EXAIR is a leader in engineered compressed air solutions and static elimination, and BETE is renowned for engineered spray nozzle and spraying systems. Ever since the merger, we have worked closely together to create a unique market appeal. In this blog, I wish to cover an important department of BETE, the Spray Lab.
The Spray Lab features a state-of-the-art research laboratory dedicated to focusing on complex challenges to support research and development efforts. We test, so that you can get accurate values for your process. BETE excels with high-quality nozzles for various spray applications, providing fit and function for our customers. Using advanced tools such as test stands, computer modeling, and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BETE’s Spray Lab improves confidence in the solutions it offers for your process.
Running the BETE’s Spray Lab, we have experts that can manage every aspect of a spraying system. Working closely with our clients to define their goals and limitations, they conduct physical tests to evaluate critical parameters such as droplet size, spray reach, and spray angle. BETE also can use advanced computational fluid dynamics software to simulate the behavior of the droplets that would integrate into the process. It can optimize the performance and find any shortfalls before manufacturing starts. With the manufacturing facility located adjacent to the lab, the design team works together with the production team to create tailored solutions. Overall, the Spray Lab offers a wide range of resources, allowing them to explore various types of applications and to evaluate the effectiveness of misting nozzles.
For more information about EXAIR and BETE, you can view our websites at www.EXAIR.com or www.BETE.com . We would be happy to hear from you.
Cleaning tanks that contain solids-heavy materials isn’t a simple rinse-and-go task. Whether it’s sediment-laden wastewater, mineral slurries, biomass, grain residues, or thick process byproducts, tanks with large particles demand a cleaning solution that won’t clog, wear out, or lose performance over time.
For these environments, traditional tank cleaning nozzles often struggle. Abrasive solids eat away spray orifices, large particles cause blockages, and performance drops quickly—leading to longer cleaning cycles and more downtime.
BETE HydroClaw Cleaning the inside of a Tank. Top Right Square is a zoom-in of an active spray pattern. Right Corner is an image of the HydroClaw Nozzle on a yellow background. The bottom of the image is an application photo in an industrial environment.
A Tough Nozzle for Tough Tank Cleaning Jobs
While originally designed for abrasive slurry applications, the BETE HydroClaw’s internal geometry makes it a natural fit for large-particle and solids-heavy tank cleaning.
Instead of forcing material through a tight orifice, the HydroClaw uses an open, deflected-flow pathway that:
Reduces particle impact on critical surfaces.
Allows larger solids to pass without clogging.
Maintains a consistent spray pattern even in dirty fluids.
For tanks with heavy buildup, sediment, or abrasive residue, this makes a massive difference.
Why Choose BETE?
With decades of engineering expertise and a focus on solving complex spraying challenges, BETE continues to be a leader in industrial nozzle technology. The HydroClaw is a perfect example of that innovation—purpose-built for the harshest environments.
If your current nozzles can’t keep up, or if your maintenance team is constantly pulling and replacing failed components, it may be time to upgrade to a solution designed for the real world.
TheBETE HydroClaw® isn’t a standard nozzle—it’s a strategic investment in efficiency, uptime, and long-term system reliability. For operations dealing with abrasive, particulate-heavy fluids, it delivers performance where it counts most.
If you’d like to explore whether the BETE HydroClaw® is the right fit for your tank cleaning application, reach out to an EXAIR Application Engineer at techelp@exair.com. They can help review your system, recommend the best approach, and ensure you’re choosing the most efficient and durable solution for your process.
EXAIR’s Super Air Knife harnesses compressed air to produce a streamlined sheet of high-velocity air, effectively enhancing various industrial processes. This compressed air interacts with surrounding ambient air, resulting in a significant entrainment ratio of 40:1, which greatly amplifies its efficiency in applications such as drying, cleaning, and cooling. The Super Air Knife is available in lengths from 3 inches to 108 inches and is offered in a range of materials, ensuring that there is a suitable option for nearly any operational requirement. It is particularly advantageous for use in scenarios where products on a conveyor system require cleaning, drying, or cooling, making the Super Air Knife an optimal solution for enhancing productivity and maintaining product quality in diverse manufacturing environments.
EXAIR’s Air Knives are an efficient and highly effective tool for blowoff, cooling, cleaning and drying in a myriad of manufacturing processes. To accommodate the wide variety of unique problems manufacturers face, EXAIR has the ability to customize and tailor Air Knives to different specifications. These Air Knife customizations can range from size, to shape, to material, custom mounting holes and dimensions. They are created to solve distinct manufacturing problems not already solved by the industry’s largest selection of Air Knives. For customers with space limitations, smaller lengths or skinnier profiles can be created. In situations where the knife may need to be installed in a very defined spot, special mounting brackets, or additional/custom sized air inlets can be provided to fit a current system. For applications where stock aluminum, stainless steel or PVDF won’t work, other material options such as CPVC or glass-filled PEEK thermoplastic have been used. Special marking requirements for tying knives to specific machines or critical processes can be accommodated. Unique shapes and profiles, such as double-sided or curved Air Knives, can also be the solution to certain specialized processes. Air Knives are available in Super, Standard and Full-Flow styles, and all versions are customizable to a customer’s specific needs. For help solving any specific blowoff problems, please contact an Application Engineer. All Air Knives are CE compliant, and prices start at $141.
The Super Air Knife is offered in a variety of materials, including aluminum, Type 303 and Type 316 stainless steel, as well as PVDF featuring Hastelloy bolts, making it suitable for highly corrosive environments. While there is a wide selection of off-the-shelf options that can be shipped the same day, not every application can be adequately addressed with standard products. EXAIR, which manages the entire manufacturing process at its facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, maintains significant oversight and flexibility in production. For applications that require more than what is available in stock, we are continuously crafting specialized, customized air knives designed to meet a diverse range of specifications and needs.
Our knives can be custom-manufactured to specific lengths if the standard sizes do not meet your application requirements. We will maintain the same design and size profile while tailoring the knife to the exact length you need, ensuring a perfect fit for your machinery. Additionally, if the dimensional profile of an existing knife is not appropriate for your needs, we have the ability to modify it accordingly. For instance, the Super Air Knife illustrated below features an exceptionally slim design that has been thoroughly optimized to achieve the smallest overall profile possible, demonstrating our commitment to precision and adaptability in our products.
All Super Air Knives are equipped with standard ¼ NPT air inlets and feature ¼-20 tapped holes along the bottom for mounting purposes. However, we recognize that this configuration may not be suitable for every specific application. To address this, we offer customized options that include tailored air inlets and additional mounting holes, allowing for seamless integration with any bespoke bracket. The accompanying image illustrates a modified stainless steel Super Air Knife, showcasing the extra mounting holes that have been precisely machined onto both ends, demonstrating our commitment to meeting diverse customer needs.
We provide a diverse range of knives not only in various shapes and sizes as part of our special offerings but also in stock lengths crafted from a variety of materials. Featured below are two unique knives made from materials that are not typically available on our shelves. On the left, you will find a knife constructed from PVDF, while on the right is a knife made from glass-filled PEEK, complemented by brass hardware and a PTFE shim. This particular application arose when a customer experienced ground interference attributed to the aluminum knife design. In response to their specifications, we successfully machined a knife tailored specifically to meet the requirements of their application, showcasing our commitment to customization and material innovation.
If you have any questions about the Super Air Knife, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would love to hear from you!
