March 18, 2025
How Torrent Washers™ Deliver Superior Results with Less Waste

By Randy Bloom
Spray washers typically use flat spray pattern (V-Jet) nozzles to maximize impingement in the cleaning stage. V- Jet nozzles are available in various flow rates and spray angles at a given nozzle pressure.
In a conventional washer, fixed nozzles are arrayed on spray risers parallel to the vertical axis of the part. Vertical nozzle spacing is determined by the nozzle angle and spaced in a manner to provide full spray coverage over the height of the part. The solution sprayed from a V-Jet nozzle has a “cleaning radius” which is 1.68 times the effective outlet diameter of the nozzle (De). Soils and debris located at a distance greater than 1.68De from the center of the nozzle fan pattern are generally considered irremovable by a specific nozzle.
The fixed nozzle design relies on the conveyor of a continuous moving system to provide relative motion between the nozzles and the part, thereby providing repeated and consistent impingement of the solution on the surface of the part as it passes in front of successive spray risers and nozzles.
Spray riser spacing is typically a function of conveyor speed. The number of risers is determined by the conveyor speed and the required dwell time in a particular process stage. The spray volume (pump capacity) for any particular stage is simply determined:
Pump Capacity (GPM) = No. of Risers x No. of Nozzles per Riser x GPM per nozzle
In order to get full coverage on the vertical axis of the part (nozzles per riser) and the required dwell time (number of risers), the pump sizes for conventional washers can get quite large.
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