The air atomizing nozzle really comes into its own for the many industrial processes where liquids must be atomised into fine droplets. While a standard air nozzle may achieve this by forcing the liquid through a very small orifice under high pressure, this severely limits the flow rates that can be achieved. And because very small nozzles are more easily clogged, there's also a risk of costly process disruption. That's why, for most purposes where very small droplets are needed over a wide range of flow rates, the answer lies in the use of air atomising nozzles.
Different types of atomising nozzle
There are two main types: standard versions (air assisted atomisation) work because the impact of a high velocity compressed air stream shears liquids. The extent of atomisation can be taken further by the use of ultrasonic sound. Ultrasonic atomising nozzles use a two-stage process to atomise a liquid: first, the liquid passes through several orifices before being subjected to the shearing action of the high velocity airflow. The second stage involves a resonator that generates ultrasonic sound waves to break the already-tiny particles into an even finer spray.
The benefits of ultrasonic atomizer nozzles
When compared to hydraulic or air assisted atomizing, ultrasonic atomisation offers several important advantages:
Finer droplets than by pressure atomisation (approx. 20 Micron diameter)
Low flow rates (down to 1.0 litres/hr).
An air atomizing nozzle can achieve very narrow spray patterns.
Avoidance of costly nozzle clogging.
Very low drop velocity (approximately one-hundredth the velocity of hydraulic or air-assisted nozzles).
The SPXA atomizing nozzle
This nozzle derivative produces eight different types of spray, achieved by using interchangeable air and fluid caps to give specific spray set-ups for different purposes. Both pressure-fed and siphon-fed versions are available, as well as nozzles with integral clean out and shut off assemblies, and non-drip versions. All these features give enhanced functionality and help the supplier tailor the most appropriate solution for a client's process.
Applications for an air atomizer nozzle
Typical applications include dust suppression, spray drying, odour control, humidification, product coating (often in conjunction with conveyor belts), product and gas cooling. Air atomizing nozzles are particularly well-suited to high-viscosity liquids.
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