Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolysis of a sample of a composite material containing a combustible binder includes a combustion chamber configured to receive a sample of the composite material and having an outlet. A heater is associated with the combustion chamber for heating the chamber to a temperature sufficient for pyrolysis of the binder. A blower is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber for creating an airflow through the outlet to remove airborne pyrolysis products from the combustion chamber. An adjustable airflow regulator is operable to adjustably control the airflow to provide a desired minimum residence time within the combustion chamber sufficient for complete pyrolysis of the airborne pyrolysis byproducts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting changes in a physical property of the material beneath a large storage vessel, such as a landfill. The apparatus includes one or more tubes defining elongate channels in the material beneath the storage vessel. A sensing probe is moved through the channel while taking and collecting measurements of the physical property of the material in the vicinity of the probe. Typically, moisture and/or density may be measured using conventional nuclear sources and associated detectors. The measurements are compared with reference data to thereby detect a change indicating a leak in the storage vessel.