Carsten Burk, Product Manager at Danfoss, explains how this expansion into water application solutions represents the next logical step on the company’s decarbonization journey. “A few years ago, we started developing the next generation of a future-ready portfolio of nozzles for water spray applications and pumps for liquid, low-carbon fuels,” he says. “Today, that portfolio includes preheaters, fuel pumps, nozzles, and ignition units. And now, our new nozzle program consists of a wide range of water nozzles designed for all water-based fluids.”
While the Danfoss water nozzles might appear relatively new to the market, the technology and expertise behind them are not. “Over the past 75 years, we’ve produced over 250,000,000 oil nozzles, and over the past 25 years - a considerable number of nozzles for water applications as well - all recognized by customers through our values of precision, performance and efficiency”, Carsten Burk says. “We know what it takes to produce a repeatable, high-quality spray pattern and optimize spraying performance. And those same characteristics apply whether you’re spraying oil or water.” For example, Danfoss has developed the new water nozzles based on the same atomization principle it uses with its oil nozzles and utilizes the experience gained over the last 75 years from more than 250,000,000 nozzles. This principle ensures an even spray pattern and the right balance between spray angle by applying the associated pressure. The water nozzles are also protected with a SnNi coating, which makes them highly resistant to corrosion.
Rather than relying solely on its experience, Danfoss chose to partner directly with customers when designing the new generation of water nozzle. This way, we could ensure we developed products that meet the market’s diverse needs. “We’ve worked closely with our customers on developing and testing the water nozzles, and we’ve adjusted the products based on their feedback,” explains Carsten Burk. The result is a customizable line of water nozzles, which customers can adjust to their unique demands.
Currently, there are two nozzle families: the Classic HX, which is an upgraded version of our traditional water nozzles and the new elegant Slimline, with the main difference being the outer appearance including the nozzles’ connection threads. The HX nozzle is approved for a pressure of 40 bar – increase to 80 bars, available in Q4 2023 – while the Slimline is already approved up to a pressure of 80 bar. “Our water nozzles suit a range of applications, from agriculture and adiabatic cooling to disinfection and humidification,” he says. “For example, the HX nozzle is used mainly for wood drying in large kilns, dust suppression, snow gun’s, adiabatic cooling and pest control, and the Slimline nozzles are well-suited for outdoor cooling, such as restaurant patios and other outdoor areas.” Customers can also use the Slimline nozzle for cooling chillers, so hot air is cooled down by approximately 10°C before entering the ventilating plant. This is a cost-saving feature, beneficial also for the environment, as the system uses less energy to cool the air.
Going forward, Carsten Burk says Danfoss will continue to work with customers to develop green solutions based on its well-proven nozzle technology. “We view this technology as a critical part of our decarbonization journey, and we will keep expanding our future-ready portfolio of nozzles for water spray applications and pumps for liquid low-carbon fuels.”