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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Wooster, Ohio » Application Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #93240
Title: EVALUATION OF PNEUMATIC SHIELDED SPRAYING SYSTEM USING SIMULATION

Author
item TSAY, J - OSU/OARDC
item OZKAN, H - OSU/OARDC
item Brazee, Ross
item Fox, Robert
item Derksen, Richard

Submitted to: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Shielding spray booms is one recommended strategy for reducing spray drift. Even though many studies pertaining to mechanical shields have shown positive effect on reducing spray drift, little information about the use of pneumatic shields is available. In this study, the design of pneumatic shielded spraying systems was evaluated by using a computational fluid dynamic software package, FLUENT. Simulated pneumatic shield designs were rated on the basis of drift reduction. For purpose of relative comparisons, conventional spraying using nozzles, air-assisted spraying and air-shear spraying were also included in the analysis. Results of this study indicate that not all simulated cases of pneumatic shielded spraying provided better drift control. To ensure a better reduction and reduce the power required for pneumatic shielded spraying, the optimal operating parameters for the dominant variables appeared to be jet velocity of 40 m/s, jet flow rate of 1.7 m3/s/m, and jet angle of 15 degrees. The optimal operating parameters obtained from a multifactor analysis of variance conforms with some previous studies about air-assisted spraying and air-shear spraying. Except for air- assisted spraying and pseudo air-shear spraying, pneumatic shielded spraying with proper operating settings might be a promising alternative to reduce spray drift.