Spray nozzle insert and method for reducing wear in spray nozzles

In combination with a spray nozzle for atomizing a two fluid mixture, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a first-fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the first and second fluid inlets with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, an improved nozzle insert removably received in the atomization port, the nozzle insert having an interior fluid-conveying passage therethrough, the interior fluid-conveying passage being fluidly connected to the first fluid inlet and having at least one second fluid flow passage for admitting a second fluid into the interior fluid-conveying passage for mixing with a first fluid therein, the nozzle insert having a spray outlet at the downstream end thereof, the improvement comprising said nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, which forms the interior fluid-conveying passage, and a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, the insert sleeve having a downstream end which forms the spray outlet of the nozzle insert.

A spray dryer containing at least one spray nozzle in a spray drying chamber, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a first-fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the first and second fluid inlets with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, an improved nozzle insert removably received in the atomization port, the nozzle insert having an interior fluid-conveying passage therethrough, the interior fluid-conveying passage being fluidly connected to the first fluid inlet and having at least one second fluid flow passage for admitting a second fluid into the interior fluid-conveying passage for mixing with a first fluid therein, the nozzle insert having a spray outlet at the downstream end thereof, the improvement comprising said nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, which forms the interior fluid-conveying passage, and a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, the insert sleeve having a downstream end which forms the spray outlet of the nozzle insert.

A method of increasing the life of a nozzle insert used in a spray nozzle that atomizes a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the first and second fluid inlets with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, comprising the steps of:

• (a) removably securing the nozzle insert in the atomization port, the nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, which forms an interior fluid-conveying passage, and a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, the insert sleeve having a downstream end which forms a spray outlet of the nozzle insert;
• (b) pumping the mixture through the interior fluid-conveying passage and out of the spray outlet.

An improved nozzle insert for use in an atomization spray nozzle, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the fluid inlet with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, the improved nozzle insert adapted to be removably received in the atomization port, the improved nozzle insert having an interior fluid-conveying passage fluidly connectable with the fluid inlet, the nozzle insert having a spray outlet at a downstream end thereof, the improvement comprising said nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, which forms the interior fluid-conveying passage, and a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, the insert sleeve having a downstream end which forms the spray outlet of the nozzle insert.

An improved nozzle insert for use in a spray nozzle for atomizing a two fluid mixture, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and means fluidly connecting the first and second fluid inlets with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, the improved nozzle insert adapted to be removably received in the atomization port, the improved nozzle insert having an interior fluid-conveying passage therethrough, the interior fluid-conveying passage being fluidly connectable with the first fluid inlet and having at least one second fluid flow passage for admitting a second fluid into the interior fluid-conveying passage for mixing with a first fluid therein, the nozzle insert having a spray outlet at a downstream end thereof, the improvement comprising said nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, and means disposed between the cooperating insert sleeve and the insert retaining means for absorbing shock between the insert sleeve and the insert retaining means.

In combination with a spray nozzle for atomizing a two fluid mixture, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a first-fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the first and second fluid inlets with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, an improved nozzle insert removably received in the atomization port, the nozzle insert having an interior fluid-conveying passage therethrough, the interior fluid-conveying passage being fluidly connected to the first fluid inlet and having at least one second fluid flow passage for admitting a second fluid into the interior fluid-conveying passage for mixing with a first fluid therein, the nozzle insert having a spray outlet at the downstream end thereof, the improvement comprising said nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, and means disposed between the cooperating insert sleeve and the insert retaining means for absorbing shock between the insert sleeve and the insert retaining means.

A spray dryer containing at least one spray nozzle in a spray drying chamber, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a first-fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the first and second fluid inlets with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, an improved nozzle insert removably received in the atomization port, the nozzle insert having an interior fluid-conveying passage therethrough, the interior fluid-conveying passage being fluidly connected to the first fluid inlet and having at least one second fluid flow passage for admitting a second fluid into the interior fluid-conveying passage for mixing with a first fluid therein, the nozzle insert having a spray outlet at the downstream end thereof, the improvement comprising said nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, and means disposed between the cooperating insert sleeve and the insert retaining means for absorbing shock between the insert sleeve and the insert retaining means.

A method of increasing the life of a nozzle insert used in a spray nozzle that atomizes a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the first and second fluid inlets with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, comprising the steps of:

• (a) removably securing the nozzle insert in the atomization port, the nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, which forms an interior fluid-conveying passage, a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, and means disposed between the cooperating insert sleeve and the insert retaining means for absorbing shock between the insert sleeve and the insert retaining means;
• (b) pumping the mixture through the interior fluid-conveying passage and out of the spray nozzle.

An improved nozzle insert for use in an atomization spray nozzle, the spray nozzle having a hollow body with a fluid inlet and means fluidly connecting the fluid inlet with at least one atomization port in a forward face of the spray nozzle, the improved nozzle insert adapted to be removably received in the atomization port, the improved nozzle insert having an interior fluid-conveying passage fluidly connectable with the fluid inlet, the nozzle insert having a spray outlet at a downstream end thereof, the improvement comprising said nozzle insert having an insert sleeve, a separable insert retaining means for cooperating with the insert sleeve to secure the insert sleeve in the spray nozzle, and means disposed between the cooperating insert sleeve and the insert retaining means for absorbing shock between the insert sleeve and the insert retaining means.