SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP32489S

Electrodyn Sprayer Pesticide Application Using Electrostatic Atomization

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The Electrodyn sprayer is being extensively tested in the United States to determine its impact on the biological efficacy of selected products. The Electrodyn sprayer uses electricity to atomize certain oil-based pesticide formulations into a spray cloud, electrically charging the resulting droplets with a no-moving-parts nozzle. The atomizing nozzle consists of a pair of electrodes (high and low voltage) and a narrow gap outlet for the pesticide liquid flow. The pair of electrodes subjects the liquid to an intense and divergent electric field as the liquid passes through the thin-slot, high-voltage nozzle. Droplets ranging in size from 25 to 200 μm form when accumulation of a surface electric charge on the liquid produces a loss of fluid surface tension. Droplets emitted from the nozzle travel toward the target along curved electric field flux lines at an average speed of 10 m/s and impinge upon the equipotential leaf surfaces at 90° angles. This results in coverage on both leaf surfaces, known as the wraparound effect. Applications as low as 0.5 L/ha give adequate biological control in some canopies. A vehicle-mounted Electrodyn unit is currently being developed that is a self-calibrating, closed system suitable for row crop spraying.

Author Information

Sherman, ME
Research and Development, ICI Americas Inc., Goldsboro, N.C.
Bone, JR
Research and Development, ICI Americas Inc., Goldsboro, N.C.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E35
Pages: 100–109
DOI: 10.1520/STP32489S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4891-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0221-7