Technical Study of Some Major Parameters Influencing the Performances of an Aerosol Delivery Equipment Suitable for Calves

Aerosol delivery equipment, suitable for the treatment of bovine respiratory dysfunctions and including 2 parallelly positioned jet nebulizers, was studied in depth in order to determine the optimal working conditions in the field. Indeed, some factors might reasonably alter the performance of this equipment. Among these factors, the influences of the parallel position of jet nebulizers (in order to accommodate the breathing requirements of the cattle and achieve a rapid treatment), of the long feed pipe delivering compressed air (in order to keep the animal away from the compressor unit), and finally of the ambient temperature were studied, this equipment being essentially used during the winter season. This equipment could accommodate the breathing needs of cattle weighing up to 225 kg if a pressure of 600 kPa was developed upstream to the nebulizers. The rate of atomization was significantly reduced when working at ambient air temperatures (272.25 K < T < 274.65 K) close to those encountered in winter. This was especially true when pressure upstream to the nebulizers did not exceed 500 kPa. The immersion of the feed pipe for compressed air in hot water led to an increase in the rate of atomization without raising evaporative water losses, and reduced the drop in temperature in the nebulizer solution. Finally, the rate of atomization significantly increased when the face mask including the nebulizers was maintained so that the nebulizers were in a vertical position or at an angle not less than 60 degrees with respect to the ground.