Abstract: A calorimeter that measures heat release rates of very small samples (on the order of one to 10 milligrams) without the need to separately and simultaneously measure the mass loss rate of the sample and the heat of combustion of the fuel gases produced during the fuel generation process. The sample is thermally decomposed in a small volume pyrolysis chamber. The resulting fuel gases are immedediately swept by an inert gas stream from the pyrolysis chamber into a combustion furnace in a plug-like flow. This plug flow substantially synchronizes the emerging fuel gases with the mass loss rate of the sample. Oxygen is metered into the fuel gas stream just before it enters the combustion furnace where the fuel gases are completely oxidized. The effluent from the furnace is analyzed to determine the amount of oxygen consumed per unit time and the heat release rate is computed without the need to separately measure the mass loss rate of the sample.

Abstract: A more efficient combustion or oxidation device for the formation of nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulfur oxides from a sample containing these elemental constituents is disclosed. The device uses multi-staged addition of an oxidizing agent to enhance oxidation and liberation of nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulfur oxides for subsequent detection. The oxidation devices of the present invention allow for the injection of larger samples or, the introduction of a greater amount of sample per unit of time which results in a larger amount of analyte being delivered to the detector per unit of time, thereby improving detection limits and detection efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolysis of a bituminous paving mix is provided, comprising an oven having a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls defining a combustion chamber, a sample support within the combustion chamber, an infrared heater mounted within the oven and arranged for emitting infrared radiation towards the sample holder so as to heat a sample of paving mix by means of radiation heat transfer, an air inlet positioned for emitting air into the combustion chamber, and an outlet positioned to provide for the circulation of air and combustion gases through the combustion chamber. The apparatus may further include a blower located on the downstream side of the outlet for inducing flow into the combustion chamber by the inlet and out of the combustion chamber by the outlet. A variable speed blower controller may be used to vary the blower speed during paralysis of the paving mix.

Abstract: The invention features methods and systems for detecting the presence of an energetic material in a sample in which the presence of the energetic material is unknown. The method includes the steps of: heating the sample; measuring heat flow between the sample and its surrounding environment, e.g., by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); and analyzing the measured heat flow between the sample and its surrounding environment. An exothermal peak in the measured heat flow indicates the presence of the energetic material in the sample. The system includes a thermal measuring apparatus for performing the heating and measuring steps, and an analyzer for detecting the presence of the energetic material based on the measured heat flow. The invention also features methods and systems for identifying contraband materials (e.g., explosives and drugs) by measuring the thermogram (e.g., by DSC) of a sample to be identified and comparing it to reference thermograms for known contraband materials.

Abstract: Elemental analysis of a sample is carried out in an oxygen atmosphere in a combustion reactor and the volume of oxygen required for analysis is determined by means of the algorithm

Abstract: Disclosed are a closed heat-decomposing appliance comprising a heating section with one side closed and other side having common ground portion, screw portion or O-ring-mounted portion and a closed introducing section that allows to connect to this heating section and common ground portion, screw portion or O-ring via O-ring-mounted portion and has cock or valve as a mechanism for closing and introducing the absorbing liquid to absorb the testing components from outside after heat-decomposition, or has packing or septum to introduce the absorbing liquid with needle pipe as well, and a pretreatment method of sample using this appliance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for collecting a sample gaseous mercury, to differentiate between different gaseous mercury components. A quartz denuder module is provided having a coated extended surface for adsorbing reactive gaseous mercury. After collection of a sample, the coating it is heated to desorb the mercury as elemental gaseous mercury, which can then be detected and measured in conventional analyzer. During the sampling phase, as reactive gaseous mercury is removed from the sample flow in the denuder, the sample can then be passed to the analyzer for detection of elemental gaseous mercury. Where particulate mercury may be present, a filter trap can be provided downstream from the denuder. Separate steps can be provided for heating and pyrolysis of particulate mercury, for separate measurement in the analyzer. The pump module can be configured to a past the gas sample through scrubbers, to generate zero air as a flushing gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing the aggregate content of asphalt-aggregate compositions. The method includes placing a preheated, preweighed container carrying a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition into a preheated furnace with the preheated furnace being warmer than the preheated sample, continuing to heat the furnace while drawing air through the furnace at a rate that avoids impeding the heating of the furnace or the sample until the sample in the container reaches its combustion temperature and the combustion of the sample becomes exothermic, initiating a second draw of air around rather than through the furnace to moderate the exterior temperature of the furnace, accelerating the draw through the furnace to increase the rate of combustion of the exothermic reaction, and reweighing the container and sample after combustion is complete.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing the aggregate content of asphalt-aggregate compositions. The method includes placing a preheated, preweighed container carrying a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition into a preheated furnace with the preheated furnace being warmer than the preheated sample, continuing to heat the furnace while drawing air through the furnace at a rate that avoids impeding the heating of the furnace or the sample until the sample in the container reaches its combustion temperature and the combustion of the sample becomes exothermic, initiating a second draw of air around rather than through the furnace to moderate the exterior temperature of the furnace, accelerating the draw through the furnace to increase the rate of combustion of the exothermic reaction, and reweighing the container and sample after combustion is complete.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing asphalt-aggregate compositions. The method includes directing sufficient microwave radiation from a microwave source to a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition to ignite the asphalt in the composition and to thereafter entirely combust the asphalt in the sample. The apparatus includes a source of microwave radiation, a cavity in communication with the microwave source, a sample holder in the cavity for holding a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition during exposure to microwaves from the source, thermal insulation between the sample holder and the remainder of the cavity, and means for minimizing or eliminating any undesired combustion products generated by the burning asphalt.

