Nebulizer Constriction for Stable Droplet Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nebulizers face challenges in stably forming fine droplets from sample liquids containing highly concentrated matrices, leading to potential clogging of the nebulizing gas outlet due to salt deposition, which affects the stability and efficiency of analysis in ICP-OES and ICP-MS devices.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer design featuring a liquid supply tube and a gas supply tube with a constriction portion in the gas channel upstream of the liquid outlet, increasing gas pressure and velocity to form fine droplets while preventing backward flow and clogging, and a sample introduction unit with a sheath gas surrounding the droplets to maintain directional flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sample liquid containing highly concentrated matrix is nebulized using a conventional nebulizer, then the nebulizing gas outlet becomes clogged with salt deposition, but reducing gas flow rate improves droplet formation stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a constriction portion at a specific location within the gas supply tube (upstream of the liquid outlet) to generate localized high-velocity gas flow. This localized high-velocity region prevents salt deposition at the outlet while the overall gas flow rate can be reduced for stable droplet formation. The constriction portion creates a focused high-velocity jet that clears the outlet area without requiring high overall gas flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the velocity parameter of the nebulizing gas by introducing a constriction portion that accelerates the gas flow locally. This parameter change allows the gas to achieve high velocity (for preventing clogging) at a specific location while maintaining lower overall flow rate (for stable droplet formation). The constriction transforms the gas flow parameters to simultaneously satisfy both requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high gas flow rate is used to prevent outlet clogging, then droplet formation becomes unstable, but low gas flow rate provides stable droplet formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gas flow function into two distinct regions: a constriction portion upstream that generates high-velocity flow for preventing clogging, and a downstream region where lower velocity flow provides stable droplet formation. This segmentation allows different flow conditions to exist in different spatial zones, simultaneously achieving both clogging prevention and stable droplet formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a uniform flow rate approach to a velocity distribution approach across different spatial dimensions. The constriction portion creates a high-velocity jet in the axial direction at the outlet region, while the overall gas flow rate remains low for stable droplet formation upstream. This dimensional differentiation of flow conditions solves the apparent contradiction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The nebulizer effectively stabilizes the ejection of fine droplets, reducing lateral spreading and preventing clogging, resulting in improved stability and accuracy of analysis in ICP-OES and ICP-MS devices.
Implementation Method 1
the nebulizer can increase, at the constriction portion, the pressure of the gas flowing through the second channel
Implementation Method 2
can cause the gas that has passed to flow at an increased velocity
Implementation Method 3
the flow rate of the gas can be reduced as compared with the known art. Thus, the nebulizer provided by the present invention is capable of stably forming a liquid into fine droplets
Implementation Method 4
an other gas supply tube surrounding the gas supply tube with an other gap interposed therebetween, the other gap serving as a third channel which allows an other gas to flow therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
To provide: an atomizer that allows a sample liquid to be made into minute droplets stably and that inhibits clogging of an aerosol gas outlet by salting out or the like when atomizing a sample containing a high density matrix; a sample introduction unit that includes the atomizer; and an analysis device. An atomizer includes: a liquid supply tube that has a first channel in which a liquid can circulate and that has, on one end, an outlet to spray the liquid; and a gas supply tube that encloses the liquid supply tube with a gap therebetween, that has a second channel in which a gas can circulate, and that has, on one end, an outlet to spray the gas. The second channel is defined by the outer circumferential face of the liquid supply tube and the inner circumferential face of the gas supply tube and has a narrow portion upstream of the outlet.