Spray Patternation – The spray pattern is providing an automatic measurement

Patternation is the specialized technical art of performing quantitative measurements of properties within a spray and then the patterns with the spray are visualized. The process is used for nozzle testing. For smaller sprays, OP-200 patternator is used and for bigger ones OP-660 is used. It is the common measurement that is providing maximum output resulting in better resolution. The tests are done in the laboratory and many types of nozzles & injectors are included in the testing. Drop size refers to the size of the individual drops that comprises a nozzle’s spray pattern USA.

Spray patterns are providing a range of liquid drop sizes there are several factors which affect the drop size. It includes liquid properties, nozzle capacity, spray pressure and spray angle. The small drop size is produced for dust suppression between 20 and 200 μm airborne dust particles are required of the same range. A high degree of atomization is used for producing very small drop size and that is achieved by pumping water through nozzles at high pressure. Air atomization is the better choice if compressed air is available and economically feasible.

Information obtained through spray patterns are –

• Patternator number
• Asymmetry ratio
• Local surface area of drops per unit volume
• Cone angle
• Presence of streaks and voids

Here is the detail of some of the characteristics –

Spray Angle: The range gets determined by the spray patterns, the number of nozzles and the nozzle. It is ranging from 0° to 175°.

Operating Pressure: The moisture need defines the operating pressure and flow rate. The nozzle operating should be placed close to the dust source and it is best suited for enclosed areas.

Surface Wetting: The nozzle is used to increase the surface wetting and any impact can also increase surface wetting. The drops are traveling through the turbulent air before they hit the material.

Air atomization is a better choice if compressed air is available and is generally a better choice. They have a large flow passage than hydraulic fine spray nozzles that are reducing clogging. The specific operating conditions determine the nozzle style and spray patterns. It verifies flow rates and drops size at the operating pressures.