Air Induction Research Articles

Motion model for describing the quantity of air in droplets through changing the structure of air induction nozzle

Motion model for describing the quantity of air in droplets through changing the structure of air induction nozzle

PERFORMANCE OF AIR INDUCTION SPRAY NOZZLE MODELS UNDER DIFFERENT OPERATING CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT For the successful application of phytosanitary products, it is essential to understand the spraying process well. The present work aims to evaluate the spectrum and speed of the droplets produced by different spray nozzle models with air induction, working under different operating conditions. The experiment was conducted using an entirely randomized design with five repetitions in a 3 × 3 × 3 factor scheme that incorporates three nozzle models (ADIA, AIXR, and GA), three nominal flows (0.76, 1.14, and 1.51 L min−1), and three operating pressures (200, 300, and 400 kPa). The spectrum and speed of the droplets were determined directly using a real-time droplet analyzer based on high-resolution image analysis. The spray nozzle model interfered with the results. The ADIA promoted Dv0.5 (VMD) higher than AIXR and GA, reaching differences of up to 90%. The increase in pressure promoted a reduction in the droplet size; however, there was no well-defined behavior for the relationship between the flow rate and droplet size. The ADIA and AIXR gave rise to greater uniformity of the droplets in most of the evaluated conditions. The increase in pressure promoted an increase in the speed of the droplets. However, the effect of the nozzle model on this parameter was dependent on the flow.

Air Filter and Selected Vehicle Characteristics

While a vehicle is driving, the air filter is gradually being clogged. Thus, there is a condition for air mass delivered into the engine’s cylinders to be reduced. It can further degrade the vehicle’s ability to accelerate and, therefore, have an impact on road driving safety, or it can eventually make a vehicle performance worse or cause a change in the exhaust gas composition. The article pays attention to the impact of clogged air filter on selected vehicle characteristics including a vehicle’s dynamic features, fuel consumption and composition of the exhaust gases. The measurements have been performed under laboratory conditions. For higher result objectivity, the measurements have been done under some extreme conditions as well, with both the air filter fully clogged and forced air induction. The importance of the article lies in quantification of the impact of clogged air filter on selected vehicle features. The results from this article show a relatively low impact of air filter on the features studied. The biggest differences were measured under extreme conditions when the air filter had been almost fully clogged, or the air had been delivered into the engine under pressure.

Physicochemical properties, droplet size and volatility of dicamba with herbicides and adjuvants on tank-mixture

The adoption of dicamba-tolerant soybean varieties has increased the concern and demand for new drift and volatility reduction technologies. Potential spray nozzles and adjuvants should be studied to determine its effects on drift and volatility of dicamba tank-mixtures. The objective of this study was to evaluate physicochemical characteristics of spray solutions containing dicamba; to analyze droplet size effect with air induction nozzles; and to assess dicamba volatilization on soybean plants with a proposed methodology. Treatments included dicamba only and mixtures with herbicides and adjuvants. Dicamba mixed with lecithin + methyl soybean oil + ethoxylated alcohol adjuvant had the greatest efficacy potential among treatments considering tank-mixture pH, surface tension, contact angle and droplet size. The MUG11003 nozzle produced the coarsest droplet size and was better suited for drift management among nozzle types. The proposed volatilization methodology successfully indicated dicamba volatilization in exposed soybean plants and among the evaluated treatments, it showed greater volatilization for dicamba with glyphosate + lecithin + propionic acid adjuvant.

