Which formulation is difficult to mix in very hard, alkaline water and tends to clog nozzles and screens?

Which formulation is difficult to mix in very hard, alkaline water and tends to clog nozzles and screens?

• A. Wettable Powders
• B. Dusts
• C. Flowables
• D. Inert Emulsions

Answer: (A)

Wettable powders are the most sensitive to water quality. They’re finely ground solids that must be wetted and dispersed evenly in water to form a stable spray suspension. In very hard water, the high levels of calcium and magnesium ions interfere with wetting and dispersion, causing the powder to clump and form fines that don’t fully suspend. The alkaline pH can further reduce the effectiveness of dispersants and promote sticky residues. These issues lead to agglomerates and deposits that readily plug nozzles and screens in the sprayer. Because mixing in hard, alkaline water is hard to achieve with this formulation, wettable powders are the ones that tend to cause nozzle and screen clogging.

Wettable powders are the most sensitive to water quality. They’re finely ground solids that must be wetted and dispersed evenly in water to form a stable spray suspension. In very hard water, the high levels of calcium and magnesium ions interfere with wetting and dispersion, causing the powder to clump and form fines that don’t fully suspend. The alkaline pH can further reduce the effectiveness of dispersants and promote sticky residues. These issues lead to agglomerates and deposits that readily plug nozzles and screens in the sprayer. Because mixing in hard, alkaline water is hard to achieve with this formulation, wettable powders are the ones that tend to cause nozzle and screen clogging.