Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of a compound preparation method and apparatus which can be used to prepare a compound or sample for a further analytical or reactive process. Preferably the present invention may be adapted to cool the compound in question to increase its rigidity and to subsequently allow for the mechanical processing of the compound to render it into a plurality of particles or components of substantially the same size.

Abstract: A method and assembly are described to dry soil for use in testing a variety of physical and chemical parameters such as phosphorus content. The method broadly involves the steps of particle size reduction, subjecting the sample to an airflow and also heating of the soil sample. It is the inventors experience that by use of the method of the present invention, samples can be prepared for accurate analysis with as little as 20 minutes rather than the more traditional methods which take 20 to 24 hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the preparation and analysis of soil samples to determine the presence, concentration and/or volume of at least one component in a soil sample, including preparation steps of extracting the component from the sample by use of aqueous solution and, depending on the element, adding a complexing agent to the aqueous solution and soil mixture. The resulting mixture is then able to be analysed via NIR or UV/Vis spectrometry as the component, not normally detectable via NIR or UV/Vis spectrometry, is converted into an accurately measurable form. The methods of the present invention may be used to obtain a test results on site and within a time period of 10 to 45 minutes rather than a time period of days using present methods.