Abstract: A method for the determination of total organic carbon in an aqueous sample by trapping the organic matter on a sorbent which is carbon free and analyzing the sorbent by combustion and determination of total CO2 by IR.

Abstract: A method for determining constituents in water, in particular the content of organic carbon and/or nitrogen, in which an aqueous sample is evaporated and combusted in at least one heating vessel (154a) provided with a heater (154), and the combustion product is delivered in a transporting gas stream to a detector (142) for determining the concentration of a gaseous compound of the constituent, wherein the heating vessel, or a first heating vessel, at the instant of delivery of the aqueous sample has a temperature below or at most within the range of the boiling temperature of the sample, and after delivery of the sample the temperature is increased, wherein the sample is heated by one and the same heater in a first step from an outset temperature below the boiling temperature to an evaporation temperature, and in a second step to a substantially higher temperature, and the combustion product is kept in closed circulation during the analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for modulating the flux of oxygen impinging on a calorimetric gas sensor. The method and apparatus are based on modulating the oxygen concentration of a gas mixture presented to the microcalorimeter between a predetermined high level and at a substantially zero value to create a modulated output to reduce the noise of the sensor and to eliminate its zero-offset.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assaying an asphalt-containing composite material by irradiating the sample using a radiation source having a tunable preselected wavelength selected to closely approximate the absorbance wavelength of a particular material or materials found in the composite material to reduce the overall time and temperatures ordinarily needed to combust and assay such samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting NO.sub.x by chemiluminescence. The apparatus includes a sample gas line having an inlet port for receiving a sample gas, a NO.sub.x converter connected to the sample gas line, a N.sub.2 diluting gas line connected to the sample gas line upstream from the NO.sub.x converter, a bypass exhaust lie connected to the sample gas line, and a chemiluminescence analyzer connected to the NO.sub.x converter. The sample gas, which contains a NO.sub.x component, is introduced to the sample gas line through an inlet portion. The sample gas is diluted with nitrogen gas from the nitrogen diluting gas line, and the NO.sub.x component in the sample gas is converted to NO by the NO.sub.x converter. The chemiluminescence analyzer detects the NO.sub.x component.

Abstract: A system is provided in an exhaust emission sampling system for controlling a flow controller in order to compensate for the effects of changing water vapor content in a diluted sample having a predetermined dilution ratio. A water measuring device such as a relative humidity sensor generates a water vapor signal based on the amount of water vapor in the diluted sample. The water vapor signal is then processed within a control unit to obtain a value for the amount of water in the diluted sample. A control signal is generated by the control unit based on the amount of water vapor, flow rate of the exhaust emissions, and also, on the type of fuel used in the combustion process to control the flow controller which is, preferably, a mass flow controller. A second system is provided in an exhaust emission analyzing system for determining a final amount of pollutants also compensated for the effects of changing water vapor content in the exhaust emissions.

Abstract: The invention provides a gas sensor for selective detection of hydrocarbons in low-oxygen gases, having a capacitive element and a gas-permeable sensitive layer as a dielectric. The sensitive layer is a precious-metal-doped zeolite which has a regular crystalline structure made of primary pores whose diameter is in the order of the gas-kinetic diameter of the gas molecules to be detected.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a control method and system are provided in an exhaust emission sampling system for controlling a flow controller in order to compensate for the effects of changing water vapor content in a diluted sample having a predetermined dilution ratio. A water measuring device such as a relative humidity sensor generates a water vapor signal based on the amount of water vapor in the diluted sample. The water vapor signal is then processed within a control unit to obtain a value for the amount of water in the diluted sample. A control signal is generated by the control unit based on the amount of water vapor, flow rate of the exhaust emissions, and also, on the type of fuel used in the combustion process to control the flow controller which is, preferably, a mass flow controller.

