Distribution Characteristics of Rotor Airflow and Droplet Deposition of Plant Protection UAVs Under Varying Rotor–Nozzle Distances

Xiaojie Xu, Shengde Chen (), Zhihong Li, Zehong Wu, Yuxiang Tan, Shimin Huang and Yubin Lan ()
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Xiaojie Xu: College of Electronic Engineering (College of Artificial Intelligence), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Shengde Chen: College of Electronic Engineering (College of Artificial Intelligence), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Zhihong Li: College of Electronic Engineering (College of Artificial Intelligence), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Zehong Wu: College of Electronic Engineering (College of Artificial Intelligence), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Yuxiang Tan: College of Electronic Engineering (College of Artificial Intelligence), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Shimin Huang: College of Electronic Engineering (College of Artificial Intelligence), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Yubin Lan: College of Electronic Engineering (College of Artificial Intelligence), South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: The rotor airflow intensity and distribution characteristics of plant protection UAVs vary significantly with spatial positions below the rotor. Consequently, changes in the rotor–nozzle distance directly affect droplet motion and deposition patterns. To optimize the spraying effect of UAVs, this study combined a numerical simulation of rotor airflow and droplet deposition at different vertical distances between rotor and nozzle with field validation tests. The simulation results revealed that airflow intensity initially increases and then decreases with greater rotor–nozzle distance, peaking at 300–400 mm below the rotor with a maximum airflow velocity of 8.1 m/s. At 360 mm, the droplet swarm achieved its highest average velocity, corresponding to optimal deposition effect. Field tests confirmed a non-linear relationship between rotor–nozzle distance and droplet deposition. Droplet deposition first increased but declined sharply beyond the optimal range. When the distance was 360 mm, the target area exhibited the highest droplet deposition of 0.766 μL·cm −2 and the lowest drift rate of 23.31%. Although a certain deviation existed between numerical simulation results and field test values, both methods consistently identified 360 mm as the ideal distance for balancing deposition efficiency and drift control. These findings provide actionable insights for field trial design and advance precision spraying strategies for plant protection UAVs.

Keywords: plant protection UAV; rotor–nozzle distance; rotor airflow; droplet deposition; precision spray (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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