Sumuttaja

Sumuttaja is a device designed to apply liquids as a fine mist over surfaces or through air. In Finnish usage, sumuttaja commonly refers to sprayers used in agriculture, horticulture, and sanitation, as well as atomizers for fragrances and cosmetics.

A typical sumuttaja comprises a reservoir, a pumping mechanism (manual lever or electric motor), a spray nozzle or nozzle set, and a wand or spray lance. Some models use compressed air or a built-in pump to generate pressure. There are handheld, backpack, and mounted variants, as well as specialized mist or fogging units for greenhouses and urban sanitation.

Operation relies on pressurized liquid passing through a nozzle to break it into droplets. Droplet size depends on nozzle design, pressure, and flow rate; finer droplets provide more uniform coverage but can increase drift risk, while larger droplets reduce drift but may yield uneven coverage.

Uses include applying pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, foliar nutrients, and disinfectants. In agriculture, sumuttajat are common for crop protection and greenhouse spraying; in public health and buildings, they are used for sanitization and disinfection. Regulations emphasize correct calibration, following product labels, use of personal protective equipment, and minimizing environmental impact related to drift and runoff.

Variants include manual pump sprayers, electric backpack sprayers, sprayer wands for pruning, misting and fogging sprayers, and drone-based sprayers for large fields.

Maintenance involves thorough cleaning after use, especially when handling chemicals; flushing hoses and nozzles; inspecting seals and gaskets; storing upright and protected; and replacing worn nozzles to maintain spray quality.