Air Atomizing Spray Nozzle

Air atomizing nozzles produce very fine droplets by mixing air and liquids together. This application is used in a wide variety of industries for pollution control, fire mitigation, lubrication, cooling, and other operations. At Lechler, we offer air atomizing nozzles for both internal and external mixing based on your applications and equipment setups. Learn more about air atomizing spray nozzles and how we can design them to fit your operational needs.

Air atomizing nozzles work with a wide variety of liquids and gases, allowing companies to use them for different applications. The nozzles can provide gas cooling to remove excess NOx and other gases for pollution control. They may also be used to suppress airborne dust by integrating with the particles and making the dust heavy enough to fall to surfaces.

Air atomizing spray nozzles are also found in a variety of fire suppression systems. They can help power temperatures and remove oxygen from the air to help control and extinguish the flames. These nozzles are often found in data centers and other moisture-sensitive settings where the mist or fog can provide fire suppression options without significant water damage to equipment.

Additional applications include coatings for products and pharmaceuticals, lubrication for equipment, humidification, and tank washing projects. When the application requires mist or fog, air atomizing nozzles provide an even distribution of small and very fine droplets in various spray patterns.

When selecting a suitable air atomizing spray nozzle, the application, flow rate, liquid type, and spray pattern are several important factors to take into consideration. Also consider accessibility, the environment, and how the gas and liquid will mix.

For certain operations, you may be dealing with viscous liquids as you require a nozzle that allows the free passage of liquids with little clogging. Liquid volume is also important, as you may require a high volume spray when dealing with viscous liquids or when the environment has a lot of moving air.

1. Spray Pattern

Pneumatic flat fan atomizing nozzles are appropriate for humidifying and cooling of product, for web dampening, or for whenever a broad linear coverage is required (such as applying paint or food toppings). Pneumatic full cone atomizing nozzles are appropriate when circular impact or coverage is required (such as for fluid injection into a duct or pipe).

2. Liquid Supply Source

Whenever liquid can be supplied under pressure, it is most appropriate to use nozzles which function by the liquid pressure principle. Use of pneumatic atomizing nozzles operating by the siphon or gravity principle is more appropriate when liquid is to be sprayed in very low quantities (such as spraying disinfectants) and little pressure is required.

3. Internal vs. External Mix

In pneumatic nozzles, the supply of air or gas mixes with the liquid flow, breaking up the fluid into the smallest droplet particles, either inside (internal mix) or outside (external mix) the nozzle chamber. An internal mix nozzle is appropriate when water, low viscosity liquids, or liquids without solid matter are to be atomized. An external mix nozzle is more appropriate for atomizing viscous liquids which might otherwise tend to clog the nozzle. Low liquid pressures should be used with this type of nozzle due to its design.

4. Style of Nozzle

Series 136 nozzles (AirMists) are most appropriate when there is a need to finely atomize low viscous fluids, such as water. These are also able to have any of the various attachments on page 53 applied to them. This includes the pneumatic valve, which can separately and remotely control on-off operations, especially when intermittent spraying is required. Series 176 nozzles (ViscoMists) are external mix nozzles only and are most appropriate for spraying more viscous fluids (such as syrups and heavy oils) than AirMists are designed for. Series 166 AirMists include a solenoid for electronic activation of the nozzle through operation of a needle valve. This could be more appropriate if metered air is limited.

Lechler offers pneumatic air atomizing spray nozzles for a variety of applications in industries such as pharmaceutical, oil & gas, food & beverage, chemical, and many others. Our nozzles can work with low flow rates and allow you to conserve water while still performing optimally for your application. Reach out to us for more information.