Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for the loss-on-drying determination of the volatile content of a wide variety of samples.

Abstract: A filtration method and associated apparatus are disclosed for improving the separation yield of matrix based compositions. The method includes the steps of positioning a matrix based composition that includes at least some liquid in a filter vessel and applying a moderate over-pressure to the composition upstream of the filter to accelerate the movement of liquid through the filter. The associated apparatus includes a funnel support, a funnel resting in the funnel support, a filter cup resting in the funnel opposite the funnel support, an over-pressure cap for engaging the filter cup opposite the funnel, and a source of pressurized gas in communication with the over-pressure cap for supplying a moderate over pressure to the filter cup for accelerating the movement of solvent through the filter cup and the funnel.

Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for the loss-on-drying determination of the volatile content of a wide variety of samples.

Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for the loss-on-drying determination of the volatile content of a wide variety of samples.

Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for the loss-on-drying determination of the volatile content of a wide variety of samples.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for microwave assisted content analysis. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample while concurrently rotating the sample while the microwave radiation is being applied and while concurrently weighing the sample and while measuring the temperature of the sample and controlling or moderating the microwaves applied to the sample based upon the measured temperature.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for microwave assisted content analysis. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample while concurrently rotating the sample while the microwave radiation is being applied and while concurrently weighing the sample and while measuring the temperature of the sample and controlling or moderating the microwaves applied to the sample based upon the measured temperature.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for microwave assisted content analysis. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample while concurrently rotating the sample while the microwave radiation is being applied and while concurrently weighing the sample and while measuring the temperature of the sample and controlling or moderating the microwaves applied to the sample based upon the measured temperature.

Abstract: A process for extracting extractable material from a base material in which it is present, while protecting against explosion of any solvent vapor in air includes heating by microwave radiation in a closed pressure-resistant and heat-resistant container, such base material, extractable material and organic extraction solvent, passing air near or into contact with the extraction container so that it will carry away from the container any escaping solvent vapor, and passing said air with the solvent vapor, if present, into contact with solvent detector which turns off a source of microwave radiation when the solvent vapor is present. Preferably the invented process will include passing the air, with any solvent vapor which may be present in it, to a flow detector, which will turn off the source of microwave radiation if flow ceases.

Abstract: An explosion proof microwave heated solvent extraction apparatus or system for extracting organic materials includes a pressure resistant microwave transmissive extraction container, which is preferably of reinforced polyetherimide lined with fluoropolymer, in a microwave radiation heated chamber, with a device for controlling a microwave radiation generator, such as a magnetron, in response to the presence of any solvent vapor in a collection container for rupture diaphragm discharged material from an extraction container or in exhaust gas from the chamber. The presence of the solvent in the collection container or exhaust gas is preferably detected by a semiconductor gas sensor which decreases its electrical resistance in the presence of solvent vapors, thereby increasing its voltage and thus controlling operation of the magnetron, turning it off when solvent vapor (and a potentially explosive gas mixture) is present.

Abstract: A highly preferred container for ashable material, which material is to be ashed by heat in an ashing furnace, while it is in such container, especially when such container is to be heated by microwave radiation onto microwave absorptive elements of the furnace, which thereby heat the container, is a heat resistant, walled container which is light weight, microwave transmissive, porous and air transmissive, which is of quartz microfibers that are held in desired walled container form, preferably in substantially flat cylindrical form. Such a container may be made by shaping a heat resistant, light weight, microwave transmissive and porous non-woven sheet of quartz microfibers to container form and heating and curing such sheet in such form, preferably after moistening it with water, whereby a form-retaining container results that can be successfully employed to hold ashable samples to be ashed for analysis during microwave powered ashings of such samples.

Abstract: A container for an ashable material, to be ashed by heat in an ashing furnace, especially one heated by microwave radiation onto microwave absorptive elements thereof, comprises a heat resistant, walled container which is light weight, microwave transmissive and porous, and which is of quartz microfibers that are held in desired walled container form, preferably in substantially flat cylindrical form. Such a container is made by shaping a heat resistant, light weight, microwave transmissive and porous non-woven sheet of quartz microfibers to container form and heating and curing such sheet in such form, preferably after moistening it with water, whereby a form-retaining container results that can be successfully employed to hold ashable analytic samples during ashings thereof.

Abstract: A resistance heating furnace employs a pair of spaced electrodes, one of which is movable to clamp a resistive crucible between the electrodes for passing current therethrough for heating a specimen positioned in the crucible to fuse the specimen. A passageway is provided through one of the electrodes to permit an inert carrier gas to remove gases from the crucible for subsequent analysis. The electrode construction includes a relatively highly conductive base material electrically coupled to a power source for actuating the electrodes and inserts coupled to the surfaces of the electrodes which engage the resistive crucible. The insert material has a relatively high melting point and hardness and a relatively high thermal and electrical conductivity to increase the heating of the crucible and improve the durability of the electrodes.