Abstract: A flame based method for analyzing a sample by introducing the sample into a combustible gas mixture, igniting the combustible gas mixture to produce a flame, and detecting a characteristic of the resulting flame to determine the identity and/or concentration of one or more chemical substances in the sample, wherein the combustible gas mixture is generated by water electrolysis. The same method is also utilizable for determining the identity and/or concentration of one or more chemical compounds in the sample. A flame based detector apparatus for analyzing a sample is also described.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for determining the nitrogen content of a sample involving (a) combusting the sample in a combustion reactor in the presence of oxygen, which oxygen is introduced into the combustion reactor in pulse form; (b) reducing the resulting combustion gases by flowing them in a flow of helium or other noble carrier gas through a Cu-containing reduction reactor; (c) performing the steps of (i) making anhydrous in a water trap the reduced gases, (ii) flowing the reduced gases through a gas-chromatographic column in order to carry out a gas-chromatographic separation of N.sub.2 from CH.sub.4 possibly present within the reduced gases, and (iii) removing CO.sub.2 from the reduced gases using a CO.sub.2 trap, with the proviso that step (i) immediately precedes step (ii); and (d) analyzing the resulting gases by detecting thermal conductivity.

Abstract: By heating a wire and positioning the wire against a specimen, the specimen may be pyrolyzed to release a pyrolysate therefrom. The pyrolysate is collected in a hood and carried to a membrane separator from which the pyrolysate may be spectrochemically analyzed. The heated wire may be repeatedly indexed for replacing the adulterated portion of the wire with a clean portion of the wire for each subsequent pyrolysis and spectrochemical analysis of the pyrolysate therefrom. A pyrolysis instrument includes a movable probe supporting the heated wire with the probe being preferably joined to a remote membrane separator flexibly joined thereto.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for minimizing the effects of background signals in masking signals indicating the presence of substances to be detected such as contaminants in materials moving rapidly along a conveyor. The contaminants detected may include nitrogen containing compounds and hydrocarbons. The system and method of the present invention minimizes the number of falsely positive indications of the presence of such substances due to background signals and changes in background signals. The substances detected are divided into first and second sample portions and the respective portions are heated. The first heated portion is reacted with ozone to generate radiation by chemiluminescence having characteristic wavelengths related to substances in the first portion. The second portion heated is also reacted with ozone to generate radiation by chemiluminescence having characteristic wavelengths related to substances in the second portion.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing the effects of background signals in masking signals indicating the presence of substances to be detected such as contaminants in materials moving rapidly along a conveyor. The contaminants detected may include nitrogen containing compounds and hydrocarbons. The system and method minimize, during detection of the presence or absence of such substances, the number of falsely positive indications of the presence of such substances due to background signals and changes in background signals. The substances detected are divided into first and second sample portions and the respective portions are heated. The first heated portion is mixed with ozone to cause a chemical action therewith in order to generate radiation by chemiluminescence having characteristic wavelengths related to substances in the first portion.

Abstract: Non-toxic combustion decomposition accelerators and processes for their production for elemental analysis. The non-toxic accelerators may be either single component or multicomponent. The single component non-toxic accelerators are glass frit, niobium pentoxide, and inorganic phosphate compounds. The multicomponent accelerators are formed from a combination of the foregoing, and most preferably from (a) one or more of niobium pentoxide, tungsten oxide and mixtures thereof, and (b) one or more of glass frit, inorganic phosphate compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for Very Low Temperature Ashing (VLTA). In one embodiment, there is provided a method of ashing solid fuel or combusted or partly combusted fuel or any organic and inorganic matrix which contains minerals in a furnace with a partial pressure less than atmospheric pressure including the step of mixing of oxygen and helium with a total pressure less than the atmospheric pressure and producing a plasma in which the mineral components in the samples are not being affected essentially, wherein the proportion of the gas mixture achieve a surface temperature not exceeding 150.degree. C. on the sample. In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a method of ashing solid fuel or combusted or partly combusted fuel or any organic and inorganic matrix which contains minerals in a surface with a plasma including the step of regulating the proportion between oxygen and helium by a reduction of oxygen content, wherein the surface temperature shall not exceed 150.degree. C.

