Operation Of Sprayer Research Articles

Community knowledge and acceptance of indoor residual spraying for malaria prevention in Mozambique: a qualitative study

BackgroundMalaria control remains a leading health challenge in Mozambique. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is an effective strategy to control malaria transmission, but there are often barriers to reaching the coverage necessary for attaining maximum community protective effect of IRS. Mozambique recorded a high number of household refusals during the 2016 IRS campaign. This study sought to evaluate household and community factors related to the acceptability of IRS to inform strategies for future campaigns in Mozambique and the region.MethodsA cross-sectional, qualitative study was conducted in eight urban and rural communities in two high malaria burden provinces in Mozambique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with community members, leaders, sprayers, and representatives of district health directorates; focus group discussions with community members who accepted and who refused IRS during the 2016 campaign; systematic field observations; and informal conversations. Data were systematically coded and analysed using NVIVO-11®.ResultsA total of 61 interviews and 12 discussions were conducted. Community participants predominantly described IRS as safe, but many felt that it had limited efficacy. The main factors that participants mentioned as having influenced their IRS acceptance or refusal were: understanding of IRS; community leader level of support; characteristics of IRS programmatic implementation; environmental, political and historical factors. Specifically, IRS acceptance was higher when there was perceived community solidarity through IRS acceptance, desire to reduce the insect population in homes, trust in government and community satisfaction with past IRS campaign effectiveness. Participants who refused were mainly from urban districts and were more educated. The main barriers to acceptance were associated with selection and performance of spray operators, negative experiences from previous campaigns, political-partisan conflicts, difficulty in removing heavy or numerous household assets, and preference for insecticide-treated nets over IRS.ConclusionsAcceptance of IRS was influenced by diverse operational and contextual factors. As such, future IRS communications in targeted communities should emphasize the importance of high IRS coverage for promoting both familial and community health. Additionally, clear communications and engagement with community leaders during spray operator selection and spray implementation may help reduce barriers to IRS acceptance.

Intelligent automated system based on a fuzzy logic system for plant protection product control in orchards

The spraying of plant protection product (PPP) in orchards is a very hazardous working procedure, owing to the spray drift caused by the uneven operation of conventional axial boom sprayers. This research describes an intelligent automated system for precise (PPP) distribution in real-time. It is based on an intelligent decision-making model using ultrasonic measurements of leaf area density under laboratory conditions, which serve to trigger electromagnetic valves (EMV) on the axial boom sprayer. A fuzzy logic algorithm was an integrated part of the intelligent system for controlling the PPP by generating the pulse width modulation signal and applying it through the EMV of the prototype boom sprayer. The results showed that by using an intelligent decision-making model, the same efficiency as with conventional methods could be achieved, but with reduced usage of plant protection products. Thus, the intelligent automated system used 4.8 times less spray mixture than the conventional one. Keywords: plant protection product, boom sprayer, electromagnetic valve, fuzzy logic algorithm, tree canopy DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191203.4476 Citation: Berk P, Belsak A, Stajnko D, Lakota M, Muskinja N, Hocevar M, et al. Intelligent automated system based on a fuzzy logic system for plant protection product control in orchards. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(3): 92–102.

Remote supervision of autonomous agricultural sprayers: The farmer’s perspective

The autonomous agricultural machine may soon be a reality. For it to be commercially viable, designers must also consider the design of the interface that will be used to remotely supervise the operation of the autonomous machine. Before the interface can be designed, however, it is necessary to understand the information required by the individual supervising the machine from a remote location Hence, the goal of this study was to determine the expectations of farmers regarding autonomous agricultural machines (specifically, an autonomous sprayer), and to determine the essential information that should be provided on the interface to enable the farmer to supervise the operation of an autonomous sprayer remotely. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to farmers and agriculture students attending western Canadian universities. In a follow-up study, experienced, operators were then asked to rank each parameter that was recommended from the survey using a five-point Likert scale. Findings indicated that sprayer operators are willing to accept an autonomous sprayer. However, to increase the ease of adoption, certain conditions need to be met. Parameters and features that were recommended varied in their level of importance and frequency of usage. These results will help designers minimize the chance of overcrowding the interface with irrelevant information. It will also assist designers with organization of information based on the needs of the farmer and in a way that will increase the situation awareness of the farmer.

