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2 FEB04
Calibration and Distribution Pattern Testing of Agricultural Aerial
Application Equipment
NOTE: ASAE Standards, Engineering Practices, and Data are informational and advisory
only. Their use by anyone engaged in industry or trade is entirely voluntary. The ASAE
assumes no responsibility for results attributable to the application of these ASAE
Standards, Engineering Practices, and Data. Conformity does not ensure compliance with
applicable ordinances, laws and regulations. Prospective users are responsible for
protecting themselves against liability for infringement of patents.
This standard may be designated ANSI/ASAE. If so, this standard is an American National
Standard. Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSI that the
requirements for due process, consensus, and other criteria for approval have been met by
the standards developer.
Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review,
substantial agreement has been reached by directly and materially affected interests.
Substantial agreement means much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily
unanimity. Consensus requires that all views and objections be considered, and that a
concerted effort be made toward their resolution.
CAUTION NOTICE: In the case that this standard is an ANSI/ASAE standard, this American
National Standard may be revised or withdrawn at any time. The procedures of the
American National Standards Institute require that action be taken periodically to reaffirm,
revise, or withdraw this standard. Purchasers of American National Standards may receive
current information on all standards by calling or writing the American National Standards
Institute.
Developed by the ASAE Agricultural Chemicals Application Committee; 3.2 The distribution equipment to be tested should be in good
approved by the Power and Machinery Division Standards Committee; mechanical condition and properly equipped and adjusted for the type of
adopted by ASAE as a Tentative Standard June 1977; reconfirmed application to be simulated.
December 1978, December 1979, December 1980, December 1981; 3.3 The tests should be conducted when wind speeds are less than 16
revised and reclassified as a full Standard January 1983; revised km/h (10 mph) measured at 2.5 m (8.2 ft) above the land surface or crop
February 1988; reaffirmed December 1992, December 1993, December canopy. The distribution pattern test flights should be made parallel to or
1998, February 2004. within 15 deg of the direction of the wind to minimize errors due to
crosswinds. Output rate test flights should be made considering both
headwind and tailwind components to minimize the effects of wind
1 Purpose and scope velocity on the ground speed of the aircraft.
1.1 This Standard establishes uniform procedures for measuring and 3.4 The following provisions will help assure that the tests will be carried
reporting application rates and distribution patterns from agricultural out in a safe and efficient manner.
aerial application equipment. 3.4.1 Test site. The test site should be selected where the aircraft can
1.2 The procedures covered deal with both fixed and rotary wing aircraft have a minimum unobstructed approach (from power lines, buildings,
equipped with either liquid or dry material distribution systems. trees, fences, etc.) and departure distance to and from the sample line of
1.3 These procedures and the statistics reported do not imply optimum 300 m (1 000 ft). The site should allow orientation of a 30 m (100 ft)
conditions for satisfying biological requirements. sample line at a right angle to the prevailing wind. The site should be
located in an area where there is a minimum of other flying aircraft. Local
airport and/or FAA authorities should be informed of scheduled activity so
that proper notification can be made to other aircraft operating in the
2 Definitions immediate area.
2.1 For the purpose of this Standard the following definitions shall apply: 3.4.2 Toxic materials. When toxic materials are used, all safety
2.1.1 Application rate: Application rates are as defined in ASAE precautions prescribed by the manufacturer and regulating authorities for
Standard S327, Terminology and Definitions for Agricultural Chemical handling, loading, application and disposal shall be observed.
Application. 3.4.3 Residues. Distribution equipment previously used in field
2.1.2 Deposit rate: Deposit rates are as defined in ASAE Standard applications should be cleaned and flushed of any residue prior to
S327, Terminology and Definitions for Agricultural Chemical Application. starting the test procedure. Special cleaning agents may be necessary to
2.1.3 Single-pass application: An application method where the aircraft neutralize previously used pesticides or additives.
applies one swath over the sample line. 3.4.4 Safety precautions. Prior to initiating any tests, the pilot and all
2.1.4 One-direction application: An application method where test site personnel shall be thoroughly briefed on test procedures. At the
successive adjacent swaths are made in the same direction of travel flight test area, all personnel shall stand clear of the aircraft flight path.
