experimental flushing head developed at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers. Key operational parameters such as water discharge, operating pressure, hose diameter, nozzle configuration, and flushing length were analyzed. Experimental flushing operations were conducted under standardized conditions for pipes up to 100 m in length and diameters ranging from 100 to 250 mm. Hydraulic relationships were assessed using theoretical calculations and regression analysis. Results. The results demonstrate that increasing water discharge alone does not proportionally improve sediment removal efficiency. The optimized flushing head design achieved comparable cleaning performance while reducing water consumption by up to 25% and improving hydraulic efficiency by approximately 30–35% compared to conventional systems. A strong linear relationship between water discharge and soil removal productivity was confirmed (R² ≈ 0.998–0.999). The improved performance is attributed to optimized nozzle geometry and flow distribution, which enhance jet coherence and sediment transport efficiency. Conclusions. It is shown that engineering optimization of hydraulic parameters and nozzle design is a key factor in enhancing the sustainability of drainage system maintenance. The proposed solutions enable effective cleaning with reduced water and energy consumption, which is particularly important for water-scarce and environmentally vulnerable regions, including mountainous areas. The findings provide a basis for selecting and adapting drainage flushing technologies under varying hydrogeological conditions and contribute to the development of resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable land and water management systems.