Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) means producing only the optimum sizes of spray droplet for the particular application. This is achieved by specifically designed spinning disc rotary atomisers which break up the spray liquid very evenly, resulting in a narrow range of spray droplet sizes. Micron pioneered the CDA technique and is the world leader in the development of spinning disc rotary atomisers.

Most spraying machines still break up spray liquid by squirting it under pressure through a hole - commonly referred to as anClose-up of hydraulic nozzle detailing variation in droplet size.hydraulic nozzle. The hydraulic nozzle - introduced over a hundred years ago - breaks up the spray liquid very unevenly, resulting in a very wide ,range of spray droplet sizes. Although some of the spray droplets produced will be of the required sizes, most will not - with vast variations in the amount of chemical between the smallest and largest spray droplets (commonly over one million to one).

Very large and very small spray droplets are both wasteful, and will not generally even hit the target. The very large spray droplets end up on the ground and the very small spray droplets drift - either into neighbouring areas or into the atmosphere - thus wasting much of the spray and contaminating the environment. This wasteful inefficiency also means that hydraulic nozzle sprayers have to use much more spray liquid than is actually necessary to do the job. To fetch, carry and spray this extra liquid costs time, effort and money for both the small farmer in the developing world carrying out most jobs manually or the large mechanised western farmer

The waste and environmental contamination resulting from spraying pesticides through hydraulic nozzles is causing increasing world-wide concern. CDA offers the way forward in improving spraying efficiency, eliminating waste and safeguarding the environment, as shown by studies in many countries. The UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution recognised the important advantages offered by CDA and called for increased research on CDA by government and the chemical industry.

The efficiency of CDA allows low and ultra-low volumes of spray liquid to be used. This logistical advantage can be of critical importance in crop protection, allowing effective spraying programmes to be undertaken quickly in non-mechanised agriculture such and greater spraying productivity in mechanised agriculture. Being able to apply pesticides accurately, quickly and cost - effectively when needed gives the opportunity of fully implementing Integrated Pest Management programmes, with reduced overall pesticide usage.  

 

 

Target	Optimum Sizes of Spray droplet
Flying Insect	10-50 micron spray droplets
Insects on Surfaces	30-150 micron spray droplets
Plant Diseases	30-150 micron spray droplets
Weeds	100-300 micron spray droplets