Performance of image analysis for assessment of simulated spray droplet distribution

Various distribution patterns of spray droplets were simulated with Autosketch V.2 software and images of specks were printed on a Laserjet 2 printer. The specks were studied with a Dapple Systems image analyzer and Imageplus + software. The objectives were to evaluate the utility of image analysis for spray deposition assessment and determine the effects of image area, speck size, and number of specks on the accuracy of the measurements. The size of the image area, speck size, and the number of specks had significant effects on area coverage measurement. The accuracy of image analysis decreased as image area or speck size decreased or speck number increased. Image partitioning adversely affected the accuracy of the measurements.