Selected parameters affecting characterization of nebulized aqueous solutions by inertial impaction and comparison with phase-Doppler analysis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate selected parameters affecting the characterization of air-jet nebulized aqueous solutions by inertial impaction. Parameters affecting characterization of the droplet size distribution by inertial impaction were considered to be nebulizer T-piece connecting tube length, solute concentration, droplet charge accumulation, sample time and marker concentration. Parametric effects on nebulizer output characteristics were evaluated using a fractional factorial design. Response factors were defined as mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), relative span factor (Delta), fine particle mass and delivery rate of solute. Connecting tube length, grounding the impaction stages and marker concentration did not significantly affect the response factors (0.05). Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and delivery rate of solute were significantly affected by solute concentration (p<0.05). Fine particle mass was significantly affected by the interaction between solute concentration and sampling time. Droplets attained an equilibrium size with an MMAD=1.0 microm, Delta=2.12 (0.9% solute) and MMAD=1.7 microm, Delta=2.00 (9. 0% solute) before the exit of the nebulizer T-piece. The droplet size distributions obtained by inertial impaction were compared with data obtained by phase-Doppler analysis.