Pentair Hypro ULDmax for ultra-low drift control

A 130 degree flat fan spray pattern for low-boom spraying and ultra-low drift control capability are among features of the new ULDmax spray tip from Pentair Hypro, the specialist manufacturer of spray tips, nozzle assemblies and other spraying system components.

Coarser, less drift-prone composition

The Ultra Lo-Drift Max air induction tip has a pre-orifice used to regulate the flow rate of liquid into a chamber where air sucked in through a single inlet by venturi effect drops the pressure so that a coarser, less drift-prone composition is emitted from the tip orifice.

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Distinctive appearance of Pentair Hypro’s new Ultra Lo-Drift Max (ULDmax) spray tip is intended to protect the air inlet from dust and debris and provide a durable casing. – Photos: Pentair Hypro

Minimise volume of ‘fines’

The main objective in developing the ULDmax, says Pentair Hypro, was to minimise the volume of ‘fines’, the smallest droplets most prone to drift, to provide the most robust anti-drift potential for herbicides application within proximity of vulnerable neighbouring crops and surface water.

95% lower level of drift

Tests show a consistent 95% lower level of drift from this tip compared with a conventional flat fan design used as a baseline reference, making it attractive for applications of materials like systemic herbicides such as glyphosate in situations where best possible containment of spray is paramount.

Also read: Pentair Hypro compact spraying tip for low drift

130 degree fan pattern

The 130 degree fan pattern helps in this respect since the correct nozzle-to-nozzle pattern overlap is achieved with the boom 25cm (10in) above the ground or top of the crop, compared with 38cm (15in) for a 110 degree tip.

Boom height is a significant factor in the susceptibility of crop sprays to drifting off target.

Computational fluid flow dynamic modelling

Achieving the required composition involved using computational fluid flow dynamic modelling to help determine the geometry within the nozzle, including the gap between the inlet and outlet orifices and the volume of air mixed with the liquid.

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Air bubbles

The resulting size spectrum is composed of a very large proportion of big droplets, says Pentair Hypro, with each droplet containing air bubbles that reduce their mass and encourages them to collapse upon impact – a characteristic of all air induction tip designs.

6 sizes

The ULDmax is being produced in 6 sizes from 025 to 08, producing ‘ultra coarse’ sprays at between 1.5 to 5.0 bar (21-72psi), and an ‘extremely coarse’ composition at 6.0 to 8.0 bar (87-116psi).