Apparatus and method for the characterization of respirable aerosols
An apparatus for the characterization of respirable aerosols, including: a burn chamber configured to selectively contain a sample that is selectively heated to generate an aerosol; a heating assembly disposed within the burn chamber adjacent to the sample; and a sampling segment coupled to the burn chamber and configured to collect the aerosol such that it may be analyzed. The apparatus also includes an optional sight window disposed in a wall of the burn chamber such that the sample may be viewed during heating. Optionally, the sample includes one of a Lanthanide, an Actinide, and a Transition metal.
1. An apparatus for the characterization of respirable aerosols, comprising:
a burn chamber configured to selectively contain a sample that is selectively heated to generate an aerosol;
a heating assembly disposed within the burn chamber adjacent to the sample; and
a sampling segment coupled to the burn chamber and configured to collect the aerosol such that it may be analyzed;
wherein the burn chamber comprises a first spacer disposed therein, the first spacer operable for determining a position of the heating assembly and the sample within the burn chamber; and
wherein the burn chamber comprises a second spacer disposed therein adjacent to the first spacer, the second spacer selectively containing a material that is selectively combusted or burned and operable for determining the position of the sample within the burn chamber.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sight window disposed in a wall of the burn chamber such that the sample may be viewed during heating.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the burn chamber comprises a first burn chamber coupled to a second burn chamber.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second burn chamber comprises a gas intake conduit operable for introducing a gas into the burn chamber.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the burn chamber further comprises a grate disposed between the first spacer and the second spacer.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sample is selectively disposed on and supported by the second spacer.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heating assembly is disposed between the first spacer and the second spacer.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heating assembly comprises a spiral heater disposed between a ceramic disc and a quartz disc, the quartz disc operable for preventing the spiral heater from directly contacting a combustible material disposed adjacent to the heating assembly that is selectively burned.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sampling segment comprises an aerosol offtake conduit operable for communicating a portion of the aerosol selectively present in the sampling segment to an attached aerosol analyzing system.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sampling segment comprises a filter disposed at an end thereof opposite the burn chamber.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises one of a Lanthanide, an Actinide, and a Transition metal.
12. An apparatus for the characterization of respirable aerosols, comprising:
a burn chamber configured to selectively contain a sample that is selectively heated to generate an aerosol;
a heating assembly disposed within the burn chamber adjacent to the sample; and
a sampling segment coupled to the burn chamber and configured to collect the aerosol such that it may be analyzed;
wherein the heating assembly comprises a heater disposed between a first disc and a second disc, the second disc operable for preventing the heater from directly contacting a material disposed adjacent to the heating assembly that is selectively combusted or burned.