FACTORS AFFECTING SPRAY ANGLE OF HOLLOW CONE NOZZLES USED IN PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of orifice diameter (1.0, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0 and 2.4 mm), core (four types) and operational spray pressure (200, 400, 600, 800 and 1200 kPa) variables on spray angle in hollow-cone nozzles produced from polyacetal (POM) material. The results of the variance analysis showed that the effect of nozzle orifice diameter, core and spray pressure variables on spray angle was very significant statistically. The highest spray angle was measured at the nozzle with large orifice diameter. For nozzle discs with the orifice diameters of 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.6 mm, 2.0 mm, and 2.4 mm at the spray pressure level of 300 kPa, the spray angle varied between 49 degrees-60 degrees, 60 degrees-72 degrees, 74 degrees 85 degrees, 80 degrees-97 degrees and 89 degrees-101 degrees, respectively. After a certain pressure level, the spray angle varied within a stable range. The lowest spray pressure at which spray angle remains stable was determined to be 600 kPa in a nozzle with the orifice diameter of 1.0 mm, while it was determined to be 400 kPa in nozzles with the orifice diameters of 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm, and 200 kPa in nozzles with the orifice diameters of 2.0 mm and 2.4 mm.