Selecting the Right Nebulizer

Nebulizer Selection Criteria

Our most popular and universally used nebulizer is the PEEK Mira Mist.

The PEEK Mira Mist handles most liquids and most sample flow ranges used in ICP and ICP-MS. Because it it made out of PEEK, it is also the strongest and most rugged of our nebulizers and has the longest life span. In specific cases, one of our other nebulizers may be a better fit. The following descriptions and tables are provided to help with your nebulizer selection.

1. PEEK Mira Mist:
The most common choice for most Instruments, most samples: It has a lower cost than the Teflon Mira Mist, same excellent stability, %RSD, intensities. Can run from 0.2 to 2.5 ml/min. The Peek body will not handle some organic solvents, HF over 5%, high concentrations of HNO3 or Sulphuric acid.

2. Teflon Mira Mist:
The most versatile nebulizer for any instrument running concentrated acids, HF, or organic solvents. It also runs low acids or waters of course - it handles all solvents. Its excellent stability, low %RSD, and high intensities are the same as the Peek Mira Mist. The main reason to choose it is for sample acids/solvents that would damage the Peek bodies.

3. Ari Mist:
For low flow applications for ICP/MS instruments. Handles small particulates - at 225 micron ID, the sample capillary is still larger than most concentrics. Runs from 100 ul/min to 1.5 ml/min. The Peek body will not handle some organic solvents, HF, high concentrations of HNO3 or Sulphuric acid. Excellent stability, %RSD, and intensities.

4. T2100:
Best choice for lots of undissolved particles, or slurries. Gives the same intensities and stability as a Mira Mist for more than 0.5 ml/min sample flows. Good for most Instruments, most samples, with concentrated acids, or organic solvents and lots of undissolved particles, very good stability, %RSD, and intensities.

5. T2002:
Generally, the T2100 is a better choice for any application considering these. These are usually only selected if trying to match old procedures and protocols. The T2100 lasts longer, handles larger undissolved particles, and gives the same intensities and stability for more than 0.5 ml/min sample flows. These will work for most instruments, most samples, with concentrated acids, or organic solvents and lots of undissolved particles, very good stability, %RSD, and intensities.

6. Mira Mist CE:
These are special application high pressure nebulizers: only used when low flow or very high stability and intensities are required. Highest cost, require higher pressure than available in most instruments.

7. Enya Mist
For ICP/MS applications. Allows direct connection of uHPLC, HPLC, and syringe pumps. Handles from 200 nanoliters/min to 250 microliters/min.
Small sample capillary provides enough back pressure to enable Split Flow applications. Can split sample flow at nebulizer in 30 - 50 X splits.

8. PFA 260
For ICP/MS applications. This is essentially an Ari Mist made of PFA on the parts that are in contact with the sample. The PFA 260 allows a bit lower flow than a standard Ari Mist, but with all the advantages still present: low flow, difficult to salt or plug, high particulate tolerance. Handles from 50 microliters/min to 1.5 ml/min. PFA inner capillary extends out back of nebulizer for easy connection to 1/16" tubing fittings, and PFA only contact with the sample.

9. SS 50 & LB 30:
Special application low pressure high sample flow high gas flow nebulizer. Used for industrial sprays, not for ICP, ICP/MS analysis. These nebulizers are made to order and can be made in many sizes and shapes, with many types of materials.

The Burgener Advantage

Burgener Nebulizers use the patented Enhanced Parallel Path Method of creating a mist. This atomization method creates the most stable mist and the smallest droplets of any pneumatic nebulizer.

Most Burgener nebulizers have Teflon sample passages and gas passages. Teflon is a non-wetting material which means no sticking, and no cross contamination between samples if the nebulizer is properly flushed between runs. It also means no salt build ups, making these nebulizers virtually un-pluggable. Teflon is a chemically resistant material and not effected by standard lab acids or organics.

The external nebulizer bodies are either PEEK or Teflon. PEEK has the advantage of being very tough and durable, so our nebulizers can last a very long time. As long as the tip of the nebulizer is protected, the nebulizer bodies are essentially unbreakable. Teflon is used for nebulizers destined for high acidity samples that can eventually turn PEEK brittle. Because nothing sticks to Teflon, strong acids merely wash away and do not effect the Teflon interiors or exteriors.

 Standard Nebulizers

Nebulizer Model Outer Body Material Inner Capillary Material Operating Pressure at .8 l/min (PSI) Sample Flow Rate (microliters/min) Sample Capillary I.D. (microns) Nose Length Nose Diameter Overall Length Standard Gas Line Ability to Plug Compatable Chambers Applications & Comments
PEEK Mira Mist PEEK PTFE Teflon 35-45 200 - 2500 500 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Possible, not likely All High salts, medium particles. Not recommended for concentrated acids, some organics. Excellent %RSD (< .7%), sensitivity & long term stability.
Teflon Mira Mist PTFE Teflon PTFE Teflon 35-45 200 - 2500 500 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Possible, not likely All High salts, medium particles. Recommended for all acids, all organics. Excellent %RSD (< .7%), sensitivity & long term stability.
T 2100 PTFE Teflon PTFE Teflon 30-40 500 - 2500 750 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Nearly Impossible All High salts, larger particles. Recommended for all acids, all organics. Excellent %RSD (< 1%) & stability. Very good sensitivity.
Ari Mist PEEK PTFE Teflon 35-45 50 - 1000 225 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Possible, not likely All Medium salts, NO particles. Micro flow for alcohol, organics: 50 ul/min +. Very good %RSD (generally < 1%) & excellent sensitivity.
T2002 PTFE Teflon PTFE Teflon 35-45 800 - 2500 500-800 28 mm 6 mm 58.4 mm 1/8", 1/4", 4 mm available. Will not plug All High salts, larger particles. Very good %RSD (generally < 1%), good sensitivity.

