Patent ID: 9165751
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: B05B,G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method for producing an aerosol from a liquid sample, comprising: providing a nebulizer comprising a first nebulizer tube terminating at a first nebulizer outlet, and a second nebulizer tube coaxially surrounding the first nebulizer tube and terminating at a second nebulizer outlet; flowing a carrier gas through the second nebulizer tube; flowing the liquid sample through the first nebulizer tube such that the liquid sample becomes entrained in the carrier gas and is broken into droplets to form the aerosol; and flowing the aerosol out from the second nebulizer outlet, wherein: the liquid sample comprises a high concentration of dissolved salt or dissolved solid material; and the first nebulizer outlet comprises a sharp edge at which an inside diameter of the first nebulizer tube is substantially the same as an outside diameter of the first nebulizer tube, such that the sharp edge prevents accumulation of precipitates of salt or solid material at the first nebulizer outlet.