Patent attributes
An improved surface evaporation system where droplet size and spray configuration is controlled and modified based upon ambient conditions in order to prevent the spreading of salts and other contaminants outside of a treatment pit or specific area. Water droplet size can be controlled by adjustment of the spray nozzle side. Increasing the nozzle size to increase droplet size results in a reduction of mist travel direction (i.e., drift distance). Reducing the nozzle size decreases the droplet size, and increases drift distance. Similarly, changing the configuration of the spray will affect drift distance. For example, changing the spray direction and height from a vertical spray direction to a flatter, more horizontal direction (with resulting greater area) results in a substantially decreased drift distance. In addition, the system also takes into account the effects of wind speed and direction and humidity. Evaporation modules may use standard spray nozzles, or ultrasonic evaporators.