ARS | Publication request: Comparison of drift potentials between air induction and conventional nozzles.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 28, 2007
Publication Date: February 28, 2008
Citation: Zhu, H. 2008. Comparison of drift potentials between air induction and conventional nozzles. Meeting Abstract.Available: http://www.tpsalliance.org/conference/papers/PapersB_Zhu_Drift%20Potentials.pdf

Technical Abstract: Use of air induction nozzles to control spray drift has been commonly recommended by certain nozzle manufacturers and scientists. However, air induction nozzles and conventional nozzles have been unfairly compared for drift reduction potentials because all comparisons are not based on the equivalent orifice size under the same flow rate condition. In this research, spray drift potential, spray coverage, droplet size, and spray pattern width for various sizes of air induction and conventional flat fan nozzles with equivalent orifice areas were investigated and compared under the laboratory conditions. With the equivalent nominal flow rate, air induction nozzles had approximately 2.1 to 2.75 times larger exit orifice areas than the conventional nozzles. With the equivalent orifice area and equal liquid flow rate, drift reduction potential and spray characteristics of air induction nozzles could be economically achieved with widely available conventional nozzles operated at reduced pressures. It is essential to have a strong pesticide education program to teach applicators how to choose proper spray nozzles and techniques to minimize spray drift potentials.