Project number
27098
Organization
Gowan Company
Offering
ENGR498-F2026-S2027
Project Scope for Gowan Company Precision Spray Chamber for Plant Studies
Purpose and Background
Gowan Company conducts small pot studies that require accurate, repeatable application of test products to plants. Current application methods make it difficult to control application variables and can introduce variability between treatments and trials. The purpose of this project is to acquire or build a spray chamber that allows precise, consistent applications on small pot studies, improving the quality and reproducibility of our research data.
Project Objective
The primary objective is to have a compact, reliable spray chamber that gives operators direct control over key application parameters and supports safe, efficient daily use in a research setting. The chamber should be simple enough to operate and maintain without specialized training, while still delivering the precision our studies require.
Scope of Work
The project includes the selection, design, and implementation of a spray chamber system meeting the functional requirements below.
Application control. The chamber must provide adjustable travel speed for the spray boom or nozzle carriage, so that application rate can be tuned to study needs. It must also provide adjustable pressure (psi) with an accurate, easily read gauge and regulator, so operators can match nozzle specifications and target spray volumes. Finally, the boom height must be adjustable to accommodate different pot sizes and plant heights, and to maintain a consistent nozzle-to-target distance.
Size and mobility. The equipment should be compact and mobile enough to be relocated within the facility (for example, on wheels or casters) and to fit the space available in the greenhouse. It should accommodate small pots in the quantities typical of our studies, in an area of approximately 2ft by 3ft.
Simplicity of design. The system should favor straightforward, dependable components and intuitive controls. Overly complex automation or specialized software that would add cost, training time, or maintenance burden is outside the intended scope.
Operator safety and containment. The chamber must include an exhaust or ventilation system to capture overspray and vapors and to protect the operator during and after applications. Design should minimize operator exposure during loading, spraying, and unloading, and the exhaust approach must be compatible with facility requirements.
Cleaning and maintenance. Interior surfaces should be smooth, non-porous, and chemical-resistant so residues can be wiped down and decontaminated easily between products. Spray lines, nozzles, and the tank or reservoir should be easy to flush, disassemble, and clean to prevent cross-contamination between treatments.
Deliverables
• A functioning spray chamber meeting the requirements above
• Basic operating, cleaning, and maintenance instructions
• Operator orientation on safe use and calibration
• Documentation of specifications (nozzle type, pressure range, speed range, boom height range)
Assumptions and Considerations
• Equipment examples identified by the team will be reviewed to inform selection or design.
• Final specifications, including dimensions, speed and pressure ranges, and exhaust configuration, will be confirmed during team discussions.
• Facility requirements such as electrical, ventilation, and space will be verified before installation.
• Applicable safety and regulatory requirements for pesticide or chemical handling will be followed.
Out of Scope
Large-scale or field-scale application equipment, fully automated or software-driven systems beyond basic speed and pressure control, and modifications to existing facility infrastructure beyond what is needed to connect the chamber's exhaust are not included in this project.
Purpose and Background
Gowan Company conducts small pot studies that require accurate, repeatable application of test products to plants. Current application methods make it difficult to control application variables and can introduce variability between treatments and trials. The purpose of this project is to acquire or build a spray chamber that allows precise, consistent applications on small pot studies, improving the quality and reproducibility of our research data.
Project Objective
The primary objective is to have a compact, reliable spray chamber that gives operators direct control over key application parameters and supports safe, efficient daily use in a research setting. The chamber should be simple enough to operate and maintain without specialized training, while still delivering the precision our studies require.
Scope of Work
The project includes the selection, design, and implementation of a spray chamber system meeting the functional requirements below.
Application control. The chamber must provide adjustable travel speed for the spray boom or nozzle carriage, so that application rate can be tuned to study needs. It must also provide adjustable pressure (psi) with an accurate, easily read gauge and regulator, so operators can match nozzle specifications and target spray volumes. Finally, the boom height must be adjustable to accommodate different pot sizes and plant heights, and to maintain a consistent nozzle-to-target distance.
Size and mobility. The equipment should be compact and mobile enough to be relocated within the facility (for example, on wheels or casters) and to fit the space available in the greenhouse. It should accommodate small pots in the quantities typical of our studies, in an area of approximately 2ft by 3ft.
Simplicity of design. The system should favor straightforward, dependable components and intuitive controls. Overly complex automation or specialized software that would add cost, training time, or maintenance burden is outside the intended scope.
Operator safety and containment. The chamber must include an exhaust or ventilation system to capture overspray and vapors and to protect the operator during and after applications. Design should minimize operator exposure during loading, spraying, and unloading, and the exhaust approach must be compatible with facility requirements.
Cleaning and maintenance. Interior surfaces should be smooth, non-porous, and chemical-resistant so residues can be wiped down and decontaminated easily between products. Spray lines, nozzles, and the tank or reservoir should be easy to flush, disassemble, and clean to prevent cross-contamination between treatments.
Deliverables
• A functioning spray chamber meeting the requirements above
• Basic operating, cleaning, and maintenance instructions
• Operator orientation on safe use and calibration
• Documentation of specifications (nozzle type, pressure range, speed range, boom height range)
Assumptions and Considerations
• Equipment examples identified by the team will be reviewed to inform selection or design.
• Final specifications, including dimensions, speed and pressure ranges, and exhaust configuration, will be confirmed during team discussions.
• Facility requirements such as electrical, ventilation, and space will be verified before installation.
• Applicable safety and regulatory requirements for pesticide or chemical handling will be followed.
Out of Scope
Large-scale or field-scale application equipment, fully automated or software-driven systems beyond basic speed and pressure control, and modifications to existing facility infrastructure beyond what is needed to connect the chamber's exhaust are not included in this project.