Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Drift Mitigation by Wingtip Modification
EPA Contract Number: 68D00231Title: Drift Mitigation by Wingtip Modification
Investigators: Teske, Milton E.
Small Business: Continuum Dynamics Inc.
EPA Contact:
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2000 through March 1, 2001
Project Amount: $69,521
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Under the Phase I effort various wingtip modifications were examined with new design tools. These tools, for the first time, provide the enabling technology that allows an assessment of the performance of these wingtip-mounted devices for reducing drift from aerial application. Numerical simulations and qualitative wind-tunnel experiments are used to support the results of the optimization process. A stability and control analysis completes the preliminary assessment of the proposed device in this Phase I effort.Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The results of this work suggest one possible wingtip-mounted device that has the potential to mitigate drift. The optimized wingtip-mounted device is shown to reduce drift fraction over the edge of the spray block by 60 percent or more. The stability and control analysis indicates that the net effect on dynamic response and static stability will be minimal, with only some adjustment for trim and/or power settings. No additional rudder or vertical stabilizer will be required as a consequence of adding the proposed drift mitigation device. Analysis suggests that this device will be such that it can be readily manufactured and retrofit to existing aircraft.Conclusions:
The next phase requires the detailed design and fabrication of the proposed wingtip-mounted device, and quantification of driftmitigation by way of field studies. These efforts will be discussed in the Phase II proposal.
Field tests should confirm that the proposed wingtip-mounted device, when
installed on agricultural aircraft, results in
significant drift reduction.
This device will potentially reduce the buffer zones currently being considered
around
sensitive areas, expand the usefulness of available pesticide
products, lower pesticide application costs, reduce environmental
risk, and
permit the delivery of pesticides in a more accurate and environmentally safe manner.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Drift Fraction, Drift Reduction, Winglets, Optimization, AgDRIFT, Fast Panel/Vortex., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, air toxics, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, exploratory research environmental biology, pesticides, Fate & Transport, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Ecological Indicators, pesticide exposure, ecological exposure, drift mitigation, ecological impacts, agricultureSBIR Phase II:
Drift Mitigation by Optimization of Wingtip Modification | 2000 Progress Report | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.