Evaluation of the Spray Droplet Size Spectra of Drift-reducing Agricultural Spray Nozzle Designs
Joshua A. McGinty, Paul A. Baumann, Wesley C. Hoffmann, Bradley K. Fritz
Journal of Experimental Agriculture International · pp. 1–5 · Published 8 Feb 2016
10.9734/AJEA/2016/23785Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the spray droplet size spectra of several different agricultural spray nozzles using laser diffraction technology. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service Aerial Application Technology Research Unit facility in College Station, Texas during April 2014. Methodology: The spray droplet size spectra of five agricultural spray nozzles utilizing different designs were evaluated in a low-speed wind tunnel. These designs included standard flat-fan, pre-orifice, and air-induction designs. This wind tunnel was equipped with a laser diffraction sensor to analyze spray droplet diameters. A solution of 0.25% v/v nonionic surfactant in water was used to simulate the solution characteristics of many pesticide sprays. Results: Due to the precision of the droplet sizing equipment, many significant differences in droplet size spectra were detected among all nozzle designs. Increases in median droplet diameters as great as 265% were observed between drift reducing nozzles and standard flat-fan nozzles. Additionally, decreases in the production of drift-prone droplets (≤ 100 μm in diameter) as great as 97.3% were observed with the use of drift reducing designs. Conclusion: Nozzle designs that utilized a pre-orifice resulting in larger median droplet diameters and fewer droplets of very small diameter. Additional reductions in spray drift potential were achieved with nozzles that utilized an air induction design in conjunction with a pre-orifice.
Cited by 18
Zhi-Dong Wu, Chen-Ming Liu, Chuang Li · Polish Journal of Environmental Studies · 2025
Yong-Chun He, Jian-Jian Wu, Hao Fu · Water · 2022
J. P. A. Rodrigues da Cunha, C. B. de Alvarenga, P. Rinaldi · 2021
J. Liao, Xiwen Luo, Pei Wang · Agronomy · 2020
Ya-Yong Chen, C. Hou, Yu Tang · International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering · 2019
Joshua McGinty, G. Morgan, P. Dotray · Journal of Experimental Agriculture International · 2019
A. Kalsing, C. V. S. Rossi, F. Lucio · Weed technology · 2018
Jorge A. L. França, J. P. A. Rodrigues da Cunha, U. R. Antuniassi · 2018
Jorge A. L. França, J. P. A. Rodrigues da Cunha, U. R. Antuniassi · 2017
Juan Liao, Xiwen Luo, Pei Wang
Related research
- Techniques for Assessment of Vertical Spray Pattern: A Review — shares topic coverage
- Optimized Artemether-loaded Anhydrous Emulsion — shares topic coverage
- Influence of Spray Parameters of a UAV Sprayer on Droplet Size in Paddy Spraying — shares topic coverage
- Assessment of Nozzle Spray Characteristics for Agriculture Spraying — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
0
Page views
0
PDF downloads
0
Outbound clicks
18
Citations
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
No views recorded yet.
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
No traffic recorded yet.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.