Laboratory Studies of Changes in the Coefficient of Variation of the Transverse distribuTion of Liquid by a Deflector Sprayer When Applying Agrochemicals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32515/2664-262X.2026.13(44).212-218Keywords:
deflector sprayer, UAN, CV, liquid distribution uniformity, liquid mineral fertilizers, working pressure, boom height, laboratory experiment, optimization. Wolfram CloudAbstract
The article presents the results of laboratory studies aimed at determining the effect of main technological and structural parameters of deflector-type sprayers on the uniformity of liquid distribution when applying urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solutions. The purpose of the study is to identify the influence of working pressure, boom height, and throttle orifice diameter on the coefficient of variation (CV) of the transverse distribution of liquid fertilizer and to establish optimal operating parameters that ensure high distribution uniformity and minimize fertilizer losses.
Experimental studies were carried out on a hydraulic test bench designed in accordance with ISO 5682-2. Two types of deflector sprayers were tested: the standard RD-4.0 and an improved combined design. The Box–Behnken experimental method was used to process the results, and regression equations of the second order were obtained using Wolfram Cloud software. The adequacy of the models was verified by the Fisher criterion at a 5 % significance level. Based on the obtained equations, three-dimensional response surfaces were constructed to visualize the relationship between the studied factors and the CV value. The results showed that the coefficient of variation decreases with increasing pressure up to 0,3 MPa and optimal boom height around 0,7-0,9 m, providing stable spray overlap. The influence of the throttle diameter was also significant: an excessive increase in its size led to turbulence and a higher CV.
The performed studies confirmed that the developed combined deflector sprayer ensures a more uniform transverse distribution compared to the standard model. The minimal CV value (≈ 9.4 %) was achieved at p = 0,3 MPa, h = 0,9 m, and d = 1,0 mm. The obtained regression models adequately describe the interaction of factors and can be used for optimizing sprayer design and operational parameters in the application of liquid fertilizers. The research results provide a scientific basis for improving deflector sprayers to enhance the efficiency and environmental safety of agricultural chemical application.
References
Список літератури
1. Крамарьов С.М., Крамарьов О.С., Демиденко В.Г., Хорошун К.О., Пісоцький С.С., Бондарь В.Ю., Рубан С.М., Цуркан К.П. Економічна ефективність використання карбамід-аміачних сумішей (КАС) в сучасних системах удобрення сільськогосподарських культур. Дніпро: Нова ідеологія, 2020. 195 с.
2. TeeJet Technologies. A User’s Guide to Spray Technology (LI-TJ416). Wheaton, IL: TeeJet Technologies. 2023. [PDF]. Доступно за адресою: http://teejet.com/en/-/media/dam/agricultural/usa/sales-material/product-market-bulletin/li-tj416_user-guide-to-spray-technology.pdf
3. Nowakowski T., Chlebowski J., Kamiński J. Changes of coefficient of variation of transverse liquid distribution for single and dual stream atomizers. Engineering for Rural Development. 2017. Vol. 16. P. 1434-1439. DOI: 10.22616/ERDev2017.16.N324.
4. Nuyttens D., Baetens K., De Schampheleire M., Sonck B. Effect of nozzle type, size and pressure on spray droplet characteristics. Biosystems Engineering. 2007. Vol. 97, No. 3. С. 333-345. DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2007.03.001.
5. Parafiniuk S., Nowakowski T., Koszel M., Chlebowski J., Findura P. Influence of chosen working parameters of sprayer on coefficient of variation of transverse liquid distribution for twin fan nozzle. Acta Technologica Agriculturae. 2024. Vol. 27, No. 3. P. 173–178. DOI: 10.2478/ata-2024-0023.
6. Dorr G.J., Hewitt A.J., Adkins S.W., Hanan J., Zhang H., Noller B. A comparison of initial spray characteristics produced by agricultural nozzles. Crop Protection. 2013. Vol. 53. P. 109-117. DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2013.06.017.
7. Marangoni Junior A., Costa Ferreira M. Influence of working pressure and spray nozzle on the distribution of spray liquid in manual backpack sprayers. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico. 2019. Vol. 86, No. 2. P. e0442018. DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000442018.
8. Szewczyk A., Łuczycka D., Lejman K. 2011: Wpływ parametrów opryskiwania wybranym rozpylaczem dwustrumieniowym na stopień pokrycia opryskiwanych obiektów. (The impact of spraying parameters of chosen dual stream atomizer on the cover degree of spraying objects). Inżynieria Rolnicza 4(129): pp. 265-271 (in Polish).
9. ДСТУ ISO 5682-2:2019. Устаткування для захисту рослин. Обприскувальне устаткування. Частина 2. Методи випробовування гідравлічних обприскувачів. – Київ: ДП «УкрНДНЦ», 2019. 11 с.
10. Мележик О. І. Покращення дисперсності розпилення пестицидів: дис. ... канд. техн. наук : 05.05.11 / Мележик Олександр Іванович ; Дніпропетр. держ. аграр. ун-т. Дніпро, 2009. 180
11. Заявка u 2025 04632 Україна. Дефлекторний розпилювач / О. М. Кобець, Є. І. Лепеть (Україна); заявник та патентовласник ДВНЗ «Дніпровський державний аграрно-економічний. ун-т». № u 2025 04632; заявл. 22.09.25.
