Spray Droplet Characterization from a Single Nozzle by High Speed Image Analysis Using an In-Focus Droplet Criterion

Sensors

Frédéric Cointault¹  Jan G Pieters²  Jürgen Vangeyte³  David Nuyttens³  Sofija Vulgarakis Minov³ 

[1] Agrosup Dijon, Joint Research Unit Agroecology—26 Bd Dr Petitjean, BP 87999, Dijon cedex 21079, France;Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium;The Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Technology and Food Science Unit, Agricultural Engineering. Burgemeester Van Gansberghelaan 115, bus 1, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium;

关键词: high speed image analysis;    spray characterization;    piezoelectric droplet generator;      in-focus criterion;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s16020218

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Accurate spray characterization helps to better understand the pesticide spray application process. The goal of this research was to present the proof of principle of a droplet size and velocity measuring technique for different types of hydraulic spray nozzles using a high speed backlight image acquisition and analysis system. As only part of the drops of an agricultural spray can be in focus at any given moment, an in-focus criterion based on the gray level gradient was proposed to decide whether a given droplet is in focus or not. In a first experiment, differently sized droplets were generated with a piezoelectric generator and studied to establish the relationship between size and in-focus characteristics. In a second experiment, it was demonstrated that droplet sizes and velocities from a real sprayer could be measured reliably in a non-intrusive way using the newly developed image acquisition set-up and image processing. Measured droplet sizes ranged from24 μm to 543 μm, depending on the nozzle type and size. Droplet velocities ranged from around0.5 m/s to 12 m/s. The droplet size and velocity results were compared and related well with the results obtained with a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer (PDPA).

【 授权许可】

Unknown