How foggers work

What is a fogger?

Foggers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, methods of use, etc. Each manufacturer has their own set of instructions which they suggest to optimize their product’s use. But what sets foggers apart from each other? What distinguishes our fogger from the others?

In general, a fogger takes a chemical, sends it through a pump and hose down to a nozzle that atomizes and distributes those chemicals in the form of tiny droplets that "fog" around a given area. Let’s talk about HOW they accomplish this.

What kinds of foggers are there?

Sprayers, while not really foggers, are a very common system found everywhere. From homes and gardens, to airports and hospitals, these units efficiently deliver high volumes of material over large areas. These units will spray particles in the 200+ micron sizes. What does this mean? Soaking wet paperwork and damaged electronics. Anything above 50 microns is visible to the human eye (40 if you have very good eyesight and lots of light). The larger the particle, the more material is being distributed over a smaller space. The outcome? Lots of liquid in a small space pooling water and making things wet. While this is fantastic for things like insecticides, weed killer, and paint, it is not good for working around computers or sensitive materials. Also, bear in mind that disinfecting agents are generally more costly than insecticides or herbicides. That means you're driving up your costs by utilizing sprayers as disinfecting equipment.

Foggers are electric powered by cord or batteries and have many shapes, sizes, distribution methods, and capacities. These units create smaller particles. 200 microns down to about 70 microns is well within the realm of soaking areas and poor distribution of material. Heavier / larger particles do not remain airborne for long, nor do they adhere themselves to surfaces around corners, under objects, or in obscure places. While fantastic for fertilizing, distributing insecticide, cleaning duct work, and theatrical use, they are not appropriate for sanitizing against viruses such as COVID-19.

True ULV foggers are machines which are designed to distribute tiny particles over spaces and can work around things like computers or other sensitive materials. But, there is more to it than that.
Not all ULV foggers are alike. The main difference is whether or not they are electrostatic. This affects how the water particles behave. A true Electrostatic ULV fogger produces particles that are 50 microns or less. To give you an idea of how small that is, the average virus is about 30 microns. Interesting to note, after reviewing a number of foggers, we discovered that none of the imported foggers seem to be truly ULV.

What are different types of electrostatic generation?

Corona discharge foggers are a very common ULV fogger type. The user typically wears some kind of grounding strap and a positive charge is created at the point of release. These units operate at high voltage with very low amperage. They can use an immense amount of energy but work better when they can produce smaller particles.

Arc based units use a tiny spark created by having both positive and negative ends right on the tip of the nozzle. It charges the particles and does a fair job of distributing materials at a short range, but commonly "shock" people during use. Some of these shocks can become life threatening to someone who has a pacemaker. Additionally, working in wet areas can create a hazardous environment.
Another arc based unit uses a lower voltage but higher amperage. These units do not have a grounding strap, but create a jumping spark to charge the cleaning agent. You have a lower chance of being shocked by these units unless you come into direct contact with the nozzle. However, these units can really zap you!

AC (Alternating current) based units use alternating currents to charge the water particles. In theory, the positive and negatively charged particles should repel each other, however, many engineers agree that it has yet to be proven. Another negative is that you have to deal with being tethered by a long extension cord to get the job done.

Cavitation based foggers require a mixture of high pressure and a very specific nozzle design to deliver a superior fogging. The liquid is forced into a small cavity just before the nozzle where the cavitation shears the liquid and accelerates it like an explosion. This explosion creates ionized particles so small that the vast majority are undetectable to the naked eye. When the particles leave the wide angle nozzle, they are suspended in the air. While airborne, the particles carry further and adhere around corners, under objects, and in those hard to reach places. Though difficult to produce and expensive, they offer superior coverage and are vastly more efficient.

So what should I look for?

When it comes to finding the right ULV Fogger for you, consider these questions;

How far does the unit spray?
Most units only fog about 4-5 ft. There are other units on the market that carry further, but require a cord because of the inefficient design. The SANI-Fogger can fog up to 50ft.

Can it be used indoors and outdoors?
Only the SANI-Fogger can work outdoors. Other foggers efficiency is greatly diminished with the slightest breeze. As for indoor use, a true electrostatic ULV fogger can be used around electronics and sensitive materials, but since there are no regulations regarding the labeling of these units, it is very easy to purchase fake products which can damage your business investments. The SANI-Fogger is a true electrostatic fogger.

Do I need a cordless system?
A corded system can run non-stop, but is not more powerful than most battery powered units, they require long extension cords creating hazardous environments including electrocution and trip hazards. Then there’s the issue of having to store the long cords or finding an outlet that allows you to get the job done.
Generally speaking batteries are contained within the units. This means that changing the batteries is an ordeal. The SANI-Fogger was designed with hot swappable batteries with as fast as 20 minutes charging cycles.

How do I carry the cleaning agent?
Foggers come in a variety of methods to hold liquid. Being mindful of the fogging environment as well as obstacles such as power cords, furniture, hoses, etc, they are configured with attached hoppers, purse styles, backpack styles, rolling carts, and other methods. If your fogger is a backpack configuration, consider the way the backpack is designed and how much weight your workers should carry at one time. The SANI-Fogger was designed for comfort and optimal efficiency. The SANI-Fogger hot swap chemical system allows for many pre-filled solution bottles to be changed in just seconds, keeping sanitizing at full efficiency. The chemical tank has quick-release attachments which make for easier swapping, storage, and maintenance.

What about quality control?
We have seen a fair share of foggers run through our shop from many manufacturers. Most knock-off brands are value engineered to a fault. These units could be considered simply disposable. The SANI-Fogger is a US made product that exceeds UL and CE requirements designed as an ISO 9002 product.

Click on the image to check out the SANI-Fogger

As you can see, there are many options to be found in the fogger market. All things considered, it becomes clear why the SANI-Fogger stands alone. With a limited budget and a need to disinfect regularly, the SANI-fogger ensures a long-term investment in a quality product that has a flexible platform and can work in any given environment.