10 questions to choose the right spray nozzle
How do you choose a nozzle? What are the questions to ask?
10 questions to choose the right spray nozzle
How do you choose a nozzle? What are the questions to ask?
We already talked about choosing the proper spray nozzle and its main applications in the past. But what are the practical questions to ask yourself before choosing a nozzle?
Choosing a spray nozzle involves many factors. However, if specific variables are considered, the decision-making process will undoubtedly lead to an appropriate choice.
We collected 10 questions to ask to choose the right nozzle. When selecting your spray device, it is essential to ask yourself these 10 questions to select the right solution:
What are the questions to ask yourself before choosing a spray nozzle?
1
What is the application?
Washing, cleaning, sanitizing, disinfection, cooling, drying, nebulization, humidification, coating, abatement of dust and foam, pollution control, gas washing, water treatment, lubrication, extrusion, tempering, cold rolling, continuous casting: these are just some of the possible applications of the nozzles. Knowing what the goal, allows you to identify the right product immediately.
2
What is the available pressure?
A nozzle is a device that converts the energy from a fluid into the velocity of the spray droplets. The flow rate of a nozzle depends on the pressure. As a general rule, we can say that the higher the fluid pressure, the smaller the drop size.
Depending upon the nozzle design, feed pressure variations may greatly influence the spray angle value.
Nozzles will not function properly with low-pressure values (from 0.5 bar down depending on nozzle type ). The results are marked decay in performance, larger drops, not well-defined spray pattern, lower spray angle values.
3
What is the flow rate?
The Bernoulli law shall be used to calculate the discharge flow rate from a given nozzle, which says that the energy of a liquid flow remains unchanged over all the sections of the flow.
4
What is the desired nozzle material?
The most suitable material for a nozzle is one of the most crucial decisions since its operating life depends upon it. The choice of material directly depends on the operating conditions, i.e., the pressure, temperature, type of fluid used, and finally, the type of connection required.
Discover all the materials available to you for PNR Italia nozzles and their properties >
5
What is the piping material?
As for the nozzles, the system’s material is fundamental.
6
What are the connection types desired?
The connections of a nozzle are many and can influence the choice of one product or another. Nozzles are available with locknut connections, welding nipple, threaded nipple, metal or plastic clamp.
7
What liquid is being sprayed?
The fluid that is sprayed affects the material the nozzle is made of. All the materials available for PNR Italia nozzles have specific mechanical properties such as corrosion resistance directly linked to the sprayed liquid and the environment in which the spraying system is located.
The viscosity of a liquid also affects the performance of the nozzle.
Nozzles working on the turbulence principle like normal full cone nozzles and whirl hollow cone nozzles will show increased capacity while spraying liquids with higher viscosity than water. It can be easily imagined that spraying a liquid more viscous than water is a difficult task. All the properties of the spray tend to worsen.
8
What is the distance from the nozzle to the target?
The spray angle is the opening angle at which the nozzle jet of droplets forms when it leaves the nozzle orifice, and it is one of the fundamental parameters for the choice of a given nozzle.
It is important to note that, because of several factors like gravity forces and aerodynamic drag, the spray angle value cannot be maintained but in a limited distance, generally up to 300 mm from the orifice.
9
What is the desired spray angle?
The spray angle is the angle formed by the cone of liquid that comes out of the orifice of a nozzle. The width of the spray angle and the distance between the orifice and the wet surface determine the spray coverage area.
The design of a nozzle aims at the uniformity and impact force of the sprayed jet, whether the nozzles are used individually or superimposed. The nozzles are designed to distribute the spray with different geometries. These spray geometries can be dart, full cone, hollow cone or flat jet.
10
What are the environmental conditions surrounding the nozzle?
If a nozzle is exposed to extreme temperatures, harsh environmental conditions, or sprays corrosive liquids, consider replacing it with one made of more durable material.