Computerized simulation of aerosol-droplet desolvation in an inductively coupled plasma

Abstract

A mathematical model for the desolvation of solvent droplets has been used in conjunction with an existing code for simulation of ICP fundamental parameters. The combination has been used for the calculation of droplet histories and desolvation behavior along the central channel of an ICP. Calculations have been performed for droplets of various sizes and under a variety of ICP operating conditions. As central-channel gas flow rate increases, the point of complete desolvation of the droplet shifts upward in the plasma, away from the load coil. This relationship is fairly linear. As forward power increases, the point of complete desolvation moves down in the discharge, closer to the load coil. This is approximately an inverse relationship. Finally, simulation of behavior for a log-normal size distribution of a large number of droplets (10 8) shows that the number of surviving droplets falls sigmoidally with height above the load coil. For most nebulizer/spray chamber systems, the desolvation process is complete at a well-defined height in the plasma.