MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF THE FLUID RETENTION PROPERTIES OF A CARPET-COVERED ROTATING HORIZONTAL CYLINDER AND IMPLICATIONS TO HERBICIDE APPLICATION

LAWRENCE DOKA GAULTNEY, Purdue University

Abstract

The application of herbicides to target plants by using a contact method such as wicks or absorbent wipers has several advantages over spraying in many circumstances. Elimination of herbicide drift, conservation of herbicide material, and plant height selectivity are characteristic of most contact application methods. An analysis of the most suitable method of applying translocatable herbicides to woody brush was carried out in field and laboratory tests. A horizontal, rotating, carpet-covered roller was used in test plots and on utility rights-of-way to treat a wide variety of woody brush using seven translocatable herbicides. An average of over 90% brush control was achieved in these tests. Laboratory testing studied variations in the roller speed, roller diameter, carpet covering, wiper flap pressure, liquid surface tension and liquid viscosity in order to determine optimal levels for these application parameters. Mathematical models are developed for predicting the behavior of liquid added to the top of the rotating cylinder. More than 86% of the variation in the amount of liquid held on the roller could be attributed to the variables studied. Field studies indicated that the roller-wiper concept of herbicide application is very effective in controlling unwanted woody brush. It was determined that by controlling the proper parameters, an efficient, reliable, safe herbicide applicator could be built using the carpet roller principle.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Agricultural engineering

Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server
.

Share

COinS