(racetrack application). This method produces a right-on-left wing overlap Special safety precautions shall be observed when stationary aircraft
pattern. tests are conducted with the engine running to prevent serious injury by
a moving propeller or rotor. If toxic materials are used, personnel should
2.1.5 Progressive application: An application method where the
remain clear of application and drift areas, and appropriate precautions
aircraft applies adjacent swaths but travels in alternate directions for
shall be taken to prevent contamination of test personnel and test site.
each swath (back and forth application). This method produces a right-
on-right wing overlap alternately with a left-on-left wing overlap pattern. 4 Test description and procedure
2.1.6 Swath spacing: The lateral distance between the aircraft 4.1 A test shall consist of four parts: (1) determination of the output rate
centerlines for overlapping broadcast applications. from the aircraft, (2) determination of the swath distribution pattern by
2.1.7 Effective swath width: The swath spacing that will produce measurement of the applied materials from suitable collectors, (3)
acceptable field deposition uniformity for intended application. determination of the maximum effective swath width and the
2.1.8 Nozzle orientation: The angle of spray discharge from the corresponding uniformity of distribution for overlapped swaths and, (4)
nozzles measured relative to the local airflow in flight. A nozzle determination of application rate. Each part of the test shall be replicated
orientation of 90 deg denotes spray discharge perpendicular to the to account for random variation.
direction of the local airflow while a nozzle orientation of 0 deg denotes 4.2 Output rate test
spray discharge that is parallel and to the rear. 4.2.1 Liquid materials. The output rate should be determined by
2.1.9 Indicated airspeed: The speed as indicated by the airspeed measuring the amount of liquid discharged from the tank for a measured
indicator of the aircraft in flight. time interval while the aircraft is operated under normal conditions. The
time interval should be sufficient to permit accurate measurement and
minimize errors due to turning the system on and off (at least 30 s) and
3 Test conditions should be measured to the nearest 0.1 s. The amount of liquid used shall
be measured by either refilling the tank to the initial level or by measuring
3.1 The physical characteristics of the liquid or dry material have an the amount remaining in the tank and subtracting from the initial amount.
effect on the application rate and the distribution patterns. If inert test Care must be taken to position the aircraft in exactly the same position
solutions or materials are substituted for the material to be applied, they on a level surface for the measurement and refilling operations.
must have physical characteristics similar to those of the material to be
Measurement precision should be 1% of the amount output. These
applied.
data may also be used to calibrate flow meters that may already be a
part of the system. If the liquid dispersal system can be operated
ASAE STANDARDS 257
normally with the aircraft stationary, the test can be accomplished without as outlined in paragraph 6.1.10. Care shall be exercised when using
actually flying the aircraft. Output rate shall be expressed in L/min (gpm). sample targets with raised edges to minimize the shadowing effect (the
4.2.2 Dry materials. The output rate should be determined by spray droplets approach the target at less than 90 deg) and to make a
measuring the amount of material discharged from the hopper over a sample target area correction when converting data to a field area basis.
given time interval while in normal flight. The time interval length and 4.3.1.1.3 For samples that are electronically scanned to measure
measurement precision specified in paragraph 4.2.1 shall also apply to deposition on the sample surface based on droplet size and numbers, an
the determination of the output rate for dry materials. The test shall be appropriate area must be scanned to obtain a true representation of the
run with the aircraft hopper filled to at least 25% of capacity. Output rate droplet-size distribution in the sample. Also, the spread factor versus
shall be expressed in kg/min (lb/min). droplet size function should be reported for the sampling surface material
4.3 Swath distribution pattern test. This test shall be accomplished by and the test liquid under test conditions (temperature and relative
flying the aircraft over the center of a target sample line placed at a right humidity).
angle to the line of flight. The center of the sample line shall be marked, 4.3.1.2 Qualitative distribution pattern measurement. A qualitative
and any deviation of the aircraft line of flight from the sample line center measure of the distribution pattern may be used to diagnose and correct
shall be noted. The sample line may be placed on the land surface, at distribution system deficiencies (plugged or worn nozzles, improper size
crop height or at any other height consistent with the purpose of the test. nozzles, system leaks, improperly placed nozzles, etc.). Qualitative
The aircraft shall be flown at a height suited to the type of material distribution pattern measurement techniques may employ discrete
applied and the purpose of the application. Actual aircraft height shall be sample targets or a continuous collector placed across the flight line of
measured and recorded. The airspeed shall be that recommended for the the aircraft. The measurement technique used should provide a relative
particular type of application, and the aircraft should be flown straight and or absolute measure of the deposition on the sample surfaces across the
level through the entire test course. The sample line should extent flight line.
