High frequency ultrasonic nebulizer for hot liquids

A system for nebulizing a high-temperature liquid which comprises:

• a conical concentrator having a first end and a second end, said conical concentrator defining a vertex;
• an enclosure attached to the first end of said concentrator, said enclosure having a substantially spherical-shaped surface located at a first radial distance from the vertex;
• a transducer attached to the second end of said concentrator, said transducer having a substantially spherical-shaped surface located at a second radial distance from the vertex, wherein the second radial distance is greater than the first radial distance;
• a substantially cylindrical-shaped droplet manifold defining an axis and having a first end and a second end, with the first end of said manifold positioned over the first end of said concentrator to press against said concentrator with a substantially fluid-tight seal at an interface therebetween to establish a liquid chamber in said manifold, wherein the axis of said manifold substantially passes through the vertex of said concentrator;
• a tube for introducing the high-temperature liquid into said liquid chamber to maintain a surface level for the liquid substantially at the vertex;
• and
• a means for activating said transducer to launch acoustic waves in a direction therefrom toward the vertex to nebulize the liquid into droplets.