PBTK model for assessment of operator exposure to haloxyfop using human biomonitoring and toxicokinetic data

Physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models are mathematical representations of chemical absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) in animals. Each parameter in a PBTK model describes a physiological, physicochemical or biochemical process that affects ADME. Distributions can be assigned to the model parameters to describe population variability and uncertainty. In this study to assess potential crop sprayer operator exposure to the herbicide haloxyfop, a permeability-limited PBTK model was constructed with parameter uncertainty and variability, and calibrated using Bayesian analysis via Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. A hierarchical statistical model was developed to reconstruct operator exposure using available measurement data: experimentally determined octanol/water partition coefficient, mouse and human toxicokinetic data as well as human biomonitoring data from seven operators who participated in a field study. A chemical risk assessment was performed by comparing the estimated systemic exposure to the acceptable operator exposure level (AOEL). The analysis suggested that in one of the seven operators, the model estimates systemic exposure to haloxyfop of 49.04 ± 10.19 SD μg/kg bw in relation to an AOEL of 5.0 μg/kg bw/day. This does not represent a safety concern as this predicted exposure is well within the 100-fold uncertainty factor applied to the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) in animals. In addition, given the availability of human toxicokinetic data, the 10x uncertainty factor for interspecies differences in ADME could be reduced (EFSA, 2006). Thus the AOEL could potentially be raised tenfold from 5.0 to 50.0 μg/kg bw/day.

Schlieren Visualization of Shaping Air during Operation of an Electrostatic Rotary Bell Sprayer: Impact of Shaping Air on Droplet Atomization and Transport

Electrostatic rotary bell sprayers (ERBSs) are widely used in the automotive industry. In ERBS, atomization is facilitated using centrifugal forces which disintegrate the paint film inside the cup into droplets at the cup edge. The droplets are then transported by the flow of a shaping air (SA) and electrostatic forces to a target surface; the characteristics of these droplets dramatically influence the quality of a painted surface and the painting transfer efficiency. In the current paper, a novel Schlieren-based visualization of the shaping air in the absence of paint droplets was performed during a qualitative investigation to delineate shaping air flow behavior and its interaction with droplets and droplet transport. An infrared thermographic flow visualization (IRFV) method and droplet size measurement were used to complement the Schlieren data for providing insight into shaping air-droplet interactions. The results demonstrated the impact of different operating conditions on the SA flow pattern, and the influence SA has on the secondary atomization and transport of droplets. Hence, these experimental methods combine with a useful tool for optimizing SA configurations that improve spray quality, droplet transport, and the efficiency of ERBS operations.

SPRAYER productivity the race to greater efficiency in the field

The quest to cover more acres with a sprayer in a single day is pushing some farmers and their CCAs down the path of upgrading to ever‐bigger and faster spray rigs. But to make true productivity gains, sprayer operators may want to slow down the speed and focus on improving filling and cleaning time. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Integrated Pest Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/603.

Analysis of hydrodynamic characteristics of sprays of nozzles of ICE

The automotive and tractor machinery plays an important role in technical support of agro-industrial complex at the present stage of development of agricultural production. The main energy source of these vehicles are internal combustion engines, which work is influenced highly by spraying nozzles. A comprehensive study of the qualitative indicators of their functioning allowed authors to find new practical and theoretical solutions. In the study of the hydrodynamic characteristics of spraying nozzles, a theoretical analysis was used. When replacing bayonet sprinklers in the vortex chamber diesel with multi-jet, the hydrodynamic parameters of the fuel injection process were performed. Three types of sprays were tested. The studied sprayers differ from each other in the size of a flow section, mass of a needle, the sizes and a location the holes. It causes various sizes of delivery pressure of fuel, an oscillation frequency of a needle of the sprayer and other parameters. The received calculated dependences show that with increase in a flow section with a constant residual pressure critical pressure of a wave of supply of fuel increases. So with a residual pressure of 3 MPas critical pressure of a wave makes respectively 10, 14,4, 16,7 MPas for sprays of three types. Increase in residual pressure causes increase in critical pressure of a supply wave. Due to the need of increase in critical pressure of a fuel supply wave for multiple-jet sprayers (in comparison with bayonet) we will consider influence of the nozzle spring tension pressure on the needle opening delay time. Results of calculation of delay of opening of a needle of a nozzle for bayonet and multiple-jet sprays are presented. Studies show that the size of delay of raising of a needle of a nozzle with the multiple-jet spray with a pressure of the beginning of injection Pz = 15 mpa is closest to delay size for the bayonet spray. The result revealed that the frequency of natural oscillations and their duration slightly differ from each other (no more than 5 %). Hence it can be assumed that the use of the experimental sprayers will not exert the considerable impact on operation of sprayers from the point of view of vibration characteristics.

