Abstract: A method for analyzing specific chemical substances in a gaseous environment which utilizes a thermionic source formed of multiple layers of ceramic material composition, an electrical current instrumentality for heating the thermionic source to operating temperatures in the range of 100.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C., an instrumentality for exposing the surface of the thermionic source to contact with the specific chemical substances for the purpose of forming gas phase ionization of the substances by a process of electrical charge emission from the surface, a collector electrode disposed adjacent to the thermionic source, an instrumentality for biasing the thermionic source at an electrical potential which causes the gas phase ions to move toward the collector, and an instrumentality for measuring the ion current arriving at the collector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing specific chemical substances in a gaseous environment comprises a thermionic source formed of multiple layers of ceramic material composition, an electrical current instrumentality for heating the thermionic source to operating temperatures in the range of 100.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C., an instrumentality for exposing the surface of the thermionic source to contact with the specific chemical substances for the purpose of forming gas phase ionization of the substances by a process of electrical charge emission from the surface, a collector electrode disposed adjacent to the thermionic source, an instrumentality for biasing the thermionic source at an electrical potential which causes the gas phase ions to move toward the collector, and an instrumentality for measuring the ion current arriving at the collector.

Abstract: A gas stream detection apparatus having a balanced resistive bridge network enclosed within a housing and an electronic power supply for driving the bridge network. The power supply includes a voltage source feeding a voltage-to-current converter with two differential inputs, a current sensing resistor between the converter and bridge, twin feedback paths to the differential inputs, and a large source resistance connected to the voltage source and in parallel with a smaller source resistance, each connected to separate differential inputs. The resistance R of two bridge filaments increase by .DELTA.R when exposed to high sample gas concentration causing variations in a current I supplied to the bridge. As .DELTA.R increases, a bridge output voltage E.sub.O decreases. The dependence of current I on .DELTA.R depends on circuit parameters. The difference between the source resistances permits the voltage source to be non-constant and load dependent.

Abstract: An instrument for the analysis of a sample material to detect the presence of specific substances that thermally decompose into electronegative species comprises a sensitized surface, means for heating the sensitized surface in a gaseous environment to generate a gaseous boundary layer adjacent the sensitized surface, means for causing the sample material to interact with the sensitized surface to form negative ions, a collector electrode maintainable at a different electrical potential from the sensitized surface to cause a current of these negative ions to the collector electrode, and means for measuring the ion current. The sensitized surface is formed on a ceramic body that is impregnated with an alkali metal. The composition and temperature of the sensitized surface, and the composition of the gaseous boundary layer are selected according to the specific substance to be detected.

Abstract: A two-flame burner is used in a flame photometric detector for analyzing a sample material. The sample material is introduced via a first conduit structure into a hydrogen-rich first flame, and the combustion products and excess hydrogen from the first flame are passed via a second conduit structure into an oxygen-containing environment. A second flame is maintained at the exit end of the second conduit structure. The first and second conduit structures are composed of material that does not contribute to the coloration of the second flame during operation of the detector. Particular constituents of the sample material are detected by observing the presence of colors in the second flame indicative of the constituents. For example, the presence of sulfur is indicated by a blue coloration, and the presence of phosphorus is indicated by a green coloration.