Atomising

Atomising refers to the process of breaking down a bulk substance into a fine spray of tiny droplets. This transformation is achieved through various mechanical or physical methods, creating a large surface area to volume ratio for the substance. The term originates from the Greek word "atomos," meaning indivisible, reflecting the idea of breaking something into its smallest possible parts, though in this context, it means creating very fine particles or droplets.

In many industrial and scientific applications, atomising is crucial. For instance, in internal combustion engines, fuel is atomised into air to ensure efficient combustion. In agriculture, pesticides and herbicides are atomised to cover crops evenly and effectively. In pharmaceuticals, atomising is used in inhalers to deliver medication directly to the lungs as fine droplets. Spray drying, a common method for producing powders from liquids, also relies on atomising the liquid feed before it is dried. The effectiveness of atomisation is often measured by the size and distribution of the resulting droplets, which can be controlled by the specific atomising method employed, such as pressure nozzles, ultrasonic nebulizers, or rotary atomizers.