Killing symmetry on the Finsler manifold

Symmetry and conservation law are discussed on the Finsler manifold M. We adopt the point Finsler approach, where we consider the geometry on a point manifold M not on TM. Generalized vector fields are defined on oriented curves on M, and Finsler non-linear connections are considered on M, not on the tangent space TM. Killing vector fields K are defined as generalized vector fields as , and the Killing symmetry is also reformulated simply as by using the Killing 1-form and the spray operator defined by using the non-linear connection. is related to the generalization of Killing tensors on the Finsler manifold, and our ansatz of and give an analytical method of finding higher derivative conserved quantities, which may be called hidden conserved quantities. We show two examples: the Carter constant on Kerr spacetime and the Runge–Lentz vectors in Newtonian gravity.

Evaluation of the Flow Downwind of an Agricultural Ground Sprayer Boom

<abstract> <b><sc>.</sc></b> This article analyzes flow and deposition measurements downwind of a section of a full-scale ground sprayer boom tested in a wind tunnel. The measurements include the velocity and turbulence levels generated by the presence (and absence) of the nozzle spray, in addition to nozzle spray deposition patterns. It is envisioned that a description of the turbulent structure of the tractor wake (obtained previously on a subscale tractor) and the nozzle spray, along with flow velocities in the three principal directions, can be used to provide an initial database for velocities and turbulence levels in the vicinity of a typical full-scale ground boom sprayer. The goal of this effort is to use this parameterized wake model to supplement local atmospheric and surface effects around and behind a tractor and spray boom, to better predict the behavior of spray material released from nozzles on a spray boom during actual ground sprayer operation.

Modeling and Model Validation of a Chemical Injection Sprayer System

<abstract> <b><sc>Abstract. </sc></b>Efficient control strategies can be used to avoid off-target application in the operation of variable rate application sprayers. The main processes involved in the operation of a variable rate application sprayer are the injection of chemical and its mixing with the carrier. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop mathematical models for a chemical direct injection system (DIS) including the carrier-chemical mix to assist the design and prediction of the variable rate application errors. The modeling of the DIS involves different engineering fields and is based on the physical parameters of the hydraulic and electrical-mechanical components, fluid equations and experimental procedures. The developed models for the chemical DIS were validated via a normalized root mean square error (RMSE) index using a laboratory-scale sprayer test bench built to design sprayers and analyze their performance. These models captured the realistic operation of the chemical injection system including the effect of the transport delay which is dependent on the carrier-chemical mix flow rate. Experimental results of the DIS flow rates and pressure yielded normalized RMSE values lower than 0.4 indicating that the sprayer performance can be efficiently predicted with the developed models. Additionally, experimental curve fitting results for the carrier-chemical mix time constant and transport delay parameters from step changes of the chemical and carrier-chemical flow rates yielded a statistic coefficient of determination R² close to 1 indicating that these DIS parameters can be efficiently predicted from experimental step responses.

Technology Application of Smart Spray in Agriculture: A Review

A smart spraying system in agriculture is a targeted spraying system with efficient application of chemical and low cost for the environment. A smart sprayer generally includes a targeted detection system and spraying system, in which the targeted sensor is the foundation of the precision spraying management. The detection system of a smart sprayer is used to collect information in target areas and make spraying decisions. Varieties of sensing techniques are applied, such as Machine vision, spectral reflectance, remote sensing and so on. According to the detecting results of characteristics detection, species classification, disease symptom identification and damage severity evaluation, the spraying system controls the sprayer operation. The review of application of detection techniques, challenges and limitations are summarized, the developing trend is concluded based on the analysis.

Practical Deviation in Sustainable Pesticide Application Process

Using agrochemicals becomes essential practice of modern farming but in the same time it puts risk to human, animal health and the environment. The initial actions to create balance between this negative impact and the necessity to use the pesticides concerning the environment, people's living conditions and the economic, those factors are defined as the sustainable development. In this paper the algorithm to gain the sustainability of pesticide application was set to highlight some places (during some logistic steps of pesticide application) where the sprayer operator has to make subjective decisions about the correct procedure; these decisions are subjected to the “practical deviations”. The paper presents also some results of investigation on using nozzles with different physical wear. The results of laboratory test showed that damaged nozzles produced flow rate higher than the allowed limits of nozzles inspection regulations. Also, the decision to use damaged nozzles with lower pressure to compensate the increase of flow rate, results in bigger drop sizes comparing with the new nozzles, which may affect in turn the biological efficacy and put risk of pesticide non target contamination. The decision, which is made by sprayer operator, is an example of “practical deviations” during pesticide application process.

