Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for washing samples that are intended to be introduced in an analysis apparatus, particularly for elemental analysis, which has a chamber sized such as to house only one sample at a time, means for feeding the samples, from a condition in contact with the ambient atmosphere, one at a time to said chamber, means for closing said sample-containing chamber relative to the environment, means for feeding and releasing a washing gas to and from said chamber, and means for opening this chamber to the analysis apparatus in sealed conditions relative to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Elemental analysis of a sample is carried out in an oxygen atmosphere in a combustion reactor and the volume of oxygen required for analysis is determined by means of the algorithm Qo=&Dgr;(Qc)  [1] where Qo is the volume of oxygen required and Qc is the weight of the sample to be analyzed and &Dgr;=Qo1/Qc1 where Qo1 is the volume of oxygen necessary for the combustion of a predetermined quantity Qc1 of the sample to be analyzed, the volume of oxygen Qo is then fed in pulsed mode to the combustion reactor, by means of a flow detector.

Abstract: In elemental analysers with a valve control system of inert gas and oxygen supply, which opens the oxygen supply at preset moments, with regard to the introduction of the sample into the combustion reactor, the oxygen supply is controlled by the detection, over time, of at least one of the parameters, whose variation is determined by flash combustion in the combustion reactor, closing the oxygen supply depending on said state over time. The parameters are brightness, temperature and pressure in the combustion chamber and/or pressure upstream the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Elemental analysis of a sample is carried out in an oxygen atmosphere in a combustion reactor and the volume of oxygen required for analysis is determined by means of the algorithm