Drone Advice

NEW PRODUCT ALERT: Anti-Foam Now Available

We've been busy working on a new product development that we are excited to share with you.

Fly The Farm Anti Foam has been specifically formulated to suppress foam in agricultural chemical sprayers and dip tanks. As our operators know, when agitating agricultural formulations and surfactants during tank filling, excessive foam can develop costing us time and excess wastage. 

Anti-foam has always played a crucial role in our business ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently.

The Problem with Foam in Agricultural Operations

Foam formation is a common issue when preparing and applying agrochemical mixtures, particularly those containing surfactants or wetting agents. Surfactants are widely used in agricultural formulations to help enhance the spread and adhesion of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers on plant surfaces. However, the agitation and mixing of these chemicals in tanks or during drone operations can generate large amounts of foam.

In batch tanks, foam can cause overflows, inaccurate measurements, and uneven mixing, resulting in delays and increased waste. For agricultural drones, foam presents additional challenges. When spray mixtures are loaded into drones, excessive foam can reduce the tank's effective capacity, interfere with spray nozzles, and affect calibration. These issues not only waste valuable chemicals but also compromise the accuracy and effectiveness of pesticide or fertilizer applications.

How Anti-Foam Works

Anti-foaming agents, or defoamers, are specially formulated additives designed to prevent and reduce foam buildup in liquid systems. These agents work by breaking down the surface tension of foam bubbles, causing them to collapse. In agricultural settings, anti-foaming agents can be added directly to batch tanks or mixed with formulations before loading into agricultural drones. The agents act quickly to suppress foam formation, ensuring that tanks fill more efficiently and that drone operations are uninterrupted.

The Benefits of Anti-Foaming Agents for Agricultural Drones

Increased Operational Efficiency: By preventing foam buildup, anti-foaming agents allow batch tanks and drones to be filled more quickly and accurately. This reduces downtime and ensures that drones can spend more time in the air, maximising their productivity.

Improved Application Accuracy: Foam can interfere with the calibration and spray pattern of agricultural drones, leading to uneven or inaccurate application of agrochemicals. Anti-foaming agents help ensure that spray mixtures remain consistent and properly distributed, improving the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Reduced Chemical Waste: Foam often results in chemical overflow or the retention of product within tanks, both of which lead to waste. Anti-foaming agents reduce these issues, allowing for more precise dosing and reducing the need for additional chemical inputs.

Cost Savings: By optimizing the use of agrochemicals and preventing waste, anti-foaming agents help reduce operational costs. Farmers and operators can make better use of their resources, improving the return on investment for both drones and batch tanks.

Application in Batch Tanks

Batch tanks used in agricultural operations are critical for mixing and preparing large volumes of chemicals before they are distributed via sprayers or drones. Some tanks often have built-in agitation systems to ensure proper mixing, but this agitation can also generate foam. Excessive foam can cause inaccurate chemical metering, tank overflows, and operational delays.

Adding anti-foaming agents to batch tanks helps maintain accurate liquid volumes and improves the consistency of chemical mixtures. This is particularly important when scaling operations to treat large agricultural areas, as precise measurements are key to effective pest control, fertilization, or weed management.

Application in Agricultural Drones

Agricultural drones are transforming how chemicals are applied to crops, providing precise and efficient aerial application. However, foam in the drone’s spray tank can disrupt these benefits. Foam reduces the tank’s available capacity, meaning fewer chemicals can be carried per flight, and increases the likelihood of spray nozzle blockages. Both issues result in a loss of efficiency and application accuracy.

By using anti-foaming agents, operators can prevent foam from forming during the filling process, allowing drones to carry their maximum load and ensuring that sprays are applied uniformly. The result is a more consistent and effective application of agrochemicals, leading to better crop health and yield outcomes.

Fly The Farm Anti Foam is available in 1L and 5L Bottles with recommended concentrations of 10ml - 20ml per 100L being sufficient.

To place an order or discuss wholesale opportunities, get in touch with us today. Stock will be uploaded to our online store shortly.

Posted in Drone Advice at 28 August 24