Abstract: An ultrasonic humidifier is converted to a low-cost, geyser-type ultrasonic nebulizer for atomic spectrometry. The device may be operated in either a batch or the continuous mode. Long-term precisions of 1-2% were achieved for 14 elements. For a sample uptake rate of 1 mL/min., detection limits measured with the geyser-type ultrasonic nebulizer were superior to those obtained with a PN by a factor of 8-50. While detection limits measured utilizing the converted nebulizer of the present invention were similar to those reported for commercial ultrasonic nebulizers, the converted nebulizer of the present invention is much less expensive.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 1990
Date of Patent:
November 17, 1992
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
Inventors:
Robert H. Clifford, Akbar Montaser, Scott P. Dolan, Stephen G. Capar