Spraying performance of umbrella wind‐field‐type atomization and its application to parameter optimization

Abstract

BackgroundHere we designed an umbrella wind‐field‐type anti‐drift spraying device to improve droplet deposit in the fruit tree canopy, reduce spray drift between fruit tree rows, and avoid uneven droplet deposit in the canopy.ResultsWe use Computational Fluid Dynamics combined with wind field test to optimize the parameters of the anti‐drift spray device, and the results show that airflow velocity at the outlet of the device after optimization is 24.5 m/s, which is 48% higher than that before optimization (16.5 m/s) airflow velocity. We designed wind tunnel tests and field tests to analyze the anti‐drift characteristics of anti‐drift spraying device. Wind tunnel tests result showed that the side airflow velocity, outlet diameter, spray distance, and spray drift ratio were correlated. The mathematical models established by vertical and horizontal multifactor orthogonal tests were significant (P < 0.05, R2 0.947, 0.878, respectively). The results of the field tests showed that side airflow, velocity spray pressure and outlet diameter had significant effects on the droplet deposit characteristics (in descending order: the side airflow velocity, spray pressure, and outlet diameter). The maximum droplet deposit was 6.34 μL/cm2 when the side airflow velocity was 2 m/s, the spray pressure was 0.4 MPa, and the outlet diameter was 70 mm2.depositWhen the side airflow velocity exceeded 2 m/s, the outlet diameter and spray pressure had to be reduced to ensure better droplet deposit.ConclusionThe results indicated that the umbrella wind field could reduce spray drift and ineffective deposit in off‐target areas and can provide a reference for the comprehensive analysis of the spray drift deposit law.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Spray performance of flexible shield canopy opener and rotor wind integrated boom‐sprayer application in soybean: effects on droplet deposition distribution

“…In order to control droplet drift, anti-drift components are usually fitted to the sprayer. [21][22][23] The most common use of anti-drift devices is to add a shield to the sprayer. 24 It has been shown that shields provide better protection against droplet drift.…”