Abstract: The atomic constituents of volatile organic compounds are determined by a burner design having improved stability and, consequently, increased detection sensitivity. An optical window is included at one end of a burner tube to stabilize a hydrogen-air flame to avoid blow out. Since air and combined air and helium are introduced immediately in front of the window and the flow rate of the gases and a sample are particularly oriented, burning is complete for increased detection sensitivity by an interconnected atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Abstract: An improvement for an anodic stripping voltammetry system for measuring the resence and concentration of trace metals in a seawater solution yields more representative readings. A combination electrode is fashioned from a porous polyethylene cylinder having a coaxial bore for receiving the flowing solution. A helically extending silver/silver chloride reference electrode is disposed on the outside of the cylinder and a platinum counter electrode is located in its bore. The porous polyethylene prevents chlorides from contaminating the reference electrode while the counter electrode drains off currents. Thus, more representative potential readings between a working electrode and the reference electrode are made as trace metals are stripped away into the circulating solution.