Nano and Micro Low Flow Nebulizers 

Nebulizer Model Body Material Inner Capillary Material Operating Pressure at .8 l/min (PSI) Sample Flow Rate (microliters/min) Sample Capillary I.D. (microns) Nose Length Nose Diameter Overall Length Standard Gas Line Ability to Plug Compatable Chambers Applications & Comments
Mira Mist - CE PTFE Teflon PEEK 75-90 2 - 2500 500 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Possible, not likely All (runs well with a Mini Chamber) Designed for CE-ICP-MS. Allows CE capillary to extend to tip. Also runs as excellent nebulizer without CE capillary.
PFA 250 PFA Teflon & PEEK PFA Teflon 32 50 - 2000 250 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Possible All Medium salts, small particles. Ultra clean PFA construction (all wetted parts are PFA). Good %RSD (< 2%). Excellent sensitivity & low flow capability.
PFA 260 PFA Teflon & PEEK PFA Teflon 50 50 - 2000 250 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Possible All Medium salts, small particles. Ultra clean PFA construction (all wetted parts are PFA). Good %RSD (< 2%). Excellent sensitivity & low flow capability.
X - 175 PTFE Teflon & PEEK PEEK 40 50 - 1000 175 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Very possible All standard Medium salts, NO particles. Excellent %RSD (< 1%) & sensitivity. Designed for ICP-MS low flow applications. Can also do micro flow for alcohol, organics: 5 ul/min +. Greater stability than the Ari Mist HP.
NX - 175 PTFE Teflon & PEEK PEEK 30 50 - 1000 175 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Very possible All standard Medium salts, NO particles. Excellent %RSD (< 1%) & sensitivity. Designed for NexION and Bruker/Varian ICP-MS low flow applications with 1.2 L/min gas flow at 50 psi. Can also do micro flow for alcohol, organics: 5 ul/min + Greater stability than the Ari Mist HP.
ENYA Mist PTFE Teflon PEEK 50 0.2 - 50 60 34 mm 6 mm 65 mm 2 mm Very possible All (runs well with a Mini Chamber) Medium salts, NO particles. Good %RSD (< 2%). Excellent sensitivity, but low flow lowers intensities. Tiny sample passage allows for split flow - pump 30 - 50X what actually arrives in the nebulizer. The rest goes to the drain. Minimizes oxides in ICP-MS.

Special Purpose Nebulizers

Nebulizer Model Body Material Operating Pressure at .8 l/min (PSI) Sample Flow Rate (microliters/min) Sample Capillary I.D. (microns) Nose Length Nose Diameter Overall Length Standard Gas Line Ability to Plug Compatable Chambers Applications & Comments
SS 50 Stainless Steel Requires ~ 2 L/min at 50 psi 10 - 5,000 1800 2" - 18" 0.125" Varies (customizable) 1/8" Will not plug Special Made for use in high temperatures, low to high flow. Commonly used for material coatings and nano particle production. Designed for industrial applications, not for ICP analysis.
LB 30 Generally PTFE, but can be made from Peek or most other materials Requires ~ 15 L/min at 40-50 psi 2,000 - 30,000 1000 12 mm 1/4" pipe thread Varies (customizable) 1/8" Will not plug Industrial High sample flow rates, excellent mist. Runs 2 to 50 ml/min, with optimum from 5 to 35 ml/min. Designed for industrial applications, not for ICP analysis.
LB 80 Generally PTFE, but can be made from Peek or most other materials Requires ~ 40 L/min at 40-50 psi 500 - 80,000 3000 100 mm 4" 12 mm 0.5" Varies (customizable) 3 mm Will not plug Industrial High sample flow rates, excellent mist. Runs .5 to 80 ml/min, with optimum from 5 to 70 ml/min. Designed for industrial applications, not for ICP analysis.
LB 100 Generally PTFE, but can be made from Peek or most other materials Requires ~ 50 L/min at 45-55 psi 1,000 - 100,000 3000 100 mm 4" 12 mm 0.5" Varies (customizable) 3 mm Will not plug Industrial High sample flow rates, excellent mist. Runs 1 to 100 ml/min, with optimum from 5 to 80 ml/min. Designed for industrial applications, not for ICP analysis.

Discussion of Selection Criteria

Burgener Nebulizers have pressure ratings to indicate what pressure is required for 1 liter per minute Argon flow. Most Torches require .7 to .8 L/min, and flow rates above or below the torch optimum change the location of the plasma, and therefore also change the resultant intensities and stability of the plasma. The type of torch determines the optimum flow rates, not the nebulizer. The optimum pressure for the nebulizer is usually as high a pressure as your instrument will provide. But the Optimum flow rate is determined by the type of torch and rarely matches the optimum of the nebulizer itself. While optimizing nebulizer flow rates or pressures, you are optimizing the flow rates to the torch and the whole system.