What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore how pulse-width modulation affects droplet size distribution and flow rate of low-drift nozzles used in pesticide application systems.

May 15, 2026AgrochemicalsOpen Access

Droplet Size Distributions and Flow Rates of Pulse-Width-Modulated Low-Drift Nozzles

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Authors

JCJoão Paulo Arantes Rodrigues da CunhaThe Ohio State University EÖErdal ÖzkanThe Ohio State University HJHongyoung JeonCollege of Wooster

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Implication

Randomized trial investigates droplet size and flow rate in low-drift nozzles with PWM control, suggesting implications for pesticide application systems.

Key Points

This research aims to explore how pulse-width modulation affects droplet size distribution and flow rate of low-drift nozzles used in pesticide application systems.
Experiments conducted under controlled laboratory conditions with eight flat-fan nozzles of varied designs.
Nozzles were paired with a PWM valve and tested at duty cycles ranging from 20% to 100% in 20% increments and at pressures of 276 and 414 kPa.
Droplet size distribution was measured using laser diffraction and flow rates were assessed to understand PWM effects.
PWM operation demonstrated a strong linear relationship between duty cycle and flow rate (R2 ≥ 0.99).
Flow rates agreed well with theoretical values at duty cycles ≥ 60%, while lower duty cycles showed significant deviations.
Low duty cycles increased the variability of droplet sizes and the presence of drift-prone droplets (<150 µm), depending on the nozzle type and pressure.

Cite This Study

Cunha et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a06b81ce7dec685947aaa9d https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals5020025

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Implication

Randomized trial investigates droplet size and flow rate in low-drift nozzles with PWM control, suggesting implications for pesticide application systems.

Droplet Size Distributions and Flow Rates of Pulse-Width-Modulated Low-Drift Nozzles

Discussion

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Droplet Size Distributions and Flow Rates of Pulse-Width-Modulated Low-Drift Nozzles

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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