The Use of Air Induction Nozzles for Application of Fertilizing Preparations Containing Beneficial Microorganisms

The work presents the structure and characteristics of field sprayer nozzles, as well as their impact on the survival of beneficial organisms in the selected fertilizing preparations. EŻK and EŻKT nozzles, (EŻK and EŻKT are trade names of single and twin jet air induction nozzles, respectively), that are available on the market have shown low efficiency in the discussed characteristics. Survival of microorganisms under initial conditions at 13.6 × 106 cfu/mL and pressure of 0 MPa, under critical conditions dropped to 1.7 × 106 cfu/mL for EŻK02 and 1.2 × 106 cfu/mL for EŻKT02, in both variants at a pressure of 0.5 MPa. When increasing the flow rate of the components, i.e., the size of the outlet orifices, it was observed that the survival of microorganisms increased by about 11.3% compared to the previously tested component. This resulted from the negative impact of the following: the pressure generated by the application device, number of outlet orifices, and size of an outlet orifice. The results of survival of microorganisms are given in the colony-forming unit (CFU). In addition to providing guidelines useful in the creation of a prototype sprayer intended for use in the application of microbiological preparations, the presented characteristics are a source of information for the end user as regards the proper conditions for the application of these preparations.

EFFECT OF NOZZLE TYPE AND SOME LOCALLY USED SURFACTANTS ON THE SPRAY QUALITY

This study was aimed to compare two spreading agents (Tween 20 (T) and dishwashing detergent (D)) which are commonly used in agricultural researches in Iraq and sometimes are used by the local spray applicators. Moreover, the universalflat fan nozzle (UNI) was compared with the air induction nozzle (AI) concerning the quality of the spray produced. The treatments included three concentrations (1.0%; 0.1% and 0.01% vol /vol %) of each spreading material beside the control treatment (water only). Spray quality was evaluated by using the water sensitive papers (WSP), and DepositScan software was used to analyze the scanned photos of WSP. Theevaluated parameters related to the spray quality included: spray coverage (%); spray density (Deposits/cm²); average droplet diameter (DV.5) and deposition of droplets (µL/cm²). Moreover, the penetration rate was also calculated by comparing the deposition quantity between two levels of WSP on the plant canopy (upper and middle level) while the deposition which reached the ground was considered as losses rate. The results have shown that adding Tween 20 spreading agent to the spray solution has produced more deposits per square centimeter and more penetration rate of spray inside the plants canopy than the detergent and control. Moreover, the UNI type nozzle produced higher coverage percentage and number of deposits per square centimeter than AI nozzle.

Spray nozzle performance on wheat

Fungal diseases in wheat crops (Triticum aestivum) cause significant yield and quality grain losses worldwide. The increase in the crop production area under no-tillage and environmental changes has favored residue-borne fungal survival and, therefore, disease development. Field trials were carried out at the beginning of anthesis on wheat crops (state z61), in order to evaluate different spray nozzle performance. The test was arranged in a 4x2 factorial design with ten repetitions. Factors consisted in four nozzles: flat-fan (XR11002), air induction asymmetrical dual flat-fan (AI3070-02), air induction symmetrical dual flat-fan (GAT11002), hollow cone (TXA8002), and two artificial targets, one vertical and another horizontal related to head and flag leaf location, respectively. Water-sensitive cards and CIR 1.5® software were used to determine droplet density (DD), coverage, and deposition. The latter was contrasted using Brilliant Blue tracer. Data were subjected to anova and means were compared by Tukey test (p≤0,05). The use of fine droplets and multiple directions such as TXA8002 increases coverage and deposition in the vertical and horizontal target, under optimum environmental conditions. The methodologies used to evaluate spraying performance are complementary to completely characterize the application parameters.

Comparison of spray nozzles in terms of spray coverage and drop distribution uniformity at low volume

This study was conducted to compare the spray coverage rate and spray uniformity of seven different types of hydraulic nozzles standard flat fan nozzles, ST; multirange nozzles, LU; air induction nozzles, IDK; twinjet air-induction nozzles, IDKT; narrow cone-angle standard nozzles, STD; hollow cone nozzles, DC; and antidrift nozzles, AD commonly used in pesticide applications at low application volumes. All spray applications were carried out at a constant operating pressure of 300 kPa and a low application volume of 80 L/ha. The experiments were carried out in a closed facility under controlled conditions. Spray applications were carried out with the aid of a 12-m-long linear, automatic speed-controlled spray simulator. Water-sensitive paper was used for drop sampling. The greatest spray coverage was achieved in LU nozzles and they were followed by DC and ST nozzles. The lowest spray coverage was observed in IDKT nozzles. Increasing spray coverage rates were observed with decreasing spray heights. Increasing coverage rates were also observed with decreasing forward speeds. Regarding spray uniformity, the lowest mean coefficient of variation CV was obtained from AD, IDK, and IDKT nozzles producing medium and coarse droplets. It was concluded based on the present findings that the spray height should be reduced to increase spray uniformity. ST, AD, and IDK nozzles have to be selected with greater forward speed in order to increase spray uniformity. However, in LU and DC nozzles, the lowest CV was obtained at low forward speeds.

