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.
