There are many different types of misting nozzles available that should cater for all budgets as well as the various misting requirements that there may be. Whenever a product is developed that is found to provide a great deal of benefits there are always attempts to improve it or to change it slightly to offer a possible alternative.
Misting nozzles have been found to be very useful in the agricultural field in greenhouses and for protecting animals against brutally hot days. These mist systems have also been used in big industries such as the mining industry for dust suppression and the waste management industry to suppress odors.
The mist nozzle is the vitally important part in the smooth operation of the misting system. The size of the mist nozzle hole regulates the size of the water droplets that get released. The smaller the hole, the greater the water pressure and the smaller the water droplets. This makes the system much more efficient and also means that the vital flash evaporation will take place as required.
The most common type of nozzle is the brass nozzle and it is a sturdy little unit. Brass nozzles can withstand the force under which the system will be operating. Cheaper plastic misting nozzles are also available but there have been reports that these nozzles do not stand up to the regular usage before beginning to leak. Another type of nozzle that has been getting a lot of interest is the steel nozzle with the ceramic center. The ceramic piece is able to produce a far finer mist than the plastic and brass nozzles.
Work out the size of the water droplets you require for the job that has to be done before you buy your misting nozzles. The smaller the hole in the nozzle is, the finer the mist that will be produced. For an effective cooling system that won’t create a wet surrounding you will want nozzles with orifices as small as 0.2mm (0.008”).
In agriculture misting systems have proven to be very beneficial to the farmer, particularly when trying to keep livestock cool on warm days. It has been found that animals that are placed under heat stress don’t put on as much weight as those animals that are kept comfortable. When the weight of an animal determines the price the farmer is going to get for it, there is a big incentive to ensure the animals are kept cool. A misting system placed in the fields on hot days provides a chance for the animals to remain cool.
Dairy farmers have known for a long time that the cooler the cow remains, the higher the production of milk. It has been common practice for cows to be hosed down in the feed lines before they are milked but this does not create a healthy environment with a constantly damp milking shed. Misting fans lowers the temperature perfectly while keeping the surroundings nice and dry. Milk production is increased and costs remain roughly the same.
Greenhouse Mister Systems
Greenhouse misting systems are used to control the humidity as well as the temperature inside the greenhouse. Humidity control is vitally important because if it gets too dry inside the greenhouse the moisture can be lost from the plants very quickly. A misting system that operates automatically will ensure that conditions are perfectly maintained to promote strong plant growth at all times.
Should the humidity level in the greenhouse drop below 30 per cent the growing process could be severely hampered. By using a greenhouse misting system you are able to cool the temperature as well as increase the humidity level in the air while not adding to the wetness within the greenhouse itself. This is an important factor because if the greenhouse is constantly wet there could be a problem with mosses and mold growth that would result in an unhealthy environment for all to exist in.
Greenhouse mister systems are available in a range of strengths that will suit areas of different sizes as well as growing conditions that must be controlled and maintained. The greenhouse misting nozzles can be set in a number of different ways. The first may be using a suspended misting system in which the nozzles are attached to a misting tube or pipe that is suspended from the ceiling. When the misting system is in operation the mist flows down over the entire greenhouse. Another method is a rail misting system that works much like the suspended system except that the misting pipes are positioned on vertical rails that do not move providing for consistent and even coverage. A free standing misting system consists of misting nozzles at the top of a series of risers. These risers may be positioned where the mist is required at any given time. This system allows the entire misting system to be moved and adjusted as the needs within the greenhouse change.
Quality misting systems for greenhouses play a vital role in ensuring the high production yields that are expected from a well operated commercial greenhouse.
Misting For Dust Suppression
Dust suppression is another important function of a misting system. The mining industry has employed various types of water spray systems to control the dust on their sites. A dust control spray is a carefully judged thing with it necessary to match the size of the fugitive dust with the size of the water droplets. The efficiency of the system is maximized when both the dust and water are evenly matched.
Misting For Insect Control
Misting systems are also used as an insect extermination system. In places where mosquito numbers are out of control it is possible to place a misting system around a property as a method of controlling numbers. These systems are relatively safe although the toxins will affect all insects, harmful as well as beneficial equally. Mosquito misting systems can be effective but sometimes removing the conditions that allow mosquitoes to breed can be just as effective.
The use of tiny water droplets can be extended to the control of pests by the application of insecticides mixed with the water. An insect misting system operates in much the same way as any other mister.
Auto mist systems have been used on properties to control insects such as flies and mosquitoes for quite a few years now. Products like the Auto Mist Insect Control System provide you with a method of controlling pests in a small outdoor area efficiently and automatically.
These systems can be used by livestock owners to control flies to reduce the incidence of disease around barns and stables. Commercial applications might use an insect misting system around dumpsters at businesses that deal with food or perishable items or at garbage transfer stations to control populations of flies and other insects.
In more of a domestic situation a misting system may be used in the backyard to control a problematic mosquito population. This may be used instead of trying to manage with bug zappers or citronella candles that provide only a very limited sphere of insect control. A domestic automated misting system could be used with a timer and will operate with no added maintenance apart from the initial installation. It is possible to get insecticides that are safe for children and pets.
The types of insecticide products that the EPA mentions are most often used in outdoor residential misting systems are those that contain pyrethrins and permethrins as well as piperonyl butoxide. The EPA has also clarified the types of pesticides that it considers minimal risk pesticides that are safe to use in mosquito misters, visit the EPA website to see the fact sheet listing minimum risk pesticides.
Finally outdoor misting systems for temperature control – both domestic and commercial – have taken off in recent years. Restaurants have been using these misting systems for their patrons for some time. The misters are placed near outdoor tables so that diners can sit in cool comfort on hot days. In a similar way, athletes make use of misting fans when they play in unseasonably warm temperatures.
Outdoor Mist Systems
Domestically, outdoor misting systems, or patio misting systems as they are sometimes called, have only recently gained popularity. These systems can be installed around an area such as a patio and, when they are in operation, can lower the temperature by around 20 degrees, higher in climates with low humidity. It’s worth paying a little extra for good quality misting nozzles as well as a pump to provide higher water pressure. As long as the system is maintained and blockages in the nozzles are avoided, or at least treated properly, the mister will continue to change the backyard conditions from unbearable to pleasant.
As with so many good ideas, a lot of companies have entered the market offering products that look to be incredible bargains that buyers should be wary of. A good patio mist system will operate reliably thanks to the quality of the components that make it up. This means misting nozzles made of sturdy metals such as brass and misting lines that will not split or crack. You will also find that the most effective patio mister will operate with the aid of a pump that is generating water pressure of up to 1000 psi.
An outdoor mister that is available for only $30 to $40 is going to be of questionable quality at best. If you buy one of these systems your expectations should not be set too high that it will be operating for the entire summer or the next without some kind of leaking taking place around the water misting nozzles.
While high cost does not guarantee a system that will not fail it will certainly provide you with a misting system that is expected to operated to a high standard. It is also more likely that should the system fail you will be able to find replacement parts reasonably easily.
Water misting nozzles and the misting systems that they power are very valuable little devices. There are many different industries in which they play a vital role, improving safety as well as profit margins.