Simulation and Experiment on Parameters of an Airflow-Guiding Device for a Centrifugal Air-Assisted Sprayer

Orchard air-assisted sprayers have become key equipment for the prevention and control of fruit tree diseases and pests. However, centrifugal fans are rarely used in orchard air-assisted sprayers. To address the issue that the airflow generated by single-duct centrifugal air-assisted sprayers is insufficient to cover the lower canopy, a flow-guiding device for the lower canopy of fruit trees was designed. The Flow Simulation software of SOLIDWORKS 2021 was used to simulate the airflow field, and various structural parameters of the air outlet were analyzed to determine the optimal configuration of the upper edge inclination angle, the position of the upper air outlet, and the length of the upper air outlet. The results showed that the position of the upper air outlet had the most significant impact on the uniformity of the external flow field, followed by the upper edge inclination angle and the length of the upper air outlet. The optimal parameter settings for the air supply guiding device were determined as follows: upper edge inclination angle of 79°, upper air outlet position of 307 mm, and upper air outlet length of 190 mm. The verification test showed that the relative error between the simulated and actual airflow velocity measurements did not exceed 10%, confirming the accuracy of the simulation. The orchard field test showed that the average deposition density in the inner canopy of fruit trees was 78 particles/cm2, indicating strong penetration ability; the distribution of spray droplets in the vertical direction of the canopy was uniform, meeting the requirements of fruit tree pesticide application operations. This technology provides a new approach for the application of centrifugal fans in fruit tree pesticide spraying.