Development and validation of a 3D CFD model of drift and its application to air-assisted orchard sprayers

摘要: HighlightsA CFD model of drift from orchard sprayers was developed and validated.The model is used to analyse effect of nozzle arrangement and fan speed on drift.Drift reducing nozzles reduce drift but increase near-tree ground deposition.Drift reducing and standard nozzles together can reduce near-tree ground deposition.Pesticides play an important role in providing high crop yields by minimising the risks associated with pests but some of the sprayed product may move beyond the intended target and result in drift. Modelling approaches can help understand the behaviour of spray drift using computer simulations. However, modelling drift from orchard spraying presents particular challenges:(1) the moving spray interacts with the canopy before drifting outside the target area;(2) the vertical wind profile in the orchard is different to neighbouring fields where there is different vegetation;(3) the moving air jet from …