Evaluation of performances of different types of spray nozzles in site-specific pesticide spraying

In recent years, site-specific spraying methods, which are capable of combining the image processing technologies with electronic and information technologies, have been started to be used in the weed control and target-oriented spraying. In this study, in addition to the site-specific spraying in laboratory conditions; a mobile spraying system, which can also perform broadcast application as a reference method, was set up. The spraying performance of the mobile system was tested for three different nozzle types (standard flat fan nozzle, cone nozzle, air induction nozzle) and at speeds of 0.48, 0.60, 0.72 and 0.84 km h-1. The mobile system was operated as both broadcast and site-specific for each nozzle type and travel speed. Three artificial weed samples were used at 75 cm intervals as sampling surfaces on the movement of the mobile system in the spraying operations; filter papers (FP) and water-sensitive papers (WSP) were placed behind them on the bars. While deposition values were measured with the filter papers, water-sensitive papers were used to measure the coverage rates. The spray distribution of the site-specific method in comparison with the reference method was investigated. According to the results, site-specific spraying applications did not cause any negative impact on depositions and coverage rates. The nearest results compared with the broadcast spraying were obtained with the air induction nozzle type at a speed of 0.48 km h-1 with a 60.5% deposition amount and 95.9% coverage rate.

종합병원 진료부의 공조기 외기도입율과 실간차압 변화에 따른 감염균수 분석

The outpatient department of General Hospital A was selected as the study building, and the particle count of infectious microbes was analyzed according to the three outdoor air induction ratios. In the recirculation mode (OAir: 0%), the numbers of infectious microbe particles in the waiting room and examining room were not reduced by the direction of indoor airflow and recirculation. In the general air-conditioning method (OAir: 30%), the reduction in the numbers of infectious microbe particles in the waiting and examining rooms were slow due to lack of ventilation and congestion of indoor airflow, and slightly affected the doctor’s office through the corridor. In the case of 100% outdoor air system (OAir: 100%), the number of infectious microbe particles was reduced rapidly compared with the cases of recirculation and general air-conditioning, and it was shown to be suitable for preventing airborne infectious microbe diffusion. When the waiting room pressure was adjusted to -1.5pa based on the general air-conditioning method, airflow merged from the examining room toward the waiting room, increasing the number of infectious microbe particles in the waiting room but not leading to external diffusion and intra-diffusion. When the examination room pressure was –1.5pa, airflow was stagnated in the direction of the corridor or the nursing desk instead of air being induced from the waiting room to the examination room, which was not suitable for indoor airflow induction.

Analysis of the Influence of Different Parameters on Droplet Characteristics and Droplet Size Classification Categories for Air Induction Nozzle

Droplet characteristics are identified as essential factors in agricultural spray application. The aims of this study were to analyse the influence of spray parameters on droplet characteristics and to determine possible candidate sprays that would produce the same droplet size categorizations as the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) standard S-572.1 for air induction nozzles (AINs). Six different orifice sizes of the Billericay Farm Services (BFS) air induction (AI) flat fan hydraulic nozzles (the air bubblejet) were examined at different spray pressures (200 kPa, 300 kPa, 400 kPa, 500 kPa, 600 kPa and 700 kPa) and concurrent air velocities (2 m/s, 3 m/s, 4 m/s and 5 m/s). The influences of spray parameters on the droplet characteristics were analysed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that: (1) The values of droplet characteristics and the results of ANOVA were significantly different before and after eliminate the influence of dynamic surface tension (DST) on droplet characteristics by ANCOVA; (2) (a) the reduction rates of the droplet diameter sizes decreased with increasing spray pressure; (b) air velocities of 2 m/s and 5 m/s resulted in smaller droplets reports, and air velocities of 3 m/s and 4 m/s are more suitable for agricultural spray applications; (c) a larger nozzle orifice size not always result in a larger droplet size and (3) Fine, Medium, Coarse, Very Coarse and Extremely Coarse droplet classification categories as the ASABE S-572.1 standard categorizations were determined to classify AINs.

