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Understanding the Potential Impacts of Nozzle Clog Detection in Precision Spray Application
1P. A. Larbi, 2C. Vong
1. Arkansas State University / University of Arkansas
2. Arkansas State University

Agrochemicals for crop protection such as pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides are chiefly applied using sprayers. Regardless of the sprayer type – whether ground or aerial – nozzles are the outlets via which pressurized chemical mix finally exits the sprayer as spray. The type of nozzle used determines the spray pattern attained while the size of nozzle (orifice diameter) determines the liquid flow rate. For a given nozzle size, increasing the operating pressure increases the flow rate as well as increases the fineness of the spray. Limited by their small orifices, however, nozzles are susceptible to becoming clogged during the spraying operation. Clogging may be either partial (altering the spray pattern) or total (resulting in complete cessation of flow from the affected nozzles). Nozzle clogging affects the spray application efficiency by reducing coverage on the target crop. Depending on the desired application rate, the total area to be sprayed, the number of clogged nozzles on the boom, and the percentage of total spraying time that nozzles were clogged, a varied reduction in spray coverage would result. The lower coverage leads to reduced productivity of the spray applicator, decreased efficacy of the on-target chemical deposits, and increased amount of chemical required to complete the job. The relationships between the factors and corresponding outputs in the forgoing discussion are quite complex and their determination using field experiments can be challenging and somewhat impractical. Moreover, the cost can be prohibitive limiting the amount of information that can be gathered in given experiment. Using modeling and simulation approach, the nature of these relationships can be studied to establish the most influential factors which can be further tested in targeted field experiments. This was attempted in the current study by building a model in MATLAB and running simulations in a complete factorial computer experiments. Based on the results, the economic benefits of using a nozzle clog detection system for real time monitoring under different field settings are also established. Consequently, optimum response schemes are recommended for practical application by crop producers and spray applicators. 

Keyword: Boom sprayer, spray coverage, nozzle clog detection, modeling and simulation