Spray nozzle

Multiple outlets on nozzles are present on spray balls, which have been used in the brewing industry for many years for cleaning casks and kegs.

[3] Single-fluid or hydraulic spray nozzles utilize the kinetic energy imparted to the liquid to break it up into droplets.

This flat fan spray pattern nozzle is used in many applications ranging from applying agricultural herbicides to painting.

A film is discharged from the perimeter of the outlet orifice producing a characteristic hollow cone spray pattern.

Many configurations of fluid inlets are used to produce this hollow cone pattern depending on the nozzle capacity and materials of construction.

A swirling liquid motion is induced with the vane structure, however; the discharge flow fills the entire outlet orifice.

A flat pattern is formed with additional air ports to flatten or reshape the circular spray cross-section discharge.

[5] Excessive drop size can lead to catastrophic equipment failure or may have an adverse effect on the process or product.

If drops do not completely evaporate and strike a vessel wall, dust will accumulate, resulting in the potential for flow restriction in the outlet duct, disrupting the plant operation.

An ultrasonic nozzle can be key to high transfer efficiency and process stability as they are very hard to clog.

Almost all drop size data supplied by nozzle manufacturers are based on spraying water under laboratory conditions, 21 °C (70 °F).

The effect of liquid properties should be understood and accounted for when selecting a nozzle for a process that is drop size sensitive.

Dynamic viscosity is defined as the property of a liquid that resists change in the shape or arrangement of its elements during flow.

The main effects of surface tension are on minimum operating pressure, spray angle, and drop size.

The material of construction is selected based on the fluid properties of the liquid that is to be sprayed and the environment surrounding the nozzle.

Spray nozzles are most commonly fabricated from metals, such as brass, Stainless steel, and nickel alloys, but plastics such as PTFE and PVC and ceramics (alumina and silicon carbide) are also used.

Among others rotary bells mounted on robots and hvlp (high volume, low pressure) sprayers are widely used to paint car bodywork during manufacture.

[8] Agricultural spraying may involve hydraulic, twin fluid and rotary nozzles: discussed further under pesticide application.