Spray nozzles and droplet size effects on soybean canopy deposits and stink bugs control in west region of São Paulo state - Brazil

Stink bugs are one of the most relevant pest affecting soybean yields beyond the physiological and sanitary quality of the soybean seeds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of spray nozzles and droplet size on spray deposits into soybean canopy and the biological efficacy of insecticide used to control stink bugs. Field experiments were conducted at the Sao Paulo State University, Brazil, comparing the effects of spray nozzles: hollow cone TXA 8002 VK (very fine droplet), extended range flat fan XR 8003 (fine/medium droplet), twin flat fan TTJ 6011002 (medium droplet), air induction flat fan AIXR 110025 (very/extremely coarse droplet) and drift guard twin flat fan DGTJ 11002 (fine droplet) using for all treatments an application rate of 218 L ha−1. Spray deposits on soybean leaves taken from the bottom, middle and top canopy tiers were quantified with insecticide associated with Brilliant Blue dye. In general, the amount of spray deposits on soybean canopy had little difference regardless the spray nozzle type. The mortality of stink bugs shows no significant difference regardless the spray nozzle type on the treatments applied insecticide. The stink bugs provide reduction on soybean yield on the treatment only without insecticide application.

Numerical Study on Influence of Hydrofoil Clearance Towards Total Drag Reduction on Winged Air Induction Pipe for Air Lubrication

Numerical Study on Influence of Hydrofoil Clearance Towards Total Drag Reduction on Winged Air Induction Pipe for Air Lubrication

Spray nozzles, working pressures and use of adjuvant in reduction of 2,4-D herbicide spray drift

Background: The study of the interactions between equipment, application methods, and spray mixtures is fundamental to optimize the application of pesticides. The determination of the best combination of these factors can reduce the drift during the application of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Objective: The objective this paper is to study the influence of nozzle models, working pressures, and surfactant adjuvant in reducing the drift of 2,4-D. Methods: The spectrum of nozzle drops was determined for a conventional flat jet; flat jet with air induction; double plane jet with air induction; deflector flat jet with air induction; and an empty cone with air induction at pressures of 200, 300, 400, and 500 kPa. This was quantified in a wind tunnel with four drifts: water; water + surfactant adjuvant; water + 2,4-D; and water + 2,4-D + surfactant adjuvant, applied by the five nozzle models at four working pressures. The data was evaluated by analysis of variance and, when significant, by the Tukey test and regression at 5% significance level. Results: The interactions between the nozzle models, working pressure, and spray mixture directly influenced the 2,4-D drift. Conclusions: The use of surfactant adjuvant must be carried out carefully, according to the nozzle model, working pressure, and spray mixture. The conventional single fan jet nozzle is more sensitive to increased working pressure and has a high potential to cause drift compared with the models with air induction.

Effect of Aging on Structure and Properties of a Transformation-Induced Plasticity-Aided High-Manganese Steel

