Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispersing a sample in a process stream is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conduit which receives a sample at a first end and passes the sample to a pyrolysis furnace through a second end. A port is provided to admit a carrier gas. A dispersing device, preferably consisting of quartz wool, distributes the sample throughout the conduit, so that the sample may be heated by the pyrolysis furnace without coking. The method comprises the steps of receiving a sample in a conduit, dispersing the sample within a fluid carrier such that the sample is uniformly mixed throughout the fluid carrier.

Abstract: A concentration measuring apparatus is provided having a fluid sensing means, an optic transmission means, a signal processing means, and an interface means. The fluid sensing means comprises a reflective sensing media in a self-contained cassette. The cassette is operationally associated with a sample chamber. The cassette advances the reflective sensing media by a motor which is driven by the signal processing means. The optic means comprises a fiber optic line which is partially associated with a lamp and partially associated with a photocell. Light having a wave length in a specified range originates from the lamp, passes through a portion of the fiber optic cable and is cast upon the reflective sensing media. The altnerate portion of the fiber optic cable receives the reflected light from the reflective sensing media for transfer to the photocell. A signal is generated by the photocell representative of the change of reflectivity of the light from the reflective sensing media.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing a sample for use in combination with a pyrolysis furnace for measuring the concentration of a fluid in a process stream or environment is provided. A conduit is provided having a first end for receiving the sample and a second end through which the sample exits. The pyrolysis furnace surrounds the second end of the conduit for heating the conduit and any sample passing there through. A dispersing device is used to distribute the sample throughout the conduit such that the sample is heated in the conduit by the pyrolysis furnace without causing coking within the conduit. Also, a method for dispersing a sample for use in combination with a pyrolysis furnace for measuring the concentration of a fluid in a process stream or environment is provided.