Irrigation systems, irrigation components and related methods

A separator for use in an irrigation system having a length of pipe and at least one sprinkler, the separator comprising:

• a housing defining an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet;
• a screen dividing an interior space defined by the housing into a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first outlet is associated with the first zone and the second outlet is associated with the second zone;
• a valve in fluid communication with the first outlet;
• and
• a dispersing structure in fluid communication with the second outlet, wherein the dispersing structure includes an outlet nozzle exhibiting a substantially elliptical or oval geometry.

A method of operating an irrigation system, the method comprising:

• providing at least one irrigation span including a pipe and at least one sprinkler;
• flowing water containing debris through the pipe such that at least some debris passes downstream from the at least one sprinkler;
• passing at least some water and the at least some debris into a separator;
• passing debris that enters into the separator and that is a defined size or smaller from a first zone of the separator, through openings of a screen to a second zone of the separator and out an outlet nozzle that is approximately the same size as, or larger than, the openings of the screen;
• retaining debris that enters into the separator and that is greater than the defined size within the first zone of the separator;
• and
• periodically purging the first zone of the separator.