This paper reports the results of investigation on 0.1C-17Mn-5.5Ni-1.8Al-2.7W-4.6Mo-2.3Cu-0.002B steel designed to assume excellent combination of strength and toughness. The air induction melted steel was subjected to hot forging at 1200 °C followed by hot rolling in six passes from 1100 °C. The rolled samples were reheat-quenched from 1050 °C in iced water. The quenched samples were isochronally aged at temperatures within 500-650 °C at interval of 50 °C. The mechanical properties were determined by hardness measurement and tensile testing. Structural characterization was accomplished by x-ray diffraction, optical and electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetric study was conducted to understand the precipitation kinetics. A typical age-hardening behavior was noted in the aged samples due to the precipitation of M2C and Ni3Al. Strain hardening of martensite, precipitation hardening due to the presence of nanosized precipitates and Orowan hardening were found to be instrumental in attaining a maximum hardness of 723 HV. The microstructure of aged samples consists of retained austenite, e-martensite, α′-martensite and uniformly distributed nanosized precipitates of Ni3Al and M2C, lying broadly within two different size regimes. The sample peak aged at 550 °C attained a strength of 1.4 GPa at a total elongation value of 25%. The combination of high strength and high ductility has resulted from precipitation strengthening, TRIP phenomenon and high degree of structural fineness.

Development of droplet characteristics prediction models for air induction nozzles based on wind tunnel tests

Nozzle flowrate and spray pressure are two of the most important factors influencing on droplet characteristics. With the aim to develop prediction models for air-induction nozzles (AINs), a series of Billericay Farm Services (BFS) AINs with different orifice diameters in combination with tap water were tested. 0.2 MPa, 0.3 MPa, 0.4 MPa, 0.5 MPa, 0.6 MPa and 0.7 MPa of spray pressures and 2 m/s, 3 m/s, 4 m/s and 5 m/s of air speeds were setup. Based on the wind tunnel tests data, prediction models with input variables of nozzle flowrate and spray pressure and output variables of Dv0.1, Dv0.5, Dv0.9, %<150 µm (proportion of spray volume contained in droplets with diameter below 150 µm), relative span (RS) and coefficient of variation (CV) of Dv0.5 were developed. The developed models were validated based on wind tunnel experimental data. Results showed that: for Dv0.1, Dv0.5, Dv0.9 and %<150 µm, R2 were equal to 0.768, 0.823, 0.868 and 0.811, indicating that the predictive ability for these four parameters were strong. For RS and CV, R2 were equal to 0.100 and 0.113, respectively, indicating that the predictive ability for these two parameters were poor. The models developed in the present study are helpful for facilitating the use of AIN in agricultural spray application. Keywords: prediction model, agricultural spray application, droplet characteristics, AIN, laser diffraction DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191206.5014 Citation: Liao J, Hewitt A J, Wang P, Luo X W, Zang Y, Zhou Z Y, et al. Development of droplet characteristics prediction models for air induction nozzles based on wind tunnel tests. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(6): 1–6.

Spraying deposits using different nozzles and application volumes for pest management of cotton at reproductive stage

With the growing need for greater operational capacity, information about the effect of application volume and spray nozzles on the quality of pesticide application are essential to obtain greater efficiency in pest management in cotton crops. This study aimed to assess the effect of the spraying volume and nozzles on the deposition of spray solution on cotton crops at the reproductive stage. The treatments of the first experiment correspond to the 55, 67, 140 and 194 L ha-1 volumes obtained by variation of the displacement speed using the XR11004 flat fan nozzle. In the second assay the treatments corresponded to the applications of MGA9004 (hollow cone), XR11004 (flat fan), AIXR11004 (air induction flat fan) and CVIA04 (air induction hollow cone) nozzles with 120 L ha-1. An artificial brilliant blue food dye (FD&amp;C 1) was used as a tracer (2.5 g L-1) to determine the deposited volumes on the leaves of the upper, middle and lower third of cotton plants. The results showed that increase in the application volume contributed to obtain the larger deposits in the upper third of the cotton crop during its reproductive phase, especially up to 140 L ha-1, but did not exhibit a significant increase of the deposition in the middle and lower thirds of the plants. The MGA9004, XR11004 and AIXR11004 nozzles provided the largest deposits in the three plant sectors. The flat fan nozzles resulted in greater uniformity of deposits in the upper and middle thirds of the plants.

