Abstract: By heating a wire and positioning the wire against a specimen, the specimen may be pyrolyzed to release a pyrolysate therefrom. The pyrolysate is collected in a hood and carried to a membrane separator from which the pyrolysate may be spectrochemically analyzed. The heated wire may be repeatedly indexed for replacing the adulterated portion of the wire with a clean portion of the wire for each subsequent pyrolysis and spectrochemical analysis of the pyrolysate therefrom. A pyrolysis instrument includes a movable probe supporting the heated wire with the probe being preferably joined to a remote membrane separator flexibly joined thereto.

Abstract: By heating a wire and positioning the wire against a specimen, the specimen may be pyrolyzed to release a pyrolysate therefrom. The pyrolysate is collected in a hood and carried to a membrane separator from which the pyrolysate may be spectrochemically analyzed. The heated wire may be repeatedly indexed for replacing the adulterated portion of the wire with a clean portion of the wire for each subsequent pyrolysis and spectrochemical analysis of the pyrolysate therefrom. A pyrolysis instrument includes a movable probe supporting the heated wire with the probe being preferably joined to a remote membrane separator flexibly joined thereto.

Abstract: A device for trapping reaction products and especially for generating and trapping decomposition products from thermal decomposition processes, including combustion, is described. Decomposition products of a solid sample are formed at the top end of an externally heated vertical decomposition tube and are channeled downward through a region of decreased diameter in which a trapping device is positioned. The trapping device consists of two vertical concentric tubes of which the top end of the inner tube is slightly lower than that of the outer tube. Water flows upward between the two concentric tubes, traps the decomposition products at the top, and drops down through the inner concentric tube. Products contained in the water are collected externally from the lower end of the trapping device for analysis. The insoluble gaseous products are collected by an external vacuum system after passing through the stream of water.

Abstract: A switching device for a high resolution multidimensional gas chromatograph and a method of supplying a constituent from a component of a sample in a gas chromatograph effluent to a mass spectrometer. A series of open-split interfaces are interposed between a series of gas chromatographs having gas chromatographic columns with different liquid phases. An inert auxiliary fluid such as helium is supplied to the interfaces for carrying the effluent through the various stages of the device. A transfer member of the first interface is initially positioned to a first position to divert the inert fluid and the effluent to atmosphere until the desired component starts eluting from the first gas chromatograph. The transfer member of the first interface is then repositioned to a second position to direct the component and the inert fluid to the second gas chromatograph.

Abstract: An apparatus for combining a liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer is described. The liquid chromatograph elution solvent is removed and sample particles are carried to the mass spectrometer relatively free of solvent.

Abstract: Sets of certain halogenated aromatic organic compounds, for example, N-alkyl tetrahalophthalimides, have been found useful as chemical tags when employed in a thermal particulating organic resin. Improved tagging performance has been achieved over extended use periods at temperatures up to 140.degree. C., if the tags are microencapsulated prior to incorporation into the particulating organic resin.

Abstract: This mass spectrometer field desorption device has a field anode in the form of a directionally solidified alloy eutectic wire of relatively large active surface and includes electrical resistance heating element to heat the field anode and thereby improve field desorption performance.

Abstract: Delivery of a test specimen vapor--carrier gas mixture into a gas chromatograph is accomplished by means of an apparatus including a barrel to receive a probe which serves to maintain the test specimen in contact with carrier gas within the barrel, a heating coil disposed around portions of the barrel housing the sample, and a compression seal releasably bearing against a portion of the probe to prevent air flow into and gas flow from the open end of the barrel.