Spray Nozzle Types
Industrial spray nozzles are grouped by the shape of the spray they produce: full cone, hollow cone, flat fan, solid stream, mist, air atomizing, spiral and specialised arrangements. The right type depends on the application, the coverage you need, the liquid, the available pressure and flow, and how the nozzle is installed.
Design, pattern, conditions and application are different questions.
A nozzle family name usually describes the spray pattern. The pattern alone does not decide the right product: the same pattern is available in different sizes, materials and connections, and its spray angle, flow and droplet size change with pressure.
Nozzle design
How the nozzle is built: orifice, internal vane, deflector, spiral, or a separate air supply.
Spray pattern
The shape of the spray and how liquid lands on the target: round, ring, strip or a concentrated point.
Operating characteristics
Pressure, flow and droplet size. These depend on the specific model and operating conditions.
Application suitability
Whether the pattern, droplet size, materials and connection suit the process and the site.
Spray pattern overview
All illustrations are schematic, not performance data.
The Synergy Spray range by spray pattern.
Each card links to the existing product family page with models, materials and FAQs.
Full cone nozzles
Liquid leaves the orifice as a cone filled with droplets; the impact area is a round area covered across its whole width.
Common applications: Cooling, washing, dust suppression, gas scrubbing
Hollow cone nozzles
Droplets are concentrated at the outer edge of the cone; the impact area is a ring with little liquid at its centre.
Common applications: Cooling, washing and rinsing, gas scrubbing, dust pre-wetting
Flat fan nozzles
Liquid leaves a slotted orifice as a flat, fan-shaped sheet; the impact area is a long, narrow strip.
Common applications: Surface cleaning, chemical application, degreasing and rinsing, coating
Jet (solid stream) nozzles
Liquid leaves as a straight, solid stream with very little spread; impact is concentrated on a small area.
Common applications: High-impact cleaning and concentrated spraying
Spiral nozzles
Liquid strikes a helical spiral and peels off in concentric sheets, which together form a cone-shaped spray.
Common applications: Gas scrubbing, cooling, fire protection
Air atomizing nozzles
Separate liquid and compressed-air supplies meet at the nozzle to form fine droplets; the spray shape depends on the selected air cap or model.
Common applications: Coating, humidification, cooling, dust control with fine droplets
Mist and fogging nozzles
Liquid is broken into very fine droplets forming a soft mist; the edge of the coverage is diffuse rather than sharp.
Common applications: Dust suppression, evaporative cooling, humidification, odour control
Tank cleaning nozzles
Several outlets direct liquid in different directions so the spray reaches the internal surfaces of a tank or vessel.
Common applications: Cleaning internal surfaces of tanks and vessels
Water curtain nozzles
Liquid is discharged as a wide, continuous sheet that forms a curtain across an opening or surface.
Common applications: Structural exposure protection and fire safety
Wind air jet nozzles
Compressed air or steam leaves the nozzle as a concentrated, directed jet, for example for blow-off, drying or cleaning.
Common applications: Blow-off, drying, cooling, moving lightweight parts
Tank mixing eductors
A pressurised motive flow draws surrounding liquid through the eductor, so the discharge moves more liquid than is pumped and keeps the tank contents circulating.
Common applications: Mixing and agitation of liquids in tanks
Compare the geometry, not a ranking.
General characteristics only. Spray angle, flow and droplet size depend on the selected model and conditions.
| Spray pattern | Spray geometry | Coverage on target | Common application types | Selection considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full cone | Cone filled with droplets | Round area, covered across | Cooling, washing, dust suppression, gas scrubbing | Coverage diameter at the target distance; even distribution needed |
| Hollow cone | Cone with droplets at the edge | Ring | Cooling, washing and rinsing, gas scrubbing, dust pre-wetting | Whether liquid is needed at the centre of the area |
| Flat fan | Flat, fan-shaped sheet | Narrow strip | Surface cleaning, chemical application, degreasing and rinsing, coating | Overlap between neighbouring nozzles on a header; impact on the surface |
| Solid stream (jet) | Straight jet, little spread | Small, concentrated | High-impact cleaning and concentrated spraying | Impact required and distance to the target |
| Spiral | Concentric sheets forming a cone | Round area of rings | Gas scrubbing, cooling, fire protection | Free passage needed for the liquid; spray angle |
| Air atomizing | Liquid atomized by compressed air | Round or flat, by model | Coating, humidification, cooling, dust control with fine droplets | Compressed air availability; droplet size required |
| Fine mist / fog | Very fine droplets | Soft-edged cloud | Dust suppression, evaporative cooling, humidification, odour control | Water quality and filtration; operating pressure |
| 360° tank cleaning | Several directions at once | All internal walls | Cleaning internal surfaces of tanks and vessels | Tank size, residue type and available pressure |
| Water curtain | Wide continuous sheet | Long continuous strip | Structural exposure protection and fire safety | Width of the opening or surface to protect |
| Air jet | Directed air or steam jet | Directed air stream | Blow-off, drying, cooling, moving lightweight parts | Air supply and the force needed at the target |
| Tank mixing eductor | Motive flow draws in surrounding liquid | Circulation in the tank | Mixing and agitation of liquids in tanks | Tank volume and the circulation needed |
Six inputs that narrow the choice.
- 01Define the objective
Cleaning, cooling, coating, humidifying, dust suppression, mixing or another process task.
- 02Describe the coverage
The area or line to cover, the distance from nozzle to target and whether liquid is needed evenly across the area.
- 03Know the liquid
Water or chemical, viscosity, solids and temperature. These affect the nozzle design and material.
- 04Check pressure and flow
The pressure and flow available at the nozzle, or the pump that will supply it.
- 05Plan the installation
Connection type and size, mounting, header spacing and access for maintenance.
- 06Consider the environment
Temperature, corrosion, abrasion and hygiene requirements, which guide the material choice.
Start from the process.
Technical guidance and FAQs
What are the main types of spray nozzles?
Spray nozzles are usually grouped by spray pattern: full cone, hollow cone, flat fan, solid stream (jet), mist and fog, air atomizing and spiral, plus specialised designs such as tank cleaning nozzles, water curtain nozzles, air jets and tank mixing eductors.
What is the difference between full cone and hollow cone nozzles?
A full cone nozzle fills a round area with droplets across its whole width. A hollow cone nozzle concentrates droplets in a ring at the edge of the spray, with little liquid at the centre.
When is a flat fan nozzle used?
Flat fan nozzles produce a narrow strip of coverage. They are often mounted in a row on a header so that neighbouring sprays overlap, for example for washing, rinsing or coating a moving surface.
What does an air atomizing nozzle do differently?
It uses compressed air together with the liquid to break the liquid into fine droplets. It needs a compressed-air supply, and the spray shape depends on the selected air cap or model.
Does pressure change the spray pattern?
Pressure affects flow, droplet size and spray angle, so the spray at the target can change with operating pressure. Model-specific data should be confirmed for your conditions.
Why do nozzles need maintenance?
Wear, blockage and deposits change the spray pattern and flow over time. Regular inspection and filtration help keep the spray consistent. See our maintenance and troubleshooting guide.
What information should I include in an enquiry?
The application, liquid, available pressure and flow, coverage and distance, connection type and size, material preference, quantity and any existing model number or drawing.
Let's define the right requirement.
Know the product? Request a quote. Working from a process problem? Share the details you have, such as the liquid, pressure, flow, coverage and installation, and our engineers will review it.