Feature Report: Spray Technology Fundamentals & Applications: Game Winning Strategies

Spray technology is a powerful tool used to achieve higher levels of overall process performance. Strategic decisions in selecting and employing spray technology can yield dramatic wins. Understanding sprays, drop size, and the strengths and characteristics of nozzle types and correctly positioning them are fundamental to the desired process "response" or result. The selection of a nozzle is a tactical move that influences the outcome, and is certainly more than just "choosing a spray nozzle." Misconceptions often limit how well we practice the art and science of engineering. Without state-of-the-art knowledge of fundamentals and "rules-of-thumb," the technology can be misapplied. The intents of this article are to debunk some misconceptions or overgeneralizations that cause unresolved design conflicts and to provide the fundamentals to enable better spray application. In many applications in the chemical process industries (CPI), sprays determine performance. By creating a large droplet surface area, sprays are used to generate the high rates of heat and mass transfer that is necessary in spray drying, liquid waste incineration, and spray quenching applications. Understanding the subtleties of drop…