Abstract: A calorimeter includes a bucket cover which is used to reconfigure an isothermal water reservoir to provide for temperature equilibration prior to sample analysis and subsequently define a fixed volume of water during analysis in which high precision temperature measurements can be recorded. The apparatus includes mechanisms for sealing and controlling the cover, and for coupling the combustion vessel to the cover while minimizing the thermal contact between them. Improved thermal isolation between the fixed volume of water and the surrounding environment is also achieved.

Abstract: A calorimeter includes a bucket cover which is used to reconfigure an isothermal water reservoir to provide for temperature equilibration prior to sample analysis and subsequently define a fixed volume of water during analysis in which high precision temperature measurements can be recorded. The apparatus includes mechanisms for sealing and controlling the cover, and for coupling the combustion vessel to the cover while minimizing the thermal contact between them. Improved thermal isolation between the fixed volume of water and the surrounding environment is also achieved.

Abstract: A calorimeter includes a bucket cover which is used to reconfigure an isothermal water reservoir to provide for temperature equilibration prior to sample analysis and subsequently define a fixed volume of water during analysis in which high precision temperature measurements can be recorded. The apparatus includes mechanisms for sealing and controlling the cover, and for coupling the combustion vessel to the cover while minimizing the thermal contact between them. Improved thermal isolation between the fixed volume of water and the surrounding environment is also achieved.

Abstract: An analyzer having a combustion furnace includes a gas flow stream including a combustion detector in the stream of byproducts of combustion and a variable volume ballast chamber for receiving byproducts of combustion and which has a movable piston which moves in response to the introduced combustion byproducts. Subsequently, an aliquot sample from the chamber is forced through detectors for elements being detected. The method of analysis incorporating the present invention includes filling a variable volume ballast chamber with byproducts of combustion until combustion completion has been detected and, subsequently, forcing at least an aliquot sample of the combustion byproducts from the variable volume ballast chamber into a flow path including detectors for the elements of interest.

Abstract: An analyzer having a combustion furnace includes a gas flow stream including a combustion detector in the stream of byproducts of combustion and a variable volume ballast chamber for receiving byproducts of combustion and which has a movable piston which moves in response to the introduced combustion byproducts. Subsequently, an aliquot sample from the chamber is forced through detectors for elements being detected. The method of analysis incorporating the present invention includes filling a variable volume ballast chamber with byproducts of combustion until combustion completion has been detected and, subsequently, forcing at least an aliquot sample of the combustion byproducts from the variable volume ballast chamber into a flow path including detectors for the elements of interest.