The Benefits of Using Intelligent Electrostatic Sprayer

Electrostatic applicators charge material particles as they pass or contact an electrode to achieve higher transfer efficiency. They rely upon the attraction of opposite electrical charges.

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1. The material is electrostatically charged as it passes through an electrostatic field produced between the electrode on the front of the gun and a grounded object.
2. The charged particles of the material are attracted to the grounded (neutral) object and form an even coating.
3. The charged material then wraps itself around the object, increasing the surface space that is coated.

Because of this wraparound effect, electrostatic applicators are especially suitable for coating tubular products.

Many parameters determine the efficiency with which the material can wrap around the surface. These include:&#;

• Polarity of the coating
• Voltage potential of the spray gun
• Air velocity in the spray booth
• Efficiency of the ground 

To determine the correct coating to use in an electrostatic gun, you must consider its resistivity. The materials, solvents and reducers used in the manufacture of the coatings determine the resistivity of the coating.

This can be measured with a paint probe meter that measures megohms per centimeter of resistance. The best electrostatic results are achieved when the resistivity of the coating is between 25 and 50 megohms per centimeter.

Getting the paint formulated from the manufacturer for electrostatic use is typically the best solution.&#;&#;

While solventborne coating systems still remain the benchmark for overall performance, application and appearance characteristics, waterborne materials are growing in popularity because of more stringent air quality regulations. They contain and emit less organic solvent into the atmosphere while providing certain refinishing benefits and offering lower toxicity.&#;&#;

Waterborne materials have low resistivity, therefore, require different handling when spraying with electrostatic guns. Traditionally, spraying waterborne materials with manual air spray applicators required either conventional air spray guns or for electrostatics, an isolation system. Both methods have their disadvantages.

Conventional air spray guns do not deliver the transfer efficiency or wrap that electrostatic spraying delivers. In addition, if electrostatic automatic applicators are used in the finishing process, color match can be difficult because of the various material types used in certain applications. While isolation systems address these issues, they are difficult to work with in a high production facility.&#;&#;

External Charging Electrostatic Sprayers

One alternative for spraying waterborne materials with electrostatics is an external charging electrostatic applicator. The external charging electrostatic gun can be connected to a circulation system or a pump system. The waterborne material is charged as it is exiting the gun through an electrostatic field. The external charging electrostatic gun eliminates the need for an isolation system. 

&#;In addition, waterborne electrostatic guns have the advantage of delivering higher transfer efficiency and higher productivity than conventional air spray guns. Because of these cost saving benefits, smart consumers are replacing existing conventional air spray guns with waterborne electrostatic spray guns on a circulation system.&#;&#;

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Whether you are managing school or business facilities, cleaning and disinfecting these shared spaces are essential for the health and safety of your building occupants. With post-COVID-19 protocols bringing heightened attention to new ways of sterilizing interior spaces, such as electrostatic spraying, it's essential to understand more about this emerging cleaning solution. Continue reading to learn how electrostatic sprayers work, how effective they are, how to operate them safely, and why they may only be the first step to creating healthier indoor environments.

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Electrostatic sprayers, also known as electrostatic disinfection sprayers, are disinfection chemical atomizers that electrostatically charge the aerosolized mist to improve the chemical's adhesion to surfaces and objects. Dependent on the manufacturer or model, electrostatic sprayers typically consist of a specialized sprayer gun, a rechargeable battery pack, and a refillable container for the disinfectant. The majority of commercial-grade electrostatic sprayers are in a cordless backpack form factor with larger chemical storage, a larger battery pack, and a hose-attached sprayer gun.

How Do Electrostatic Sprayers Work?

Electrostatic sprayers work by combining ambient air with the disinfectant to aerosolize the chemical and then apply a charge with a positively charged diode tip or electrode within the sprayer nozzle. As the chemical is emitted through the nozzle, droplets with positive charges bond with negatively charged surfaces. Such chemical aerosolization aims to have the disinfectant completely cover surfaces and objects.

What Are The Benefits of Electrostatic Disinfection?

With the wider availability of electrostatic sprayer solutions following the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations have seen the following benefits of employing this innovative method for cleaning:

Benefit 1 - Reduced Labor Time:

For maintenance staff in schools and businesses, traditional methods of chemical disinfection are both a time-consuming and high-labor task. With electrostatic sprayers; maintenance staff can apply disinfection solutions across multiple surfaces within less time than with traditional spray bottles. According to data provided by electrostatic sprayer manufacturers, this can equate to up to 80% less time spent by staff when cleaning offices and classrooms.

