FLUX-BASED MEASUREMENTS WITH THE MALVERN SPECTROMETER

A method for determining temporally based droplet spectrum information using the Malvern particle cloud (Fraunhofer diffraction) spectromete r is presented. For spatially segregated spray plumes such as develope d by many agriculture and forestry spray devices, a multiple-position traverse method was found to produce an average mass balance agreement of 96% (droplet volumetric flux compared to fluid flow rate to the at omizer)for seven tests on D8-46 and D10-46 nozzles at various orientat ions to the airflow The method assumes a constant light intensity on t he laser beam, and the maximum obscurations observed were 0.20. Compar isons with previous results obtained with a PMS system (FSSP-100 and O AP-260X probes) indicate that errors exist in some published data, and a review of some of that data is required, as is data from the Malver n spectrometer where single-position measurements were made, for spati ally segregated sprays.