Choosing the right type of spray nozzle for your application can be tricky. To make it easy, we developed this guide to outline the main difference between our offerings.

As Coronavirus has changed the way we live and work, we’ve seen the world take action to protect one another.  Over the last few weeks, inquiries about using spray nozzles for disinfectant solutions have spiked. Sanitizing stations have become an essential fixture for a multitude of objects, from packages and PPE, to individuals themselves.

Vortec manufactures three types of spray nozzles, all of which are classified as “two-fluid nozzles.” Meaning two fluids, compressed air and the added liquid, are channeled to the nozzle to spray the liquid. All three varieties of spray nozzles (Fogging models 1703/1723, Atomizing models 1713/1733 and Humidifying models 1707/1727) are external mix nozzles. That is, the liquid and compressed air are mixed outside of the nozzle. To atomize liquid, all of our nozzles require 12 scfm (340 slpm) of compressed air at 80 to 100 psig (5.5 to 6.9 bar). 

Other types of spray nozzles available from competitors include “single fluid nozzles” where the pressure of the liquid is used to atomize the fluid. These nozzles require no compressed air but instead operate with high liquid pressure. If the liquid that needs to be sprayed is not under high pressure, a two-fluid nozzle will generally be needed.

Vortec’s spray nozzles do not siphon the liquid that they are spraying. The liquid (for example, a disinfectant) is stored in a container and then gravity fed to the spray nozzles. The liquid can also be pressurized up to a maximum of 20 psig (1.4 bar). Do not exceed 20 psig liquid pressure. Once the liquid has reached the spray nozzle (via hard piping or flexible hose), the flow rate can be controlled with an adjustment knob on the spray nozzle. The maximum recommended liquid flow rates for our nozzles are:

• Fogging nozzle models 1703/1723             .5 gallons per minute
• Humidifying nozzle models 1707/1727     .5 gallons per minute
• Atomizing nozzle models 1713/ 1733       .25 gallons per minute

For sanitization purposes, we recommend either the fogging or humidifying nozzles, as they produce the smallest droplet sizes (20 - 60 microns for the fogging models, and 20 - 200 microns for the humidifying models). These models are recommended for spraying disinfectants with low viscosities, similar to that of water. The fogging nozzles produce a long and narrow spray pattern: up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) long and up to 30” (76cm) in diameter. Our humidifying nozzles, on the other hand, produce a shorter spray pattern with a width that is adjustable depending on the flow rate of the liquid through it. At the minimum flow rate of .1 gpm, the width of the hollow cone spray pattern is 80” (203cm) at 12” (30cm) away. At the maximum flow rate of .25 gpm the humidifying nozzle produces a conical spray pattern that is 30” wide (76cm) at 12” (30cm) away. Therefore, on the humidifying nozzle, as the liquid flow rate increases, the spray pattern's width decreases.

We do not recommend our atomizing nozzles for producing small droplet sizes. Instead, they produce large droplets with a long, narrow spray pattern.

Want to see our spray nozzles in action? Watch the video below!