Air atomized spray nozzles are the most common type of atomizing
nozzles and are offered in many specialized designs. Available in
virtually any material and several spray angles, another fluid (usually
air) is mixed with the process liquid. The resulting spray is a high
velocity flat or full cone pattern of very fine droplets. With this
type of nozzle your air and liquid pressure ratios play a very important
role in the droplet size received. Some of our air atomizing nozzles
can generate droplets as fine as 10 microns SMD.
Air atomizing nozzles are often used for
lubricating,
scenting,
coating,
moisturizing,
humidifying,
cooling and
gas conditioning because they can
generate a range of droplets from fine to very fine in size. Air Atomizing
Droplets can generate the finest droplet sizes of all atomizing nozzle types, as
low as 10 microns SMD.
Why Atomize?Imagine two
droplets of the same size, one droplet you break up [atomize] into 1000 smaller
droplets and the other you leave alone. If you measure the surface area of each
"small droplet" and add them up, the result will be more than the total surface
area of single large droplet. Simply put, the smaller the droplet size, the
more surface area you'll have at a given flow rate. More surface area
translates into more efficient heat transfer, surface contact or reaction within
a gas stream.
"Which is better, a Twin Fluid Atomizing
Nozzle or Hydraulic Atomizing Nozzle?"As with most questions in
life, that depends! Air atomizing nozzles usually have lower flow rates and as
a result are measured in gallons per hour (GPH) vs. gallons per minute (GPM).
In order to generate very fine droplets with hollow cone nozzles it often
requires operating at higher discharge pressures (up to 2,000 PSI) and air
atomizing nozzles require a compressor or blower air of some type. So the
droplet size and flow rate required as well as the resources available all play
a part in the decision making process.
There are several variations of air
atomizing nozzles such as designs that have co-axial inlets (both
atomizing fluid and process fluid enter from same side).
Overview
of the basic choices for Atomizing Nozzles
This is Where We Can Assist!
Most customers do not know what droplet size they require. They may not even
know the flow rate required. Although each application has its specific
requirements, you can tap into our experience for recommendations. In some
cases a certain residency time is desirable, such in SOx reduction
applications. In many applications the droplets require a certain mass and
velocity in order to provide the distribution desired within a pressurized
reactor or high velocity gas stream. These are all factors that help determine
the droplet size required. We can work with you to help minimize the guesswork
and maximize your spraying efficiency.
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