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Development and Characterization of a Contact-Charging Electrostatic Spray UAV System

Author

Listed:
  • Denan Zhao

    (School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science/Academy of Ecological Unmanned Farm/National Sub-Center for International Collaboration Research on Precision Agricultural Aviation Pesticide Spraying Technology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Simon Cooper

    (Engineering Department/National Centre for Precision Farming, Harper Adams University, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK
    China-UK Intelligent Agricultural Collaboration Research Centre, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Parmjit Chima

    (Engineering Department/National Centre for Precision Farming, Harper Adams University, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK
    China-UK Intelligent Agricultural Collaboration Research Centre, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Guobin Wang

    (School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science/Academy of Ecological Unmanned Farm/National Sub-Center for International Collaboration Research on Precision Agricultural Aviation Pesticide Spraying Technology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
    China-UK Intelligent Agricultural Collaboration Research Centre, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Lechun Zhang

    (School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science/Academy of Ecological Unmanned Farm/National Sub-Center for International Collaboration Research on Precision Agricultural Aviation Pesticide Spraying Technology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Binshu Sun

    (School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science/Academy of Ecological Unmanned Farm/National Sub-Center for International Collaboration Research on Precision Agricultural Aviation Pesticide Spraying Technology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Xuejian Zhang

    (Institute of Agricultural Economy and Information Technology, Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Science, Yinchuan 750002, China)

  • Yubin Lan

    (School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science/Academy of Ecological Unmanned Farm/National Sub-Center for International Collaboration Research on Precision Agricultural Aviation Pesticide Spraying Technology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
    China-UK Intelligent Agricultural Collaboration Research Centre, Zibo 255000, China
    National Center for International Collaboration Research on Precision Agricultural Aviation Pesticides Spraying Technology (NPAAC), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

Abstract

Utilizing agricultural UAVs for pesticide and insecticide spraying is an effective measure for plant protection. However, achieving effective coverage on the back side of target is often challenging. To address this issue, this study combined a contact-charging spraying system with a UAV to develop an electrostatic plant protection UAV system. Upon activating the electrostatic component, strong electrostatic effects were observed at the nozzle, altering the distribution of the liquid flow; the distribution within the liquid flow became more homogeneous, while the edge regions experienced electrostatic repulsion, leading to changes in droplet size and an increase in droplet density. In the central area, droplet size reduced from 159 μm to 135 μm, while in the edge area, it changed from no value to 120 μm. During field tests using the UAV, the results showed an increase of 1.0 m in effective spray width (at a flight height of 4.0 m), indicating that the charges and propellor wind field contributed to the diffusion of droplets towards the edges. Additionally, the droplet density increased by an average of 19.7 droplets/cm 2 , and the overall deposition increased by 0.12 μL/cm 2 , resulting in an approximate three-fold increase compared to conventional spray, which aids in insect control and reduces pesticide usage.

Suggested Citation

  • Denan Zhao & Simon Cooper & Parmjit Chima & Guobin Wang & Lechun Zhang & Binshu Sun & Xuejian Zhang & Yubin Lan, 2024. "Development and Characterization of a Contact-Charging Electrostatic Spray UAV System," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:467-:d:1356222
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