Development of Digital Flow Control System for Multi-Channel Variable-Rate Sprayers

Abstract. Precision modulation of nozzle flow rates is a critical step for variable-rate spray applications in orchards and ornamental nurseries. An automatic flow rate control system activated with microprocessors and pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled solenoid valves was developed to control flow rates of multi-channel nozzles independently for variable-rate sprayers. The system consists of a data acquisition module, a data processing module, and a flow rate control module. An embedded computer along with a touch screen was used to process control algorithms and allowed communication between the sprayer operator and the control system. The flow rate control module was designed with multi-channel driver circuits for activating the solenoid valves and driver protection circuits for avoiding surge voltages due to frequent on/off actions of the solenoid valves. Laboratory tests were conducted to verify the accuracy of the control system with three nozzles (0.530 to 1.703 L min -1 ) at four different operating pressures (138 to 345 kPa) and ten duty cycles (10% to 100%). The microcontroller-controlled circuit precisely produced PWM signals with desired pulse widths to match the duty cycles, and linear spray outputs were achieved accurately with the duty cycles of the PWM-controlled solenoid valves. With the protection circuit for the solenoid valve drivers, the longevity of the solenoid valves increased from 350 to 2,426 h. The system offers flexibility in choosing the number of connection channels needed for the number of nozzles individually or in a group on sprayers. Accordingly, together with canopy structures and travel speeds from laser scanning or other sensors, this compact control system is capable of performing variable flow rate functions for multiple nozzles separately.

Development of two portable patternators to improve drift control and operator training in the operation of vineyard sprayers

Spray drift can be defined as the quantity of plant protection product that is carried out of the sprayed area by the action of air currents during the application process. Efficacy of pesticide applications in orchards and vineyards is highly dependent on matching the canopy characteristics with the liquid distribution on a vertical plane, this being influenced by the type of sprayer, the nozzle orientation and air outlet adjustment. Two simple vertical patternators were designed and developed with the express purpose to be used in field conditions for the adjustment of vineyard canopy sprayers. Three different orchard sprayers were selected for comparative field trials of two new patternators with an already commercially available portable vertical patternator designed at University of Turin (Italy). The objective was to evaluate their efficiency in terms of spray recovery, symmetry and repeatability. Results show the ability of the two prototypes to measure the vertical distribution of liquid, as well as the important similarities between the liquid distribution profiles obtained with both patternators in comparison to the reference one. Trials conducted with the three different orchard sprayers show the suitability of this kind of tool, not only for research purposes but also for training activities and as part of the sprayer calibration process. Important benefits from both an economic and a sustainable point of view can be obtained regarding adequate liquid distribution according to the crop characteristics, this being especially interesting in field conditions.

Reliability of plasma-sprayed coatings: monitoring the plasma spray process and improving the quality of coatings

As for every coating technology, the reliability and reproducibility of coatings are essential for the development of the plasma spraying technology in industrial manufacturing. They mainly depend on the process reliability, equipment and spray booth maintenance, operator training and certification, implementation and use of consistent production practices and standardization of coating testing. This paper deals with the first issue, that is the monitoring and control of the plasma spray process; it does not tackle the coating characterization and testing methods. It begins with a short history of coating quality improvement under plasma spray conditions over the last few decades, details the plasma spray torches used in the industry, the development of the measurements of in-flight and impacting particle parameters and then of sensors. It concludes with the process maps that describe the interrelations between the operating parameters of the spray process, in-flight particle characteristics and coating properties and with the potential of in situ monitoring of the process by artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic methods.

Detection system of smart sprayers: Status, challenges, and perspectives

A smart sprayer comprises a detection system and a chemical spraying system. In this study, the development status and challenges of the detection systems of smart sprayers are discussed along with perspectives on these technologies. The detection system of a smart sprayer is used to collect information on target areas and make spraying decisions. The spraying system controls sprayer operation. Various sensing technologies, such as machine vision, spectral analysis, and remote sensing, are used in target detection. In image processing, morphological features are employed to segment characteristics such as shape, structure, color, and pattern. In spectral analysis, the characteristics of reflectance and multispectral images are applied in crop detection. For the remote sensing application, vegetation indices and hyperspectral images are used to provide information on crop management. Other sensors, such as thermography, ultrasonic, laser, and X-ray sensors, are also used in the detection system and mentioned in the review. On the basis of this review, challenges and perspectives are suggested. The findings of this study may aid the understanding of smart sprayer systems and provide

