Droplet Size Distributions Across the Fan Patterns of New and Worn Nozzles

Droplet size spectra characteristics across the fan-patterns of new and worn nozzles with different capacities and constructed of different materials were investigated. Initial flow rates of the nozzles were 0.8, 1.5, 2.3 and 3 L/min, and the materials were brass, nylon, plastic, stainless steel and hardened stainless steel. Droplet size distributions from new nozzles with the same flow capacity, but constructed of different materials, were approximately the same. The weighted volume median diameter (_D_ v.5) of the spray distribution from each nozzle was determined from the volume of liquid spray and droplet size distribution at 2 cm intervals across the swath (41 points). The _D_ v.5 of all new nozzles, regardless of material, increased linearly as capacities of the nozzles increased. The _D_ v.5 was generally greater for worn than similar new nozzles.