beyond the ends of the pattern being tested. Ordinarily, the sample line 4.3.2 Dry material test procedure and collectors. Care must be taken
will be oriented so that the aircraft will be flying directly into the wind to to prevent granular materials such as pellets and seeds from bouncing
minimize the effects of crosswind on the distribution pattern. However, out of or into the collectors. This can be accomplished by collector design
once an acceptable distribution pattern has been obtained, a crosswind or by lining the collectors with material which prevents bouncing and
series may be run to establish the distribution pattern under this elevating the collectors to prevent granules from bouncing into them.
operating condition. Ambient temperature, humidity, horizontal wind Dust or other small particles may be collected on greased boards or
speed and wind direction (with respect to the direction of flight) shall be other sticky surfaces or in shallow pans. The area of the top opening of
measured at a height of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) above the sample line. The the collectors shall be 0.1 m2 (1 ft2) or larger as required to provide a
dispersing equipment in the aircraft shall be turned on at least 200 m representative sample of the deposit. Spacing of collectors along the
(660 ft) prior to crossing the sample line and shall continue operating the swath shall not exceed 1 m (3.3 ft). Particles of material caught may be
same distance beyond. For tests utilizing granular fertilizer this distance counted, weighed, or dissolved in a solute for analysis as appropriate.
may be reduced by one-half. Care must be taken to turn off the
dispensing system before the pull up at the end of the test course. 4.4. Sample analysis and conversion of swath distribution pattern
Evaluation shall be based on at least three replications of the test. Where data
possible, each replication shall be made with a single pass of the aircraft 4.4.1 Spray pattern test
in the same direction of travel. 4.4.1.1 Sample analysis of any type that is compatible with the spray
4.3.1 Spray test procedure and sample collectors. An inert or dye tracer may be used. Examples are validated methods using photoelectric
tracer material may be added to the contents of the spray tank, or the colorimetry, absorption or emission spectroscopy and liquid or gas
active chemical may be used as a tracer for the spray pattern tests. chromatography. The sensitivity of the analysis shall be at least 1 part
Blank formulations or suitable amounts of emulsifier, spreader-stickers per million (ppm). The concentration of tracer in the solvent after a
and other solvents and carriers shall be included to closely simulate the collector is washed in accordance with paragraph 4.3.1.1 may be
physical properties of the material to be applied. determined by use of a standard calibration curve developed for the
4.3.1.1 Quantitative distribution pattern measurement. Distribution tracer and analytical method employed. The rate of spray deposit on the
pattern measurement techniques may employ discrete sampling targets target collectors in L/ha (gal/acre) may then be determined for each
or a narrow continuous sampling surface placed across the aircraft line location across the line of target collectors as follows:
of flight. Quantitative analysis of these samples may involve washing
techniques or electronic scanning of the sample surface. Collectors shall K 1V tC t
be selected on the basis of collection efficiency, size and ratio of Target deposit rate
C sA
collection area to accuracy. Collector detail should be reported as
outlined in paragraph 6.1.10.
where
4.3.1.1.1 The pattern may be determined from the amount of tracer
material on the targets. Target surfaces that are analyzed by washing
techniques should permit all or a constant percentage of the tracer to be Target deposit rate, L/ha (gal/acre)
removed by a suitable solvent. Washing techniques should insure that
only the interior part of containers with raised edges are washed. If the
tracer degrades because of exposure to sunlight, passage of time or K1 constant 105 1 657
other factors, the test procedure shall correct for the degradation. A collector area, cm2 (in.2 )
Degradation shall be based on tests of the recovery of tracer from targets Vt volume of solvent used to wash tracer from collector, mL
to which known amounts of the spray liquid have been applied. The Ct concentration of tracer washed from collector, mg/L
exposed surface of individual flat targets shall have an area of at least Cs concentration of tracer in original spray solution, mg/L
50 cm2 (7.8 in.2). Spacing of the targets across the swath shall not 4.4.1.2 The electronic technique used in the image scanning of discrete
exceed 1 m (3.3 ft). Total length of the sample line resulting from the use or continuous sample surfaces shall result in a droplet-size distribution
of either discrete targets or a continuous surface shall be a minimum of having a minimum of 20 droplet-size classes. A droplet-size versus
30 m (100 ft). spread-factor function over the size range encountered under test
4.3.1.1.2 In the event the sample targets are positioned at any angle conditions for the sample surface material and test liquid shall be
other than horizontal, all the targets or the entire sample line should developed and used in calculating the deposit volume per unit of area.
feature the same angle of inclination, and this angle should be reported 4.4.2 Dry material pattern test