Design and performance of a single-pass bubbling bioaerosol generator

We describe and analyze a new particle generator that utilizes a bursting bubble principle and eliminates carrier fluid reuse. In this Liquid Sparging Aerosolizer (LSA), a suspension of particles or microorganisms is pumped at a flow rate of 0.2–2 mL min−1 to the top surface of a porous stainless-steel disk where it forms a thin suspension film. Filtered air is then sparged through the disk into the film causing it to break into bubbles that subsequently burst, releasing particles into the air. The released particles are then captured by the sparging air stream and are carried away. Particles that impinge the glass vessel and liquid droplets not captured by the air stream drain to the bottom of the vessel and play no further role in the aerosolization process. We tested the LSA with disks of different pore sizes (0.2, 0.5, 2.0 and 10.0 μm) and different air flows (2–30 L min−1) through the porous disks while generating polydisperse and monodisperse particles. Our tests showed that the use of 0.5 and 2.0 μm porosity disks resulted in the highest output of PSL particles in the desired size range, i.e., comparable to bacterial size. Each pore size seemed to have an optimal air flow rate; the produced aerosol concentration increased with increasing suspension delivery rate. The LSA also demonstrated stability of output concentration when aerosolizing particles over extended periods of time. In addition, the size distribution of injury-sensitive Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria virtually did not change during 90 min of continuous aerosolization by the LSA. In fact, there was no (0%) viability loss, whereas the bacterial spectrum produced by a Collison nebulizer changed significantly over 90 min and there was a 50% loss in viability. The results indicate that the new instrument could be used to generate particles for the evaluation of pathogen collection methods, inhalation and other studies where extended delivery of stable and undamaged biological aerosols is required.