12. Кисельов О. В., Комарова І. Б., Мілько Д. О., Бакарджиєв Р. О.. Статистична обробка і оформлення результатів експериментальних досліджень (із досвіду написання дисертаційних робіт): навч. посіб.; за заг. ред. Д. О. Мілька. Інститут механізації тваринництва НААН. Запоріжжя: СТАТУС, 2017. 1181 с.
13. Алієв Е. Б. Чисельне моделювання процесів агропромислового виробництва: підручник. Київ : Аграрна наука, 2023. 340 с. ISBN 978-966-540-584-9. DOI: 10.31073/978-966-540-584-9
14. Wolfram S. An Elementary Introduction to the Wolfram Language (3rd ed.). [електронний ресурс]. Wolfram Research. Доступно за адресою: https://www.wolfram.com/language/elementary-introduction/3rd-ed/
References
1. Kramarov, S. M., Kramarov, O. S., Demydenko, V. H., Khoroshun, K. O., Pisotskyi, S. S., Bondar, V. Yu., Ruban, S. M., & Tsurkan, K. P. (2020). Economic efficiency of using urea-ammonium mixtures (UAN) in modern fertilization systems for agricultural crops. Dnipro: Nova Ideolohiia [in Ukrainian].
2. TeeJet Technologies. (2023). A User’s Guide to Spray Technology (LI-TJ416) [PDF]. Wheaton, IL: TeeJet Technologies. Retrieved from http://teejet.com/en/-/media/dam/agricultural/usa/sales-material/product-market-bulletin/li-tj416_user-guide-to-spray-technology.pdf
3. Nowakowski, T., Chlebowski, J., & Kamiński, J. (2017). Changes of coefficient of variation of transverse liquid distribution for single and dual stream atomizers. Engineering for Rural Development, 16, 1434–1439. https://doi.org/10.22616/ERDev2017.16.N324
4. Nuyttens, D., Baetens, K., De Schampheleire, M., & Sonck, B. (2007). Effect of nozzle type, size and pressure on spray droplet characteristics. Biosystems Engineering, 97(3), 333–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2007.03.001
5. Parafiniuk, S., Nowakowski, T., Koszel, M., Chlebowski, J., & Findura, P. (2024). Influence of chosen working parameters of sprayer on coefficient of variation of transverse liquid distribution for twin fan nozzle. Acta Technologica Agriculturae, 27(3), 173–178. https://doi.org/10.2478/ata-2024-0023
6. Dorr, G. J., Hewitt, A. J., Adkins, S. W., Hanan, J., Zhang, H., & Noller, B. (2013). A comparison of initial spray characteristics produced by agricultural nozzles. Crop Protection, 53, 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2013.06.017
7. Marangoni Junior, A., & da Costa Ferreira, M. (2019). Influence of working pressure and spray nozzle on the distribution of spray liquid in manual backpack sprayers. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico, 86(2), e0442018. https://doi.org/10.1590/1808-1657000442018
8. Szewczyk, A., Łuczycka, D., & Lejman, K. (2011). Wpływ parametrów opryskiwania wybranym rozpylaczem dwustrumieniowym na stopień pokrycia opryskiwanych obiektów [The impact of spraying parameters of chosen dual stream atomizer on the cover degree of spraying objects]. Inżynieria Rolnicza, 4(129), 265–271 [in Polish].
9. Ukrainian Research and Training Center of Standardization, Certification and Quality. (2019). DSTU ISO 5682-2:2019 Equipment for plant protection. Spraying equipment. Part 2: Test methods for hydraulic sprayers. Kyiv: UkrNDNC [in Ukrainian].
10. Melezhyk, O. I. (2009). Improving the dispersion of pesticide spraying (Candidate’s thesis, Dnipro State Agrarian University). Dnipro [in Ukrainian].
11. Kobets, O. M., & Lepet, Ye. I. (2025). Deflector sprayer (Utility model application No. u 2025 04632). Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University. Filed September 22, 2025 [in Ukrainian].
12. Kyselov, O. V., Komarova, I. B., Milko, D. O., & Bakardzhiiev, R. O. (2017). Statistical processing and presentation of experimental research results (based on the experience of writing dissertations): textbook. Zaporozhzhia: STATUS, Institute of Mechanization of Animal Husbandry of NAAS [in Ukrainian].
13. Aliiev, E. B. (2023). Numerical modeling of agro-industrial production processes: textbook. Kyiv: Ahrarna nauka. https://doi.org/10.31073/978-966-540-584-9 ISBN 978-966-540-584-9 [in Ukrainian].
14. Wolfram, S. (2023). An Elementary Introduction to the Wolfram Language (3rd ed.) [Electronic resource]. Wolfram Research. Retrieved from https://www.wolfram.com/language/elementary-introduction/3rd-ed/
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Oleksandr Kobets, Yevhen Lepet
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
