Mehrnoosh Jafari; Peyman Seyedin
Abstract
There is no unique method for evaluating different sprayer technologies. Existing methods have advantages and limitations that should be considered. The purpose of this study is to introduce a test method to evaluate the ULV sprayers that can be installed on the back of the trucks, which is often are ...
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There is no unique method for evaluating different sprayer technologies. Existing methods have advantages and limitations that should be considered. The purpose of this study is to introduce a test method to evaluate the ULV sprayers that can be installed on the back of the trucks, which is often are used to fight invading pests, especially desert locusts. The FAO minimum requirements guideline was used to provide a test method to evaluate the performance of the ULV sprayers. Droplet size, transverse distribution and spray height of three sprayer models named ULV 3, ULV 3 Plus and ULV 5 which use atomizers with different technologies, were evaluated and spraying patterns were drawn. Results indicated that the maximum working pressure was 5 Bar and the maximum flow rate was 1.83 liters per minute at the pressure of 0.5 Bar. Numerical and volumetric median diameters were measured using water-sensitive papers and were reported smaller than 30 and 60 microns, respectively. The ULV 3 Plus sprayer which uses electrical and pneumatic power had the best performance by producing droplets with a numerical median diameter of 28 µm and a volumetric median diameter of 51 µm. Due to the limitations of this evaluating method, it is suggested that new technologies such as the use of laser light scattering or high-speed cameras replace the measurement by the water sensitive papers.
