Nozzle Assembly for Army Mass Delousing Outfit. Phase 1

Studied a pediculicide meter and nozzle for use with the Kioritz DM-9 backpack sprayer as a mass human delousing system. The project was reduced to 3 interdependent design areas metering method, meter actuation, nozzle design site access. Five initial metering designs sliding gate, vertical membrane, inclined membrane, rotary membrane, and piston plunger, located in the lower tank area, were tested. Testing of the units focused on consistency. Although the prototypes do not reflect recommended material and configuration necessary for rugged field testing, they were essential in advancing proof of concept. Two specific meter designs were advanced 1 the inclined membrane design, which exhibited consistent powder metering and 2 the auger not among the initial designs tested, which was positioned to the blower exhaust. The two systems performed comparably system test results are specified. The auger is more complex. The inclined membrane can be incorporated into a foot pedal design. It is recommended that in Phase II, both designs should be concurrently optimized and field prototypes and performance criteria and protocols be developed.... Human mass delousing, powder, metering, blower, pediculicide, malathion.