Axial vs. Deflector: Which BETE Fan Nozzle Really Makes the Cut?

Since BETE became part of the EXAIR family back in 2024, we’ve been able to offer a much deeper bench of spray technology to solve the more complex fluid delivery problems our customers face. When you need precision in a spray process, choosing the right pattern is just as critical as the fluid you’re pumping. Fan nozzles are the go-to when you need a flat sheet of liquid with a specific impact. Whether you’re washing down a conveyor or applying a thin coating to a part, the goal is uniform distribution and, often, high force.

There are two primary ways these fan patterns are created: axial and deflector. With an axial fan nozzle, the liquid exits through an orifice and naturally widens into a flat spray. These are great for general cleaning and washing because they provide a tapered edge. This is perfect for overlapping multiple nozzles on a header to get seamless, uniform coverage across a wide area without any “light” spots between nozzles.

Then you have deflector-style nozzles. In this design, the fluid hits an external surface after exiting the orifice, which “peels” the liquid into an extra-wide fan. Because the fluid is deflected, these nozzles can achieve a much higher impact at lower flow rates, making them ideal for heavy-duty scrubbing, rinsing, or suppressing dust.

We see these used across a ton of different industries because of that versatility. In food and beverage, they’re a staple for bottle and container washing. In the steel industry, you’ll find them cooling down rolls or applying lubricants. They even play a huge role in fire protection, specifically in deluge systems where you need to move a lot of water quickly and accurately.

The main takeaway is that fan nozzles are the best choice whenever you have relative motion between the nozzle and the target. If you have a product moving down a line that needs to be wetted, coated, or cleaned, a fan pattern is likely the most efficient way to get it done.

Between EXAIR’s compressed air expertise and BETE’s industrial spray nozzle catalog, we can help you spec out the right nozzle for the job. Give us a call and we’ll walk through the flow rates and spray angles your application requires.

Tyler Daniel

Application Engineer

E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com

HollowStream Spray Nozzles

At EXAIR we are known for our intelligent compressed air products. We’ve written many blogs on the benefits of our quiet and efficient compressed air products. We also have a handful of products that don’t use compressed air. Our  HollowStream™ Cone Liquid Nozzles are one such product.

As the name would suggest, the HollowStream™ Cone Liquid Nozzles produce a hollow cone of liquid, creating a ring around the target. This will reduce the liquid usage as compared to the OmniStream™ Cone Liquid Nozzles.  They are available in NPT female threads in 1/8″, 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ sizes with a variety of liquid flow rates.

When fluid is supplied into the body, a swirling action is created within the vortex chamber. This vortex is what creates the cone pattern. Then the precision orifice of the nozzle breaks this surface tension of the liquid, exiting the nozzle with the hollow ring pattern. Compared to our Air Atomizing Spray Nozzles, these nozzles generate more liquid volume and produce a coarser spray pattern. They can achieve flow rates ranging from 0.06 GPM and up to 14.00 GPM.

Diagram illustrating airflow in a vortex tube, showing a spiral airflow pattern directed toward the exit.

They are all made of 303 stainless steel with a vaneless design to help resist clogging, making them a great option for slurries, or liquids containing particulate. They can handle 250 PSIG of liquid pressure and operate at temperatures up to 800°F. And due to the fact that they only require pressurized liquid, and not an additional source of compressed air, they are easy to plumb, and are suited for applications where there may be space constraints.

Some common applications include cooling, cleaning, washing, rinsing and dust suppression. As long as you know the spray pattern you are looking to achieve, or the flow rate you want to maintain, our performance tables in our catalog and website make it easy to make your selection.

A table detailing FullStream Cone Nozzles, including columns for inlet connection, model, capacity, max free passage, flow rate in GPM and LPM at various psi levels, and spray angle measurements.

If you would like to discuss your spray application, and how EXAIR’s products can save you money, then give us a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Precision and Control with EXAIR Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles

When it comes to applying coatings, cooling, humidifying, or lubricating, precision atomization makes all the difference. EXAIR’s Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles are engineered to provide fine, uniform spray patterns with exceptional control—helping manufacturers achieve consistent results while conserving compressed air and liquid.

Internal Mix Atomizing Spray Nozzles

How EXAIR Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles Work

EXAIR’s Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles mix compressed air and liquid inside the nozzle body. This design produces the finest atomization and is ideal when both air and liquid flow rates can be precisely controlled.

