Spray Adjuvant Effects on Droplet Size Spectra Measured by Three Laser-Based Systems in a High-Speed Wind Tunnel

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 101233 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Clint Hoffmann ◽  
A. J. Hewitt ◽  
J. B. Ross ◽  
W. E. Bagley ◽  
D. E. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Size Spectra ◽  
Adjuvant Effects

Influence of Airspeed and Adjuvants on Droplet Size Distribution in Aerial Applications of Glyphosate

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno C Vieira ◽  
Guilherme S Alves ◽  
Fernando K Carvalho ◽  
João Paulo AR Da Cunha ◽  
Ulisses R Antuniassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Laser Diffraction ◽  
Flight Speed ◽  
Central Research ◽  
Operating Pressure ◽  
Size Spectra

Abstract. Drift is one of the most hazardous consequences of an improper aerial application of glyphosate. Wind, droplet size, application height, and distance to sensitive areas are the most important factors for drift. Droplet size is affected by nozzle, operating pressure, flight speed, deflection angle, and physicochemical properties of the spray solution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of flight speed and the use of adjuvants on droplet size spectra in aerial applications of glyphosate. The study was conducted in a high-speed wind tunnel at the Pesticide Application Technology Laboratory (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte, Neb.). Aerial applications were simulated with four different airspeeds (44.4, 52.8, 61.1, and 69.4 m/s) and glyphosate combined with adjuvants (high surfactant oil concentrate, microemulsion drift reduction agent, nonionic and acidifier surfactant, polyvinyl polymer, and glyphosate alone). Droplet size spectra were evaluated using a Sympatec Helos laser diffraction instrument measuring 90 cm from the nozzle tip (CP11-4015). The volumetric droplet size distribution parameters (VMD, DV0.1, and DV0.9) and the percentage of droplets smaller than 100 µm were reported. The relative span was calculated to indicate the droplet size homogeneity [(DV0.9 - DV0.1) / DV0.5]. Glyphosate solutions with adjuvants had a larger VMD than the glyphosate alone solution at 44.4 m/s wind speed. At 69.4 m/s only the glyphosate solution with polymer had a larger VMD. Conversely, the glyphosate with polymer had the smallest DV0.1, and the greatest relative span and percentage of droplets smaller than 100 µm. Generally, adjuvants influence on droplet size was diminished or muted as the airspeed was increased. The polymer tested in this study failed as a drift agent reduction agent, especially at higher airspeeds. While not all polymers were tested, cautions should be taken if using these types of adjuvants in aerial applications. The interaction of airspeed and adjuvants influencing droplet size distribution in aerial applications of glyphosate should be considered by applicators in order to mitigate glyphosate drift to the surrounding environment. Further studies are necessary to better understand the interaction between solution viscosity and air shear effect on the atomization process and droplet size distribution, as well as confirm that trends hold true for other adjuvants in the polymer class. Although applicators tend to operate aircrafts with increased flight speeds in order to optimize the application time efficiency, this practice can reduce or mute adjuvants effects, decrease the droplet size distribution, and increase drift potential in aerial applications of glyphosate. Keywords: Drift reduction technologies, Flight speed, High-speed wind tunnel, Laser diffraction.

Herbicide Formulation, Spray Nozzle Design, and Operating Pressure Affects the Droplet Size Spectra of Agricultural Sprays

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua A. McGinty ◽  
Gaylon D. Morgan ◽  
Peter A. Dotray ◽  
Paul A. Baumann
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
The United States ◽  
Spray Drift ◽  
Operating Pressure ◽  
Spray Nozzle ◽  
Spray Droplet ◽  
Size Spectra ◽  
Drift Potential ◽  
Spray Droplets

Aims: Determine the droplet size spectra of agricultural sprays as affected by herbicide formulations, spray nozzle designs, and operating pressures. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in April 2014 at the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Aerial Application Technology Research Unit Facility in College Station, Texas. Methodology: The spray droplet size spectra of six herbicide formulations as well as water alone and water with nonionic surfactant were evaluated in a low-speed wind tunnel. These spray solutions were conducted with five different flat-fan spray nozzle designs, producing a wide range of spray droplet sizes. The wind tunnel was equipped with a laser diffraction sensor to analyze spray droplet size. All combinations of spray solution and nozzle were operated at 207 and 414 kPa and replicated three times. Results: Many differences in droplet size spectra were detected among the spray solutions, nozzle designs, and pressures tested. Solutions of Liberty 280 SL exhibited the smallest median droplet size and the greatest proportion of spray volume contained in droplets 100 µm or less in size.  Solutions of Enlist Duo resulted in smaller median droplet size than many of the solutions tested, but also exhibited some of the smallest production of fine spray droplets. Median droplet size was found to vary greatly among nozzle designs, with the greatest droplet size and smallest drift-prone fine droplet production observed with air-inclusion designs utilizing a pre-orifice. Increasing the operating pressure from 207 to 414 kPa resulted in a decrease in median droplet size and an increase in the production of droplets 100 µm or less in size. Conclusion: Herbicide formulations and spray nozzle designs tested varied widely in droplet size spectra and thus the potential for spray drift. Increasing operating pressure resulted in decreased droplet size and an increase in the production of drift-prone droplets. Additionally, median droplet size alone should not be used to compare spray drift potential among spray solutions but should include relative span and V100 values to better predict the potential for spray drift due to drift-prone spray droplets.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Aerial Spray Technologies for Adult Mosquito Control Applications

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley Clint Hoffmann ◽  
Bradley Keith Fritz ◽  
Muhammad Farooq ◽  
Todd William Walker ◽  
Zbigniew Czaczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Laser Diffraction ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Adult Mosquito ◽  
Size Spectrum ◽  
Spray Droplet

Abstract Spray droplet size has long been recognized as an important variable that applicators of vector control sprays must be aware of to make the most effective spray applications. Researchers and applicators have several different techniques available to assess spray droplet size from spray nozzles. The objective of this study was to compare the droplet size spectrum produced by three nozzles commonly used in vector control in a high-speed wind tunnel, when characterized using three different laser-based droplet size measurement systems. Three droplet sizing systems: Malvern Spraytec laser diffraction, Sympatec HELOS laser diffraction, and TSI Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer (PDPA), were simultaneously operated, but under different operating conditions, to measure the spray droplet size-spectra for three spray nozzles. The three atomizers: a TeeJet® 8001E even flat fan nozzle, a BETE® PJ high pressure fog nozzles, and a Micronair ® AU5000 rotary atomizer were evaluated in a high speed wind tunnel at airspeeds of 53 and 62 m/s (120 and 140 mph). Based on the results of this work, only the BETE® PJ high pressure fog nozzles met the label requirements for both Fyfanon® and Anvil®. While the other nozzle might met the Dv0.5 (VMD - volume median diameter) requirement for Fyfanon®, the resulting Dv0.9 values exceeded labeled size restrictions. When applying Anvil with the BETE PJ high pressure fog nozzles, it is important to use the smaller two orifice sizes. The larger sizes tended to result in Dv0.9 values that exceeded label recommendations

MODELING DROPLET SIZE DISTRIBUTION NEAR A NOZZLE OUTLET IN AN ICING WIND TUNNEL

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 673-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laszlo E. Kollar ◽  
Masoud Farzaneh ◽  
Anatolij R. Karev
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Nozzle Outlet

Drop Size Spectra from Nozzles in High-Speed Airstreams

1985 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley E. Yates ◽  
Robert E. Cowden ◽  
Norman B. Akesson
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Size Spectra
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