Agricultural Spray Tracer Method for AI Volatility vs Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Discerning whether active ingredient (AI) movement is due to spray drift during application or volatility post-application remains a challenge, as existing methods are complex, time-consuming, and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of a metal tracer in agricultural spray solutions, combined with an agricultural drift tunnel (AgDT) that simulates environmental conditions, allows for differentiation between drift caused by application and volatility by maintaining a predetermined ratio of AI to tracer, which remains constant during drift and increases during volatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to determine AI drift source, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A non-volatile tracer substance is introduced as an intermediary component in the spray solution to indirectly indicate the source of AI drift. The tracer remains in droplets throughout the process, serving as a marker that allows differentiation between volatility-driven and droplet-driven drift without requiring complex direct measurement of AI movement sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracer substance provides a detectable signal (analogous to color change) through its presence or absence in air samples. By measuring tracer concentrations at various locations and times, the system transforms the invisible chemical process of drift into a measurable signal that indicates whether AI movement is due to volatility or droplet drift.
2Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to determine AI drift source, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The tracer substance simplifies the measurement system by providing a direct indicator of droplet presence. Instead of requiring complex instruments to directly observe and differentiate AI drift mechanisms, the system uses the tracer as a proxy that can be measured with simpler equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracer creates a simplified copy or model of the droplet behavior. By tracking the tracer rather than directly analyzing AI movement, the system uses a surrogate that mimics droplet persistence without requiring the complex analytical equipment needed to study the actual AI transport mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If tracer is added to spray solution, then drift source differentiation is improved, but manufacturing precision of spray solution formulation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation approach changes by incorporating a second parameter (tracer concentration) alongside AI concentration. By establishing a predetermined ratio relationship between these parameters, the system transforms a single-parameter formulation problem into a dual-parameter system where the tracer acts as an internal reference, allowing drift source differentiation while managing formulation complexity through ratio-based specifications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a cost-effective and time-efficient way to determine the source of off-target AI movement, distinguishing between droplet drift and volatility, thereby optimizing spray solution formulations and application techniques.
Implementation Method 1
Volatility of the AI can occur after application based on the AI converting to a gas and moving off application site
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure include the use of a tracer in agricultural spray solutions, and preferably a metal tracer, to determine if off-target drift of an active ingredient (AI) is based on drift caused during application or volatility of Al after application.