The result? A highly consistent spray pattern with optimized droplet size and coverage—perfect for applications requiring accuracy and repeatability.

Key Benefits

  • Fine atomization: Internal mixing produces a mist with smaller droplets for superior coverage and surface finish.
  • Flexible spray patterns: Available in round, narrow-angle, and flat fan patterns to suit a wide range of needs.
  • Precise flow control: Independent adjustment of air and liquid allows you to fine-tune performance for your exact process.
  • Durable construction: Built in stainless steel for long life and corrosion resistance, even in harsh environments.
  • Reduced waste: Delivers the right amount of liquid—exactly where it’s needed—minimizing overspray and product loss.

Applications Across Industries

EXAIR Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles are used in a wide variety of industries and processes, including:

  • Coating and painting of parts or products
  • Cooling of molds, tooling, and components
  • Moistening of materials in paper, textile, or food processing
  • Lubrication in metalworking or cutting operations
  • Dust suppression in handling and processing operations
142 distinct models. 8 different patterns. Liquid flow rates from 0.1 to 303 gallons per hour. If you’ve got a spraying application, EXAIR has an Atomizing Nozzle for you!

Why Choose EXAIR?

With EXAIR, you’re getting more than just a nozzle—you’re getting a complete engineered solution backed by decades of experience in compressed air efficiency. Every nozzle is designed for reliability, ease of maintenance, and precise performance, ensuring a consistent spray every time.

Looking to improve your spray application efficiency?
Explore EXAIR’s Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles and discover how precision atomization can enhance quality, reduce waste, and improve process control in your operation.

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer

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Accessories for Your Compressed Air Products

Here at EXAIR we are very proud of our Intelligent Compressed Air Products. We have spent a lot of time discussing their many benefits, including their efficiency, the fact that many have no moving parts, little to no maintenance, meeting or exceeding OSHA safety standards for noise or dead end pressure. One thing we don’t talk as much about is the accessories that go along with and complement our products. Several of these accessory items are the reason why our compressed air products can boast about having little to no maintenance, or reduced noise levels. In this blog I want to cover some of these unsung heroes.

From left to right, a few value-added accessories for your Vortex Tube: Hot Muffler, Cold Muffler, Automatic Drain Filter Separator, Oil Removal Filter, and Solenoid Valve/Thermostat Kit.

Some of the most popular accessories we offer are our compressed air Filters and Regulators. We suggest using these with all our products (or even with ones that aren’t ours).

The Filter Separator is designed to remove moisture, dirt, and rust from your compressed air system. The 5-micron filter element ensures that contaminants don’t clog or harm your compressed air equipment.

An Oil Removal Filter (which should always be installed after our Filter Separator) provides even more precise filtration by getting rid of oil and solid particles with a 0.03-micron element.

Our Pressure Regulators let you choose the operating pressure. At EXAIR, we always advise running at the lowest pressure necessary to complete the task. Pressure Regulators help you achieve that, reducing unnecessary air usage and fine-tuning the performance of EXAIR products for your specific application.

We have some accessories designed specifically for certain products. For our Line Vacs, there’s the Line Vac Hose. You can also find Thermostats and Solenoid Valves that work great with our Cabinet Coolers, and if you’re using Vortex Tubes, we suggest checking out our Mufflers.

When it comes to our Air Knives, we offer a variety of fantastic options:

If you’re looking for a simple and dependable way to mount your Air Knife, our Universal Air Knife Mounting System is just what you need.

If your project needs something longer than our stock Air Knives, or if you want to manage different sections of the air flow separately, our Coupling Bracket Kits are ideal.

And if you want to simplify the plumbing for your Air Knife, don’t miss our Air Knife Plumbing Kits. They’re suitable for all Air Knives that are longer than 24 inches.

If you’re looking for plumbing options, we’ve got a range of compressed air hoses and fittings that will simplify things for you.

Our Coiled Hoses work great with our Safety Air Guns, giving you more freedom of movement while you work.

Our Compressed Air Hoses are often used alongside our Industrial Housekeeping products to provide the necessary reach for the drum and dolly.

Finally, if you’re looking for a way to mount or position your Air Nozzles, check out our Magnetic Bases, Stay Set Hoses, and Swivel Fittings that can help create a complete setup.

No matter what your application requires or the product you need, we’ve got a variety of complementary accessory products that will simplify installation and adjustments. If you have any questions about these or any other EXAIR products, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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