Performance evaluation of aero blast sprayer with developed spray lance

Abstract

Field evaluation of an aero blast sprayer was carried out to determine the distribution pattern of the sprayer based on droplet density and volume of spray deposition using droplet analyser on mango orchard. Preliminary evaluation was conducted at 1500, 1750 and 2000 blower rpm and distance was set at three different levels of distance at minimum (5 m), middle (7 m) and maximum (9 m). It was found that with increasing in blower speed and distance, air velocity and discharge rate decreased. Based upon preliminary evaluation results, the sprayer was evaluated in orchard of mango of 3 kg/cm2 pressure. The maximum swath width was found to be 5.0 m to 9.9 m. The sprayer was operated at blower speed of 2000 rpm and an distance of 5 m, the maximum air velocity, Discharge (Top, Middle, Bottom) was found to be 7.1 m/s, 774 ml/min (189 ml/min, 358 ml/min, 227 ml/min) for mango orchard, respectively. The volume median diameter (VMD) and number median diameter (NMD) was found to be 136.32 to 234.97 μm, 143.98 to 313.61 μm, 210.87 to 262.11 μm and 31.35 to 45.98, 35.20 to 52.91 and 58.52 to 37.61 for mango tree at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kmph, respectively. The saving of labour and cost of spraying was found to be 50% and 200.84 Rs/h, respectively as compared to tractor operated aero blast sprayer.