Abstract: A sample autoloader loads a sample into a furnace and removes a sample from the furnace. The sample autoloader includes a sealing plate for sealing the furnace. The sample autoloader also includes a mechanism for pushing a sample into the furnace and removing a sample from the furnace. The sample autoloader may include a hotel which stores sample containers for automatic loading and a container which receives spent sample containers.

Abstract: A sample autoloader loads a sample into a furnace and removes a sample from the furnace. The sample autoloader includes a sealing plate for sealing the furnace. The sample autoloader also includes a mechanism for pushing a sample into the furnace and removing a sample from the furnace. The sample autoloader may include a hotel which stores sample containers for automatic loading and a container which receives spent sample containers.

Abstract: An analytical furnace includes a pair of generally vertically extending coaxially mounted spaced furnace tubes mounted to a support. The inner tube is made of a material which does not react with the specimen during pyrolysis to produce intereferring byproducts. An analytical sample crucible is supported above the support by a carbonaceous material which in the preferred embodiment comprises a combination of a carbon-felt packing material resting on the support and granular carbon black on which the crucible is placed. The material is selected to position the crucible in the hot zone of the furnace which includes a heater for heating an analytical sample for pyrolysis. The analytical furnace further includes a lance tube extending over and in coaxial alignment with the inner and outer furnace tubes for directing a sample and a carrier gas into the open mouth of the cup-shaped crucible.