Benefit 2 - Decreased Usage of Disinfectant Chemicals:

For school districts, in particular, increasing surface disinfection has rapidly driven up maintenance costs. For some institutions switching to electrostatic sprayers has proven beneficial in covering larger surface areas with less disinfectant. According to a  study conducted by the EPA, "an electrostatic sprayer may use less disinfectant to cover a surface area." Some manufacturers have also made claims that electrostatic sprayers reduce disinfectant chemical usage by "up to 65%" for "eco-friendly" results. However, as of winter , studies and testing are ongoing by regulatory and industry officials for verification of results.

The Myth Surrounding Electrostatic Sprayers Non-Directional "Wrap" Around Coverage:

A common misconception about electrostatic sprayers is their ability to have disinfection chemicals "wrap" around or apply chemicals in 360 degrees of coverage. In a study conducted by the EPA, researchers determined the electrostatic sprayers showed "limited ability" of "wrap-around effects," no matter the charge applied to the aerosolized disinfectant. Additionally, researchers determined that the reduction of disinfectant usage of electrostatic sprayers correlates to less disinfectant applied, potentially reducing effectiveness and surface "contact time."

How Long Does An Electrostatic Treatment Last?

The duration of an electrostatic spraying treatment depends on various factors, such as the type of surface being treated, the environmental conditions, the disinfectant solution used, and the level of contamination present. In general, electrostatic spraying treatments can provide long-lasting protection against germs, viruses, and other harmful pathogens.

Some electrostatic spraying treatments may provide immediate protection lasting several hours, while others may provide longer-lasting protection lasting multiple days. The duration of the treatment will depend on the specific product used, the application process, and the conditions in which the treatment is used.

It's important to note that electrostatic spraying treatments should be used as part of a comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting program and should not be relied upon as the sole means of preventing the spread of infection. Regular cleaning and disinfecting, along with other preventive measures like hand hygiene and social distancing, are crucial in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Safety Precautions For Electrostatic Sprayers 

The CDC neither recommends nor discourages the use of electrostatic sprayers for disinfecting community spaces for pathogens and COVID-19. However, if electrostatic sprayers are used, the CDC indicates that such disinfectant sprayers should be used cautiously. One of the stated health risks comes from the nature of electrostatic sprayers in aerosolizing chemicals. These chemicals, as a result, are suspended in the air for extended periods. Without proper ventilation, aerosolized disinfectants may cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and other health issues for people who breathe them in. 

The EPA further validated this potential health risk of aerosolized chemicals in their testing. EPA's study states that aerosolized disinfectant chemicals, including chlorine and hydrogen peroxide, can become hazardous and volatile. For sprayer operators and building occupants, smaller chemical droplets may be "inhaled and deposited deeper in the respiratory tract."

Additionally, the CDC indicates that surface residue of electrostatic sprayer chemicals may also cause skin irritation, especially for individuals with sensitive skin, such as children. The CDC recommends removing the chemical residue "after the appropriate contact time has been achieved" by the disinfectant. Due to the safety and effectiveness of electrostatic sprayers being dependent on multiple factors, the CDC has provided the following recommendations:

• Trained professionals should only use them.
• They should be used with disinfectants approved for this method of application.
• They should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions for safety, use, and contact time.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety measures should be used to ensure safety for the operator, others nearby, and for people who might use the room afterward.
• They should only be used when rooms are not occupied.
• They should be used with extreme caution if used around food preparation or areas where children play.
  

Can Electrostatic Sprayers Eliminate COVID-19?

According to the EPA, electrostatic sprayers as of winter have not been directly tested by the agency for efficacy in eliminating SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) on surfaces. However, with the surge of chemicals marketed to protect against COVID-19, the EPA has provided a list of recommended antimicrobial disinfectants, known as "List N," that have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Studies have also stated that electrostatic sprayers are "only as effective as the disinfectant chemical being sprayed." Therefore, when considering electrostatic sprayers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens, choosing a disinfection chemical in the EPA's "List N" should be the first priority.

Why Is Clean Air Just As Important As Clean Surfaces?

If you're researching electrostatic sprayers and virus disinfection methods or have read about the concepts of "Healthy Buildings," then you have probably heard that clean "shared air" is equally important to clean surfaces when creating healthier indoor environments. With typical cold viruses known to survive on surfaces for several days, many schools and businesses are focusing purely on disinfecting high-traffic surfaces. 

However, COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of how viruses transmitted through airborne droplets can travel throughout entire spaces, causing faster infection rates. Organizations using electrostatic sprayers are taking the first step to creating a healthier indoor environment by disinfecting surfaces. But to truly make healthier buildings, cleaner "shared air," with better air filtration, ventilation, and deployment of indoor air quality technologies is needed.

For more information, please visit Intelligent Electrostatic Sprayer.