Thursday, January 11, 2018

Spray Drift and Drop Size Characterization

Agricultural formulations require precise droplet size and spray drift potential. The classification of the droplet size straightly defines the characterization of the agricultural pesticide, herbicide, etc which affects the crops and even the other living being around it if not spray down properly. Reputed companies are now focusing on manufacture spray nozzle and buffer zones of appropriate sizes. Generally, companies follow special rules and follow up to manufacture the equipment in an appropriate way.

All big companies in this market have their unique recipe to deal with characterizing synthetic liquid and biologically active ingredient mixture. In the USA, the environmental protection agency protocols are very much strict. Companies working in agricultural formulations need to obey such protocols. Such protocol governs the droplet size particle spray characterization. The droplet size of the formulation is crafted during designing state and often undergoes several levels of testing to ensure accurate spray characterization.

Spray Characterization


There are many parameters that can be used to characterize a spray like a droplet size, volume flux, spray angle, flow rate, operating pressure, etc. Many of these are highly critical in order to optimize a spray solution. The effectiveness of the nozzle and other sorts of material to be sprayed is greatly improved by complete acknowledge of the characteristic of the spray. Spray drift is dependent upon drop size characterization. Agricultural formulation once sprayed may diffuse to off-target location due to spray drift as well as runoff from the plants and soil. This has a severe effect on human health and environmental damage. Herbicide volatilization is one of the cases that are highly affected due to spray drift it happens due to evaporation of volatile herbicide and generally loses its intended target.

The impact of the spray drift is highly catastrophic to lives and environment. The farmers and kids playing around are the more targeted victim while wildlife and natural habitat are affected due to wind movement and soil contamination. To defend such calamity USDA and EPA are working together to make use of appropriate technology and chemical processes such as turbulence, droplet formation, droplet evaporation and soot generation by the companies. Typically, a variety of measurement techniques are employed to calculate parameters laid spray angle, spray thickness, droplet velocity, etc. Many companies operate on the principle of phase Doppler interferometry for measuring the size of the drop.

If you are unaware of the causes and proper measure spray drift, you would simply be giving rise to a cage for yourself and putting your life at stake. Research the market well and testify the spray nozzle before experimenting spray characterization. It is advisable to purchase only appropriate size spraying hydraulic nozzle. Keeping the EPA guideline in mind, companies are now more attentive in producing unified equipment for safer and healthy environment. Don’t invest money in local agricultural equipment. However, safety is in your hand don’t compromise with it. Remember you are also playing an important role in habitat so as rest of the being.