FlowNozzle

FlowNozzle is a class of adjustable-flow nozzles used in fluid dynamics research and process engineering. It combines a converging-diverging channel with a variable throat, enabling precise control of velocity, pressure drop, and flow profile. The device is designed for subsonic operation and compatibility with liquids and gases across a range of pressures.

The core feature is a throat whose effective diameter is changed by an actuator, allowing rapid adjustments during experiments or online control. An integrated sensor suite provides differential pressure, temperature, and sometimes flow velocity, while the nozzle body is constructed from corrosion-resistant materials to withstand industrial fluids. Optional inline flow conditioners help stabilize entering flow.

Operating principle: flow through the nozzle creates a calibrated pressure drop that relates to volumetric flow rate through geometry and flow coefficients. In incompressible regimes, flow rate is approximated from delta P and throat size; for compressible flows, corrections are applied. The nozzle can shape the velocity profile to promote mixing or laminarization, depending on settings.

Applications: FlowNozzles are used for precision metering in research rigs, CFD model validation, spray and injector testing, chemical processing, and flow conditioning for reactors or heat exchangers. Micro- or nano-scale variants are explored for lab-on-a-chip and microfluidic experiments.

History and status: the concept emerged in fluid dynamics literature in the 2010s as a flexible alternative to fixed orifices and Venturi meters. While several academic prototypes exist, FlowNozzle is not a standard commercial product; implementations vary by institution and are typically customized.