GLOSSARY OF TERMS: Spray Optimization

AIR ATOMIZATION: Breaking a spray into small droplets using compressed air.

CLOGGING: A restriction of flow due to internal buildup in or near the nozzle orifice.

COVERAGE: A spray pattern’s contact surface.

DESCALING: Removing a rust-type layer from the outer surfaces of red-hot steel with high-impact sprays.

DROP SIZE: The measurement of a droplet’s diameter.

DUST CONTROL: Using spray nozzles to remove foreign particles from the air near mines, cotton gins, paper processes.

FLAT SPRAY: A spray pattern that produces elliptical coverage.

FLOWRATE: The amount of liquid or gas allowed to pass from a nozzle in a given time frame.

FULL CONE: A spray pattern that produces circular coverage.

GAS CONDITIONING: Using liquid sprays to cool exhaust gases and precipitate particles out of a gas stream.

HOLLOW CONE: A spray pattern that produces annular coverage.

HUMIDIFICATION: Spraying water into the air to control cooling of large spaces.

IMPACT: A measure of spray force that impinges on a surface.

LUBRICATION: Spray application of oils in the stamping industry.

PWM FLOW CONTROL: A method of controlling an automatic spray nozzle’s flowrate by opening and closing it very quickly.

SOLID STREAM: A pencil thin, highly concentrated spray pattern.

SPRAY DRYING: Spraying a fine mist into a hot gas stream to produce a powder.

TANK CLEANING: Cleaning the internal surfaces of a vessel, typically with high-impact spray nozzles.

WEAR LIFE: Length of time a nozzle will last before a predetermined flowrate is exceeded.

The terms and definitions for this issue’s Word Search come from a glossary of terms compiled by Spraying Systems Co. (www.spray.com), a designer and manufacturer of industrial spray solutions, including nozzles and accessories, spray controllers, and spray analysis and research services.