How to prevent clogging spray nozzles?
1: Choose the correct free-passage diameter
Each spray nozzle has a free-passage diameter specification which indicates how large the orifice is. In order to determine which free-passage diameter you need, you should first define the droplet size of the liquid you wish to spray. A general rule is to choose a free-passage diameter which is 2-3 times larger than the largest particle size. Filtered water has a smaller droplet size than unfiltered water for instance. If the free-passage diameter is too large compared to the particle size, it can cause issues such as less uniform spray distribution, lower impact force and higher water consumption.
2: Clean your spray nozzles frequently
By frequently cleaning your spray nozzles you can prevent small deposits from building up into blockages. Tiny particles such as dirt, rust, sand, or process residues can become trapped inside the nozzle. In addition, hard water contains dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium which can form scale inside the nozzle. However, cleaning your spray nozzles usually does not solve the root cause of clogging.
3: Use purified water
Purified water it contains fewer dissolved minerals, suspended particles, and biological contaminants than untreated water. With fewer impurities flowing through the nozzle, there is less chance of deposits forming or passages becoming blocked.
4: Choose an anti-clog spray nozzle
If you experience frequent issues with clogging spray nozzles, it might be time consider switching to an anti-clog spray nozzle. Anti-clog spray nozzles are particularly useful when the liquid being sprayed contains a lot of particulates, high viscosity fluids or unpure water.
Anti-clog spray nozzles
What makes a spray nozzles anti-clog?
Due to the whirler, keeping the liquid in a spinning motion, full cone shaped spray nozzles are more likely to clog than hollow cone and flat fan spray nozzles.
The whirler is the bottleneck in the liquid passage of the full cone spray nozzle and where clogging can occur. There are several types of whirlers such as X-shaped, disc-shaped, and spiral shaped. The X-shaped whirler has the largest free passage diameter and therefore has the least risk of clogging.
Which of our hydraulic hollow cone spray nozzle models are less likely to clog
The hollow cone spray nozzles AAP, TAA series, and the full cone spray nozzles AJP series and UZU have no whirler or other obstructions in the nozzle interiors and are therefore the most clog-resistant. For KB, the KBN variation features a larger orifice diameter, about 1.3–2.6 times the size compared to the conventional KB models. This makes it significantly more clog-resistant. The hollow cone KKBB model has a unique whirler design with large free passage diameter which minimizes clogging. The full cone spray nozzles JJXP, TJJX, BBXP, NJJP and SSXP all have an X-shaped whirler provides a large free
passage diameter, minimizing clogging.
Which of our fine atomizing spray nozzle models are less likely to clog
Pneumatic spray nozzles have a larger free passage diameter than hydraulic spray nozzles, which is effective for clog prevention. There are three types of air-liquid mixing systems for atomizing liquid: internal mixing type, external mixing type, and impinging type. Out of these, the external mixing type is the least likely to clog as the mixing takes place outside the nozzle. Out of our pneumatic spray nozzles, the SETO series are the most clog resistant including SETO-SD, SETOV, SETO-SP, SETOJet and SETOV-C.
Related articles
Stay updated: Ikeuchi news & insights
"*" indicates required fields
Get expert advice:
contact us today
Would you like to know what Ikeuchi can do for your organization? We’re happy to discuss your needs and show how we can solve your challenges. You’ll receive a response from us within 24 hours!
"*" indicates required fields
Call us: +31 (0) 20 820 2175
- Global presence and experience
- The number 1 nozzle manufacturer in Japan
- Japanese Precision Technology