dISINFECTING EQUIPMENT
Wet Foggers/Misters
Foggers/Misters work by mechanical action, using air pressure and specialized nozzles to deliver very small droplets to surfaces.
Advantages
- Lower in cost than other types of fogging, electrostatic equipment
- Readily available at many retail outlets
Disadvantages
- Often lack precision metering
- Potential for wetting, fallout, and staining to occur to moisture sensitive surfaces
- The droplet size is typically larger, which may prevent them from penetrating smaller spaces/crevices
- Passively deposit droplets on surfaces based on the direction of spray and the effect of gravity, which may result in uneven coverage
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Electrostatic Sprayers
Uses an electrostatic applicator that gives a negative charge to the disinfecting solution as
it exits the nozzle.
Advantages
- Delivers charged droplets that are actively attracted to surfaces, including the back sides and crevices of surfaces regardless of the direction of spray for complete wrap-around disinfection coverage
- Allows for a more efficient and effective treatment process
Disadvantages
- Costly
ULV Foggers
These are dry foggers that produce smaller droplets than wet foggers/misters.
Advantages
- ULVs can be adjusted to generate droplets in the 7 – 15 micron size range
- Droplets can stay suspended in air for hours instead of a few minutes as with a wet
fogger/mister
- Chance of over-wetting materials is greatly reduced when compared with wet foggers
Disadvantages
- Coverage typically dependent on direction of nozzle
- Small particles evaporate more quickly, potentially reducing contact time and are more susceptible to air movement
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Thermal Fogging Devices
Thermal foggers are machines that utilize heat to change liquids into small droplets. These
droplets condense when introduced into a cooler atmosphere.
Advantages
- Thermal foggers can produce droplets as small as 0.5 microns up to 2 microns in size
- Thermal fog droplets have great penetration and permeation properties
- Allows for quicker treatment process
- Ideal for outdoor applications
Disadvantages
- Thermal foggers may use combustible fuel and care needs to be taken when using
- Typically utilizes petroleum based solutions, which are best suited for outdoor use
Differences Between Thermal and ULV Fogging
The principle difference between ULV and thermal fogging is the thermal generation
process produces a smaller and more consistent droplet size. Thermal fogging produces a
dry or damp fog as opposed to the wet ULV aerosol.
