Space Charge Effects in Orchard Spraying

The use of electrostatic forces in the application of pesticides in orchards has been hindered in the past because of the problems involved in directly transferring technology from the electrostatic painting industry. An apparatus is described which over- comes these problems by utilizing induction charging combined with air shear atomization of the liquid pesticide. The principle of operation is reviewed, and a simple model proposed to allow analysis of the electrostatic and mechanical forces. The relative magnitudes are compared through the use of force ratios, and typical values show that space charge induced forces can play a significant part in the deposition process. These results agree with pesticide deposition analyses reported previously.