Abstract: A nozzle and method of use thereof is provided for atomizing a liquid stream. The nozzle is particularly useful for atomizing a hydrocarbon feed into a catalytic cracking zone of a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process. The nozzle includes a primary conduit for receiving a liquid stream and a secondary conduit for receiving a dispersion medium. At least a portion of the secondary conduit is positioned within the primary conduit to form a passageway for the liquid stream between the inner surface of the primary conduit and outer surface of secondary conduit. The dispersion medium and liquid stream are combined in a mixing zone that is located between the outlet of the secondary conduit and the outlet of the primary conduit. In the mixing zone, the primary conduit inner surface is gradually tapered so the cross-sectional area of the primary conduit outlet is decreased relative to the cross-sectional area of the primary conduit inlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nozzle, nozzle assembly, and method of use thereof for atomizing a liquid stream into a flat fan-shaped spray. The nozzle and nozzle assembly are particularly useful for atomizing a hydrocarbon feed into a catalytic cracking zone of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process. The nozzle includes a nozzle tip that has at least three substantially vertical openings extending from the inner surface of the nozzle tip to the outer surface of the nozzle tip. The openings are angled from 0 degrees to about 75 degrees. The present invention also provides a nozzle assembly containing at least three nozzles of the present invention that are radially mounted around the perimeter of an area to be sprayed.