Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a quartz flask for containing 71% nitric acid and the organic matrix to be destroyed, a Soxhlet extractor disposed above the flask, and a Friedrich coldfinger reflux condenser disposed above the extractor. A Meeker or Fisher burner is employed to provide heat to the flask and distill the acid, and the vapors are condensed within the condenser and transmitted to the extractor. An adjustable volume displacement cylinder is disposed within the extractor so as to control siphoning of the acid condensate from the extractor back into the flask. The distillation-condensation-siphoning procedure of the present invention is automatically operative once the displacement cylinder is adjusted. The organic matrix is completely destroyed so as to produce a clear, colorless acid solution within which the trace inorganic salts are disposed. The acid solution may be subsequently qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in accordance with known techniques.

Abstract: A nebulizer to produce a finely dispersed aerosol from a solution passing over its surface comprises a chamber through which a gas, such as air, is adapted to be blown. The chamber has an outlet conduit, and mounted in the chamber facing the outlet conduit is an inclined upright bar formed with a longitudinal V-groove having a central gas exit port to which is connected a gas input delivery tube. A sample introduction tube is connected to the top end of the bar at said V-groove to admit sample solution thereto. The side walls of the V-groove below the gas exit port are lower in height than above the gas exit port to prevent aerosol droplets from settling on the walls and from interfering with the entry of the aerosol into the exit port. An impactor rod is adjustably mounted on the lower portion of the bar and is adjusted so that its top end is in front of the gas exit port.