|
Maintaining Efficiency: Measures to counter clogging
Foreign matter can clog a nozzle's internal mechanism or orifice; incidence of clogging varies according to the type and characteristics of the liquid being sprayed. Understandably, the performance of a clogged nozzle degrades.
The illustration below shows clogging in the chamber and around the orifice of a spray nozzle.
Although the following measures can be taken to minimize the likelihood of clogging, a nozzle manufacturer's advice should be sought when choosing a spray nozzle that will be required to spray liquids containing impurities or foreign matter.
- Select a spray nozzle that delivers a given flow rate at low pressure, such spray nozzles have a relatively bigger orifice diameter (or free passage diameter).
- Some spray nozzles that deliver a small quantity of liquid have built-in filters.
- Spray nozzles that have no internal components are effective for avoiding clogging.
- If very small quantities of liquid are to be sprayed, nozzles that spray liquid with gas have bigger orifice diameters than nozzles that spray liquids only.
- Eroded internal surfaces of a spray nozzle will become rough, which can trigger an accumulation of foreign matter. In such cases, it is wise to choose a spray nozzle made of a material that is resistant to erosion.
- A fundamental measure to counter clogging is to filter out any foreign matter from the liquid to be sprayed in advance.
|