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Wireless flow-sensor to inspect spray rate controllers
Get PDFIn Belgium, the mandatory inspection of sprayers was already started up in 1996 and the 8th inspection cycle (2017-2018-2019) is currently running. The inspection of sprayers is performed by official and mobile teams ruled by two inspection authorities and the management is done by the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Public Health and the Environment (FAVV). In the Flemish region the inspection is delegated to the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO). In the past decade the number of field crop sprayers equipped with a spray rate controller increased significantly. In the first inspection cycle (1996-1998), only 4.58% of the field crop sprayers were equipped with a spray rate controller in Flanders. In the 7th inspection cycle (2014-2016), this percentage increased significantly to 26.92%. As the original inspection method for spray rate controllers showed some lacks and was time consuming, ILVO developed a simple and reliable method to test rate controllers on field crop and orchard sprayers.In Belgium, the mandatory inspection of sprayers was already started up in 1996 and the 8th inspection cycle (2017-2018-2019) is currently running. The inspection of sprayers is performed by official and mobile teams ruled by two inspection authorities and the management is done by the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Public Health and the Environment (FAVV). In the Flemish region the inspection is delegated to the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO). In the past decade the number of field crop sprayers equipped with a spray rate controller increased significantly. In the first inspection cycle (1996-1998), only 4.58% of the field crop sprayers were equipped with a spray rate controller in Flanders. In the 7th inspection cycle (2014-2016), this percentage increased significantly to 26.92%. As the original inspection method for spray rate controllers showed some lacks and was time consuming, ILVO developed a simple and reliable method to test rate controllers on field crop and orchard sprayers
Assessment of some measurement methods for the inspection of spray application equipment
Get PDFSeveral measurement methodologies used for the determination of the uniformity of the spray distribution are assessed. Nozzle adaptors used for flow rate measurements of the nozzles mounted on the sprayer cause a deviation of the measured values from the real ones, mainly in flat fan nozzles working at low pressures. According to the inspection standard, the transverse distribution uniformity in a horizontal boom sprayer can be measured in two ways. If a horizontal patternator is used, less favourable inspection results are found than if the distribution uniformity is estimated in the same conditions from the nozzle flow rate and pressure drop measurements. Finally, it was seen than the shorter overlapping length for the measurement of the boom transverse distribution established in the current standard, provide more favourable inspections compared with the overlapping length of the former one. The results of this work should be taken into account when establishing inspection procedures by the authorities and could also provide useful information for a future revision of the technical standards.Several measurement methodologies used for the determination of the uniformity of the spray distribution are assessed. Nozzle adaptors used for flow rate measurements of the nozzles mounted on the sprayer cause a deviation of the measured values from the real ones, mainly in flat fan nozzles working at low pressures. According to the inspection standard, the transverse distribution uniformity in a horizontal boom sprayer can be measured in two ways. If a horizontal patternator is used, less favourable inspection results are found than if the distribution uniformity is estimated in the same conditions from the nozzle flow rate and pressure drop measurements. Finally, it was seen than the shorter overlapping length for the measurement of the boom transverse distribution established in the current standard, provide more favourable inspections compared with the overlapping length of the former one. The results of this work should be taken into account when establishing inspection procedures by the authorities and could also provide useful information for a future revision of the technical standards
Quality assurance of the workshop activity - including test facilities
Get PDFEspecially for MS with various boarders it is essential to know the state of the testing system in the neighbour countries. In North Rhine Westphalia a well-established system is working well since years. But how is the situation in other Federal States like Rhineland Palatinate, Hessen or Lower Saxony? All three federal states are following the same EU Directive, but the responsibility of the local authorities is different compared to North Rhine Westphalia. But in all cases we are accepting a sticker on a sprayer throughout the whole Europe. Or how is the quality system in the Netherlands? Following that question a developed questionnaire and parameters for quality control of accepted workshops was provided in the shape of a SPISE Advice. This SPISE Advice was adapted to the local situation in North Rhine Westphalia. With this system a visit of a recognized workshop in the Netherlands was conducted in collaboration with local authorities (SKL). The reason for this visit was to be sure that there will be no problem with the mutual recognition of a tested sprayer. This review showed a good result with a comparable system between the Netherlands and North Rhine Westphalia. Especially in the case for establishing a new system the SPISE Advice was really helpful.Especially for MS with various boarders it is essential to know the state of the testing system in the neighbour countries. In North Rhine Westphalia a well-established system is working well since years. But how is the situation in other Federal States like Rhineland Palatinate, Hessen or Lower Saxony? All three federal states are following the same EU Directive, but the responsibility of the local authorities is different compared to North Rhine Westphalia. But in all cases we are accepting a sticker on a sprayer throughout the whole Europe. Or how is the quality system in the Netherlands? Following that question a developed questionnaire and parameters for quality control of accepted workshops was provided in the shape of a SPISE Advice. This SPISE Advice was adapted to the local situation in North Rhine Westphalia. With this system a visit of a recognized workshop in the Netherlands was conducted in collaboration with local authorities (SKL). The reason for this visit was to be sure that there will be no problem with the mutual recognition of a tested sprayer. This review showed a good result with a comparable system between the Netherlands and North Rhine Westphalia. Especially in the case for establishing a new system the SPISE Advice was really helpful
Sprayers adjustment at the workshop thanks to the use of a dedicate software
Get PDFIn Piemonte Region, the instrumental adjustment of sprayers is compulsory when the farm comply with sustainable production standards and for this reason draws European subsidies. To ease the task of technicians involved in this assignment, the regional administration - in collaboration with the Information System Consortium (CSI) and the DiSAFA (Torino University) - developed a dedicated on line software as an integration of the current one that is suitable for functional inspection only. The software is accessible to qualified technicians only and is split into two parts according to the type of sprayer (either boom sprayer or sprayer for bush/tree crops). Data concerning type of crops, treatment, crop canopy (for orchards only), nozzles, operative parameters (pressure, forward speed, applied volume etc.) are initially collected on a paper form and then typed into the software. The last section of the software is dedicated to the sprayer instrumental adjustment and it provides the results achieved with the use of the test benches (optimal boom working height for field crop sprayers and vertical distribution pattern for air assisted sprayers). The result of the adjustment can be print as a report and delivered to the farmer.In Piemonte Region, the instrumental adjustment of sprayers is compulsory when the farm comply with sustainable production standards and for this reason draws European subsidies. To ease the task of technicians involved in this assignment, the regional administration - in collaboration with the Information System Consortium (CSI) and the DiSAFA (Torino University) - developed a dedicated on line software as an integration of the current one that is suitable for functional inspection only. The software is accessible to qualified technicians only and is split into two parts according to the type of sprayer (either boom sprayer or sprayer for bush/tree crops). Data concerning type of crops, treatment, crop canopy (for orchards only), nozzles, operative parameters (pressure, forward speed, applied volume etc.) are initially collected on a paper form and then typed into the software. The last section of the software is dedicated to the sprayer instrumental adjustment and it provides the results achieved with the use of the test benches (optimal boom working height for field crop sprayers and vertical distribution pattern for air assisted sprayers). The result of the adjustment can be print as a report and delivered to the farmer