Inlet extensions for wind towers to improve natural ventilation in buildings

For centuries Wind Towers, also known as Windcatchers, have been used in hot and arid regions to naturally ventilate buildings. This study presents a solution to one problem of their functioning. It is known that at the top of the structure of the traditional wind tower there is a low-pressure zone, caused by boundary layer separation. This low-pressure zone is directly on top of the inlet opening, which has a much higher pressure. The proximity of this to key areas creates an ascending stream that forces the air out of the wind tower inlet opening. Inlet extensions are proposed in this work to force the air towards the inlet and to isolate the high-pressure zone from the low-pressure on top of the tower. Using CFD, 28 different designs of inlet extension have been tested. The results show that the great majority of designs increased air induction to the building by reducing to a minimum the ascending currents from inside the inlet opening to the outside of the towers. However, some of the designs tested formed vortexes inside the inlet openings that prevented the tower from getting more air induction. The present work can serve as a guide to what to do, and what not to do when designing a new wind tower, or when retrofitting an old one with inlet extensions.

Coverage and drift potential associated with nozzle and speed selection for herbicide applications using an unmanned aerial sprayer

AbstractIn recent years, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has expanded to include UAV sprayers capable of applying pesticides. Very little research has been conducted to optimize application parameters and measure the potential of off-target movement from UAV-based pesticide applications. Field experiments were conducted in Raleigh, NC during spring 2018 to characterize the effect of different application speeds and nozzle types on target area coverage and uniformity of UAV applications. The highest coverage was achieved with an application speed of 1 m s−1 and ranged from 30% to 60%, whereas applications at 7 m s−1 yielded 13% to 22% coverage. Coverage consistently decreased as application speed increased across all nozzles, with extended-range flat-spray nozzles declining at a faster rate than air-induction nozzles, likely due to higher drift. Experiments measuring the drift potential of UAV-applied pesticides using extended-range flat spray, air-induction flat-spray, turbo air–induction flat-spray, and hollow-cone nozzles under 0, 2, 4, 7, and 9 m s−1 perpendicular wind conditions in the immediate 1.75 m above the target were conducted in the absence of natural wind. Off-target movement was observed under all perpendicular wind conditions with all nozzles tested but was nondetectable beyond 5 m away from the target. Coverage from all nozzles exhibited a concave-shaped curve in response to the increasing perpendicular wind speed due to turbulence. The maximum target coverage in drift studies was observed when the perpendicular wind was 0 and 8.94 m s−1, but higher turbulence at the two highest perpendicular wind speeds (6.71 and 8.94 m s−1) increased coverage variability, whereas the lowest variability was observed at 2.24 m s−1 wind speed. Results suggested that air-induction flat-spray and turbo air–induction flat-spray nozzles and an application speed of 3 m s−1 provided an adequate coverage of target areas while minimizing off-target movement risk.

Study of combined effect of zirconium and titanium on microstructure and mechanical properties of micro-alloyed cast steels

Aim of the present work is to study the influence of zirconium as well as titanium in combinations on the microstructures and mechanical properties of low carbon micro-alloyed cast steels and to compare with non micro-alloyed low carbon steels. The quantum of research work on the zirconium bearing micro-alloyed steels with respect to grain refinement and mechanical properties is scanty. The micro-alloyed steels with 0.05 wt% to 0.10 wt% Zr and Ti were melted by a conventional air induction melting furnace and they were further subjected to normalizing at a temperature of 1000 °C for 1 h followed by cooling in atmospheric air. The metallurgical properties of the heat treated samples were observed by optical microscope and TEM. It is observed that steel with Zr and Ti shows the presence of acicular ferrite with a very fine grain size of around 5–10 microns as compared to the non micro-alloyed steel. In addition, the inter-lamellar spacing of pearlite as well as presence of intermetallic compounds were seen clearly in the heat treated samples by TEM. It is also observed that the presence of precipitates accounts for the improvement of strength and toughness of steels containing micro alloying content in the heat treated condition. The steel with 0.1 wt% Zr + 0.1 wt% Ti content showed tensile strength with nearly two times higher in comparison to steel without micro alloy addition in steel. However the elongation of both steels is almost equal (percentage of elongation is found to be around 36%). This can be attributed due to the presence of zirconium carbo-nitrides causing the formation of fine grains in steel with Zr and Ti contents.