Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Applied to a Glass Vaporization Chamber for Introduction of Micro- or Nano-Size Samples into Lab-Based ICPs and to a CFD-Derived (and Rapidly Prototyped Via 3D Printing) Smaller-Size Chamber for Portable Microplasmas

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used extensively in many industries ranging from aerospace engineering to automobile design. We applied CFDs to simulate flows inside vaporization chambers designed for micro- or nano-sample introduction into conventional, lab-based inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs). Simulation results were confirmed using smoke visualization experiments (akin to those used in wind tunnels) and were verified experimentally using an ICP-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) system with a fast-response photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector, an ICP-OES system with a slower-response charge injection device (CID) detector, and an ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system. A pressure pulse (defined as a momentary decrease of the optical emission intensity of ICP background) was not observed when employing widely used ICPs either with a CID detector or with ICP-MS. Overall, the simulations proved to be highly beneficial, for example, detection limits improved by as much as five times. Using CFD simulations as a guide, a rapidly prototyped, 3D-printed and smaller-size vaporization chamber (a scaled-down version of that used with ICPs) is being evaluated for potential use with a portable, battery-operated microplasma. Details are provided in this chapter.