Use of Software for Image Analysis and Calibration of Automated Rain Simulator

Aims: To calibrate and evaluate a rain simulator, with automatic operation, as well as determine the average size, the effect of the height of the equipment (2.12; 2.42 and 2.72 m) and of the oscillations of the spray nozzle of the rain simulator (21, 29 and 40 oscillations min-1). Finally, to test and to compare the results of the count of drops by the software of analysis and processing of images Able Image Analyser, ImageJ and Safira.

Study Design: The experimental design was completely randomized, with 3 x 3 x 3 factorial scheme, with three repetitions (81 units).

Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in a greenhouse, in the municipality of Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, located geographically at latitude 16°27'49 "S, longitude 550°34'47" W.

Methodology: For the calibration tests, the rainfall simulator was adjusted according to the heights (2.12; 2.42 and 2.72 m) and oscillations (21, 29 and 40 oscillations min-1), followed by trays with a uniform layer of wheat flour, 2 cm thick, where the simulated raindrops were sprayed for a period of 4 seconds. From this procedure, the drops were dried, sifted, weighed and counted. Droplet analysis was performed using three image analysis software Able Image Analyser, ImageJ and Safira.

Results: The softwares Able Image Analyzer, ImageJ and Safira did not show any significant difference in counting of the number of drops. It was observed that in the oscillation factor in setting that if gets drops of larger size (21 oscillations min-1) the terminal velocity is also greater. In the height factor of the equipment, the drops presented larger sizes at the lower height (2.12 m). There are larger drops, higher terminal velocity as the height of the spray nozzle decreases, and higher kinetic energy value per unit area as the height of the spray nozzle increases. The range of drop sizes observed was 1.2 mm to 3.1 mm.

Conclusion: Although the software does not present significant differences, the ImageJ software proved to be more suitable as a research tool, since it has the license of free use and greater ease of use. Satisfactory results were obtained compared to natural rains in more than one combination of height and swings.