Spray Classification for Selected Flat Fan Nozzles

The flat fan nozzles made by Mikolajczak Agro Technology Company (MMAT) (standard RS, and pre-orifice AZ), in the ISO sizes of: 02, 03, and 04 were evaluated. The spray quality parameters: D V10 , D V50 , D V90 , and RS, in the working pressure range of: 150, 300 and 450 kPa, were determined. The coefficient of volume fraction droplets smaller than 100 µm was also calculated. The spray classification of MMAT nozzles was defined according to ASAE standards. This information should be useful for the sprayer operator when making a selection of a field sprayer's working parameters according to the pesticide use guide.

CONFORMIDADE DO POSTO DE OPERAÇÃO DE PULVERIZADORES AUTOPROPELIDOS

As operações com pulverizadores autopropelidos exigem um grande esforço físico e mental dos operadores. A correta disposição dos comandos aumenta, consideravelmente, a eficiência da operação. Em vista disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e comparar a localização dos comandos de uso frequentes e raros pelo operador em cinco pulverizadores autopropelidos, segundo a norma ISO 15077. Foram medidas as coordenadas dos principais comandos de operação em relação ao SIP (Seat Index Point). A análise revelou que o número de comandos decresce à medida que o nível tecnológico do pulverizador aumenta. Entre os comandos de acionamento frequentes, presentes em todos os pulverizadores, destacam-se os modelos 4730 e Patriot 350, que obtiveram 100% dos comandos dentro da Zona de Conforto nos dois perfis analisados. Os pulverizadores Impactus 2750, Patriot 350 e Gladiador 3000 não obtiveram comandos localizados na zona inacessível em nenhum dos dois perfis analisados. Desta forma, podemos concluir que&#x0D; os modelos avaliados apresentam grande variação no número dos comandos, que se encontram, na maioria dos casos, dentro da zona de conforto para pulverizadores com maior nível tecnológico e em menor expressão em pulverizadores com menor nível tecnológico.

Mental Workload Associated with Operating an Agricultural Sprayer: An Empirical Approach

Agricultural spraying involves two major tasks: guiding a sprayer in response to a GPS navigation device, and simultaneous monitoring of rear-attached booms under various illumination and terrain difficulty levels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of illumination, task difficulty, and task level on the mental workload of an individual operating an agricultural sprayer in response to a commercial GPS lightbar, and to explore the sensitivity of the NASA-TLX and SSWAT subjective rating scales in discriminating the subjective experienced workload under various task, illumination, and difficulty levels. Mental workload was measured using performance measures (lateral root mean square error and reaction time), physiological measures (0.1 Hz power of HRV, latency of the P300 component of event-related potential, and eye-glance behavior), and two subjective rating scales (NASA-TLX and SSWAT). Sixteen male university students participated in this experiment, and a fixed-base high-fidelity agricultural tractor simulator was used to create a simulated spraying task. All performance measures, the P300 latency, and subjective rating scales showed a common trend that mental workload increased with the change in illumination from day to night, with task difficulty from low to high, and with task type from single to dual. The 0.1 Hz power of HRV contradicted the performance measures. Eye-glance data showed that under night illumination, participants spent more time looking at the lightbar for guidance information. A similar trend was observed with the change in task type from single to dual. Both subjective rating scales showed a common trend of increasing mental workload with the change in illumination, difficulty, and task levels. However, the SSWAT scale was more sensitive than the NASA-TLX scale. With the change in illumination, difficulty, and task levels, participants spent more mental resources to meet the increased task demand; hence, the illumination, task difficulty, and task level affected the mental workload of an agricultural sprayer operator operating a sprayer in response to a GPS lightbar.

A complete task analysis to measure the workload associated with operating an agricultural sprayer equipped with a navigation device

The objective of this study was to perform a complete task analysis to measure the workload associated with operating an agricultural sprayer equipped with a navigation device. The task analysis included a written questionnaire and subsequent observation of sprayer operators. The questionnaire revealed that the lightbar was the most important source of guidance information (as opposed to relying on guidance information from external field cues). Observation consisted of recording eye-glance behaviour and heart rate variability while operators were spraying in a field setting. The eye-glance data suggest that external cues are more important than the lightbar for providing the necessary navigation information. Thus, the questionnaire and observation data contradict each other. Based on heart rate variability, operators who used a lightbar navigation device experienced more mental workload than operators who used an auto-steer navigation device.