How to install a fogging system
You can create a fog system by forcing water through a high pressure pump unit that is connected to specialized fog nozzles. This creates micro fine water particles that will subsequently evaporate. It also helps to filter the incoming water since even small particles can clog the tiny fog nozzle heads. The ambient temperature can sometimes be reduced up to 35 degrees when using as an outdoor mist cooling system.
It must be noted that a fog system will require pressures of at least 70 bar (1000 psi) in order to provide the 3-5 micron sized droplets, usually required to provide the desired results.
Fog Systems are quite popular and have been in vogue for several years as an efficient and cost-effective means of environmental control. Fog systems have multiple applications, such as outdoor cooling, humidification, dust and odor control, special effects and livestock cooling.
As a matter of fact, fog cooling systems were first used during the 1950s by the livestock industry. The application thereafter spread to restaurants and much later, homeowners started using it. Since then, the popularity of fog systems has steadily grown.
For residential and restaurant patio cooling applications, the initial setup of a fog system requires the placement of a high pressure misting pump near a water source and the attachment of a fog line around the perimeter of the area to be cooled. As the fog evaporates the temperature of the surrounding area drops. The fog system lines should be placed at a suitable height (8-10ft.) to facilitate total evaporation. When properly designed and installed, the results can be extremely effective.
When all the water from the fog nozzle evaporates, the outside temperature can often times feel like air conditioning. Cooling fans can also be included if additional air circulation is required. Fog cooling systems use the flash evaporation technique to provide excellent cooling and can add humidification or dust suppression in domestic, commercial and industrial applications.
The ideal conditions for fog systems to produce optimum results are when the temperatures rise between 29°C to 46°C with low humidity levels. The effectiveness of the system with humidity between 40% and 90% is good but if humidity is below 40%, the performance is excellent with a drop in temperature to around 12°C.
A properly installed fog system should not cause any wetting of floors or external surfaces if set up correctly. In factories or workshops adequate ventilation must be available otherwise humidity levels will raise and complete evaporation will not occur.
DIY fog kit's have become very popular due to technological advances in equipment and fittings over the years. Only simple hand tools and some natural intelligence are required - apart from a power source and normal water supply. Operation, installation and maintenance manuals generally come along with most DIY kits or are available online.