Percolator
A percolator is a system integrated into certain water pipes or bongs that diffuses smoke or vapour through water to produce a large number of small bubbles.
What is a percolator?
A percolator is a device integrated into certain water pipes and bongs. Its role is to diffuse smoke or vapour into the water by dividing it into a large number of small bubbles. This process increases the contact surface with the water and is one of the main characteristics of advanced filtration systems.
Percolators have become very popular in the world of modern water pipes, where they add an extra level of diffusion between the main chamber and the user.
How does a percolator work?
When smoke or vapour passes through the percolator, it is forced through a series of openings, slits or small channels. This design breaks the flow into numerous bubbles that then rise through the water.
The greater the number of bubbles, the greater the diffusion. This is why some models feature several percolators or multiple filtration levels.
Different types of percolators
Many percolator models have been developed over the years. Some of the best-known include Tree, Honeycomb, Showerhead, Matrix, Turbine and Inline percolators.
Each design uses a different system to distribute the flow through the water, but the general principle remains the same: multiplying the diffusion points inside the water pipe.
Percolators and diffusion
The term diffusion is closely linked to how percolators work. The more small bubbles the system creates, the greater the exchange surface with the water. Manufacturers often use different designs to achieve varied diffusion characteristics.
Some percolators favour a large number of fine bubbles, while others seek a balance between airflow, draw resistance and the volume of water used.
An important development in water pipe design
The emergence of percolators has profoundly influenced the design of modern water pipes. Many high-end models now incorporate one or more percolators to add extra diffusion stages.
The percolator is now considered one of the best-known technical components in the world of bongs and water pipes.
A key term in water pipe vocabulary
The term percolator is directly related to many glossary concepts, such as bong, water pipe, diffusion, water chamber, bowl, downstem and water filtration. It is one of the components most frequently found in modern filtration systems.
Synonyms
Perc, Diffuser, Bong percolator
