Some studies of changes in efficiency of pneumatic nebulization on using small discrete samples

The indirect evidence for a change in nebulization efficiency upon discrete sample nebulization has been critically appraised. Direct measurements of the effect of sample size upon nebulization efficiency have been made, by exploiting the reproducible droplet size obtained on allowing free-fall of droplets from a peristaltic pump outlet into a polypropylene capillary funnel. The observed enhancements in efficiency with decreasing sample size are discussed in relation to changes in measured aerosol droplet size distributions. The latter also explain the reduction in the incidence and extent of certain types of interferences.