Determining operational requirements to optimise monolayer performance on a farm dam via a 'Universal Design Framework'

Abstract

Chemical monolayer films are potentially an economical low-impact means of reducing evaporative loss from farm water storages. However, their performance can be highly variable as they are affected by a number of complex site-specific, climatic and environmental variables. These include wind-induced effects such as surface drag, drift, volatilisation, submergence by waves and beaching on the lee shore, and biological degradation. All of which need careful consideration, simultaneously, to determine (1) what monolayer material/s to use; (2) the type of application system, its estimated performance and how to spatially arrange that system on-site; and (3) what application strategy to employ. These multiple influencing factors have been studied in detail and consolidated into a ‘Universal Design Framework’ (UDF) to aid decision-making in regards to the above, during planning, design and installation of a monolayer-based evaporation mitigation system.