Spray Nozzle Selection and Operation · Spray Nozzle Selection and Operation . Dan Martin . USDA ARS . Aerial Application Technology Group . College Station, Texas . Why the Concern?

Spray Nozzle Selection and Operation

Dan Martin USDA ARS

Aerial Application Technology Group College Station, Texas

Why the Concern?

• Application rate is on the label

• Application rate can affect coverage and efficacy

• Droplet spectrum can affect efficacy and drift potential

Optimum Droplet Spectrum for Various Pesticide Classes

How to Calculate Flowrate

• You know the effective swath of your plane.

• You know the speed you want to fly.

• You know the application rate.

• From this, we can calculate total flowrate and the number of nozzles needed.

How to Calculate Flowrate

How to Calculate Flowrate

• Now we need to calculate the flowrate per nozzle

• Assume we have 45 nozzles

How to Calculate Flowrate

How to Select Orifice and Pressure

How to Select Orifice and Pressure

www.cpproductsinc.com

How to Select Orifice and Pressure

How to Select Orifice and Pressure

How to Select Orifice and Pressure

How to Determine Spray Quality

How to Determine Spray Quality

How to Determine Spray Quality

How to Determine Spray Quality

How to Determine Spray Quality

Let’s Change Airspeed

Total Boom Output Flowrate (GPM) =

Application Rate(GPA) x Swath Width(ft) x Speed(MPH)495

2 𝐺𝐺𝐺 𝑥 65 𝑓𝑓 𝑥 140 𝑀𝐺𝑀

495

Re-Calculate Flowrate

Re-Calculating Flowrate

Selecting Orifice and Pressure

Selecting Orifice and Pressure

Determining Spray Quality

Determining Spray Quality

Determining Spray Quality

Determining Spray Quality

How to Determine Spray Quality

Determining Spray Quality

Determining Spray Quality

Determining Spray Quality

Determining Spray Quality

Take Home

• Flowrate and Droplet Spectrum are important to your equipment setup.

• Using readily available online tools, they can be optimized for your operation.

• They can affect deposition, efficacy and drift potential.

Take Home

• Consider creating a reference document for pilots and loaders that highlights equipment setups.

Take Home

Rate (GPA) DSC Nozzle Deflection (º)

Speed (MPH)

Orifice Pressure (PSI)

2.0 Fine CP-11TT 45 145 #8 35

2.0 Medium CP-11TT 15 145 #8 35

2.0 Coarse CP-11TT 0 145 #8 35

What to look for

Questions?

39