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.
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.