Abstract: A multi-port, fluid-activated valve mechanism in which positive pressures of control fluids are used to sequentially actuate fluids which seal respective valve ports sequentially. Fritted glass and liquid metals impervious to fritted glass are used as valving means.

Abstract: A gas chromatographic apparatus is provided which comprises a gas chromatography column, a detector and an extended conduit between the column and the detector, the conduit providing means for flow of a gas so as to enable essentially complete elution of the gas from the column before the gas is detected by the detector. The apparatus can be adapted for use in an instrument for the elemental analysis of a sample for carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur. The invention method includes the steps of introducing a sample in vapor form into a gas chromatography column, passing the sample through the column so as to separate at least one component of interest, passing the component of interest through a conduit to the detector so as to reach the detector after the essentially complete elution of the component of interest from the column.

Abstract: The surface area of a plurality of samples is measured in an apparatus in which these samples are all included in a housing, subjected to adsorption of the adsorbing fluid and seriatim moved into a desorption zone in which one sample at a time is subjected to a desorption step. In another embodiment, a plurality of individual sample holders are each provided with an individual heating element to allow seriatim desorption by switching the heating of the samples from one heating element to the next. No movement of the sample holders is required in this embodiment. The apparatus and operation lends itself to automation.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a specific ion in a solution which involves dividing the solution to be analyzed into two portions. One portion is treated with an ion exchange resin with the other portion being treted with a reagent, e.g., a precipitating agent in order to remove the desired ion from solution, and at least one ion exchange resin. The reagent and ion exchange resin can be one and the same. The two streams are then passed into opposite sides of a detection cell comprising two ion specific electrodes connected through conventional bridge circuitry. The concentration of the desired ion is determined from the difference in electrical potential between the two ion specific electrodes. Instead of dividing the stream and then treating the reference portion it is also possible to treat the entire stream first to replace all ions changed oppositely to the desired ions and then divide the streams.

Abstract: The surface area of a plurality of samples is measured in an apparatus in which these samples are all included in a housing, subjected to adsorption of the adsorbing fluid and seriatim moved into a desorption zone in which one sample at a time is subjected to a desorption step. The apparatus and operation lends itself to automation.

Abstract: A quantitative analysis system is provided wherein a sample is decomposed in a decomposition chamber, the reaction product mixture is passed to a first chromatographic zone wherein a first separation of the reaction mixture is carried out, the last major component eluting from the first chromatographic zone is measured and then vented, the first major components eluting from the first chromatographic zone are passed to a second chromatographic zone and the products eluting therefrom are measured. Alternatively, the first major component eluting from the second chromatographic zone can be passed to a third chromatographic zone for greater resolution, followed by measurement thereof, in which case the second major component eluting from the second chromatographic zone is vented.A method is provided for the analysis for C, H and N by gas chromatography. A method is also provided for the analysis for oxygen, alone, and for oxygen and sulfur by gas chromatography.

Abstract: A system for treating waste gas in which the waste gas is contacted with an absorbent which contains manganese dioxide; thereafter contacting the absorbent with water to solubilize salts of manganese with an acidic ion exchange resin that retains manganese and passes acids formed from manganese salts; contacting the ion exchange resin and contained manganese with dilute nitric acid to obtain Mn(NO.sub.3).sub.2 solution; and precipitating MnO.sub.2 from the Mn(NO.sub.3).sub.2 solution.