Spray nozzles

A method of maintaining a spray pattern of at least one fluid sprayed by a nozzle into a fluid stream of a vessel and inhibiting erosion of the nozzle, comprising the steps of:

• providing a spray nozzle for discharging at least one fluid in a spray pattern into the vessel, wherein the spray nozzle comprises an inlet member defining at least one inlet conduit for receiving at least one fluid, and an outlet member in fluid communication with the inlet member, the outlet member defining an exterior surface and a plurality of apertures angularly spaced relative to each other about an axis of the outlet member;
• introducing a fluid stream into the vessel;
• providing a plurality of boss members, each boss member fitting within a respective aperture and defining an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the at least one inlet conduit having a length (L) and a diameter (D) and an axially extending wall, wherein the axially extending wall extends outwardly a length (X) greater than about ⅛ inch relative to the exterior surface and L/D is at least about ½.

A spray nozzle for discharging at least one fluid in a spray pattern into a fluid stream in a vessel, wherein the nozzle alters the flow patterns of the fluid stream in the vicinity of the nozzle to inhibit erosion of the nozzle and maintain the spray pattern, the nozzle comprising:

• an inlet defining at least one inlet conduit;
• and
• an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet defining an exterior surface and two wall members forming a single continuous boss around a central axis of the outlet, the continuous boss defining a plurality of outlet apertures having a length (L) and a diameter (D) angularly spaced relative to each other about the central axis of the outlet and in fluid communication with the at least one inlet conduit, wherein the wall members extend outwardly a length (X) greater than about ⅛ inch relative to the exterior surface and L/D is at least about ½.