The Influence of Physically Doping NaCl with Other Salts on Aerosol and Solion Generation

Received: January 25, 2013
Revised: June 11, 2013
Accepted: June 11, 2013
Download Citation: RIS|BibTeX|https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2013.01.0022  

Cite this article:
Sandu, I., Canache, M., Lupascu, T., Chirazi, M., Sandu, I.G. and Pascu, C. (2013). The Influence of Physically Doping NaCl with Other Salts on Aerosol and Solion Generation. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 13: 1731-1740. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2013.01.0022

ABSTRACT

The paper presents the influence of physically doping NaCl grains with 0.5% KCl, KI, MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ on the release of negative aerosols/solions in dynamic halochambers. The salts used for doping were chosen according to the current procedures to obtain therapeutic and ambient mediums in aerosols with a negative charge based on NaCl. The aerosols were released by pumping an airflow of 1.8 L/min through a cartridge containing 60g of porous granules, with diameters between 4.0 and 6.6 mm, which were obtained by extruding dispersions of aqueous pasty-damp, saline solutions. We used an optical particle counter and a micro-chamber, divided into 10 equal rooms and with a zigzagged airflow delimited into three areas in each room. The upper side was fitted with several injectors to be coupled to the particle counter. Using this device we studied the aerosol emission dynamics over time, by keeping the temperature and humidity in normal conditions, as in the atmospheric air. Based on the evolution of the saline particles, which were divided into two stable groups in the air, namely gaseous microdispersions and gigantic dispersions, we evaluated their concentrations over time, by keeping the airflow that was pumped into the capsule constant. We thus determined the emission ratio over time and the lifespan of the solions in the three areas, over the halochamber functioning period and after the emission ceased. Aerosol/solion generation involves different sets of laws, based on the nature of the doping salt and the conditions in the environment. Therefore, one may select the doping conditions for the aerosol/solion generation granules and the optimal dynamic halochamber functioning time, for use with preventive, therapeutic, or physical performance enhancing applications.

Keywords: Particle size; Salt aerosols; Solion; Physical doping; Halochamber