Professional Chemical Atomization
Atomisation is the process of turning a liquid into very fine droplets —a spray or a mist— by forcing it through a nozzle under pressure, with compressed air or by ultrasound. It is used in painting, combustion and spray drying and, in professional cleaning, to distribute disinfectants and other solutions evenly over surfaces and spaces.
Droplet size determines the result. A coarse spray, such as that of a trigger sprayer or a low-pressure backpack sprayer, deposits the liquid on the surface and wets it. Finer droplets stay in the air and reach less accessible areas, but they are also inhaled more easily and disperse beyond the point of application. When the droplets are so fine that they form a mist that fills an enclosed space, it is called fogging.
In cleaning, spraying serves to distribute the product evenly and with lower consumption than pouring it directly, and is usually combined with a contact time and mechanical action (cloth, brush) or rinsing. The fact that a product can be sprayed does not mean it is suitable for fogging: each product's application method, and the protective equipment required, are stated on its technical data sheet and its safety data sheet. With corrosive products, spraying increases exposure of the eyes and respiratory tract.
Instaquim products whose technical data sheet indicates application by spraying:
- InstaBact® DS (UNE-EN 13697 and UNE-EN 14476; registration 20-20/40-10631): ready-to-use disinfectant cleaner; applied neat by spraying, immersion or cloth and left to act for at least 5 minutes.
- Deplac (pH 1 %: 12.5): neat or diluted up to 10 %, sprayed onto griddles and ovens at about 70–80 °C; rinse with plenty of water.
- Gras Foam (pH 1 %: 12.2; 2–6 %): can be applied by spraying, foam projection, immersion or manually.