Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Drift Mitigation by Optimization of Wingtip Modification
EPA Contract Number: 68D01061Title: Drift Mitigation by Optimization of Wingtip Modification
Investigators: Teske, Milton E.
Small Business: Continuum Dynamics Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 2001 through September 1, 2003
Project Amount: $224,980
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2001) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The goal of this research project was to verify the drift reduction of the dual winglet device found by the numerical models in Phase I through fabrication and installation of the optimized design on a selected agricultural aircraft. There also were plans to execute an extensive field study during the Phase II Option. Phase II results demonstrated that the device could significantly reduce the buffer zones currently being considered around sensitive areas (by up to a factor of three or more) and thereby expand the usefulness of available pesticide and herbicide products, lower application costs, reduce environmental risk, and permit the delivery of these materials in a more accurate and environmentally safe manner.
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 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
dual winglet, aerial application, drift mitigation, agricultural aircraft, pesticide, herbicide, pesticide application, buffer zones, EPA, small business, SBIR,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, air toxics, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, pesticides, Fate & Transport, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Ecological Indicators, Agricultural Engineering, ecological exposure, drift mitigationSBIR Phase I:
Drift Mitigation by Wingtip Modification | 2001 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.