Abstract: Air reactivity, CO.sub.2 and soot index of a carbon product is determined. The air reactivity and CO.sub.2 reactivity of a sample of a carbon product are determined on the basis of the same test of the same sample. Air reactivity is analyzed first and, when such analysis is finished, CO.sub.2 reactivity is automatically analyzed on the same sample. The soot index is determined by collecting and weighing soot dust. A vertical tube furnace includes an inlet for the introduction of gas, and a sample holder which is freely suspended from a weighing device and extends down into the tube furnace. The sample holder is provided with one or more thermocouples for registering temperature of a carbon product.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a degree of dispersion of an inorganic material in a composite material comprising an organic material having dispersed therein the inorganic material, the method comprising the steps of: forming a block sample of the composite material; dividing the block sample into a plurality of unit volume pieces; incinerating each of the unit volume pieces under an oxidative atmosphere; quantitatively determining the ash content of each of the unit volume pieces; and calculating the scatter of the inorganic material content within the plurality of unit volume pieces.

Abstract: The determination of the halogen content in a substance is carried out by oxidative combustion of the sample under a continuous flow of gas, in the presence of oxygen, the gases coming out of the combustion reactor being then carried by gas flow to analysis equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for the analysis of carbon products enables air reactivity, CO.sub.2 reactivity, soot index and coefficient of thermal expansion of the carbon products to be determined in one analysis operation. The apparatus includes vertical and/or horizontal tube furnaces, each of which is provided with devices for weighing, temperature registration and/or registration dilation. Introduction of gas takes place via one end of each of the tube furnaces. Each of the furnaces is connected to a joint processing unit which checks the various instruments and registers the various instruments and registers and processes the analytical data.

Abstract: A device for trapping reaction products and especially for generating and trapping decomposition products from thermal decomposition processes, including combustion, is described. Decomposition products of a solid sample are formed at the top end of an externally heated vertical decomposition tube and are channeled downward through a region of decreased diameter in which a trapping device is positioned. The trapping device consists of two vertical concentric tubes of which the top end of the inner tube is slightly lower than that of the outer tube. Water flows upward between the two concentric tubes, traps the decomposition products at the top, and drops down through the inner concentric tube. Products contained in the water are collected externally from the lower end of the trapping device for analysis. The insoluble gaseous products are collected by an external vacuum system after passing through the stream of water.

Abstract: Carbon particulate concentration of diesel exhaust or other sampled gas is measured by collecting the particulate on a high efficiency filter while measuring the amount of sampled gas passing through the filter. The filtered particulate is then heated in an oxygen rich environment to oxidize carbon within the particulate to carbon dioxide. The amount of resulting carbon dioxide is measured with a closed measurement loop to derive a corresponding measurement of the amount of filtered particulate. Particulate concentration is calculated by comparing the amount of carbon particulate with the measured amount of sampled gas passed through the filter. Filtered particulate can be heated incrementally to obtain a measurement of volatile carbon components within the particulate prior to the oxidation of the non-volatile carbon component.

Abstract: A method of determining the binder content of bituminous building material including a mixture of a mineralic constituent, a bituminous binder and moisture comprises the steps of: preparing a sample of the material, heating the sample to a temperature between 300.degree. to 550.degree. C.

Abstract: The concentration of an organic chlorine compound contained in a gaseous medium is measured in situ by feeding the gaseous medium to a reaction zone and oxidizing the chlorine compound to produce a reactive gas capable of reacting with a chemiluminescent compound to cause chemiluminescence. The reactive gas is contacted with the chemiluminescent compound contained in a cell to cause chemiluminescence whose intensity is proportional to the amount of the reactive gas produced by the oxidation of the organic compound. The concentration of an organic chlorine compound contained in an aqueous medium may also be measured by the similar method after separating the organic chlorine compound as vapors from the aqueous medium. A device suitable for the above measurement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for separating plasma from blood is provided comprising a synthetic polymeric fibrous structure having a CWST in excess of 65 dynes/cm, the structure having a first region for receiving a blood sample and a second region for accumulating plasma.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing infrared emission from excited molecules in samples of interest is disclosed. Over the wavelength interval from 1 to 5 um, two strong emission bands are observed with a PbSe detector when organic compounds are introduced into an hydrogen/air flame. The band at 4.3 um (2326 cm.sup.-1 is due to the asymmetric stretch of carbon dioxide while the band at 2.7 um is due to both water and carbon dioxide emission. The carbon dioxide emission at 4.3 um is most intense at the tip of the flame, and increases with the amount of organic compound introduced into the flame. For chromatographic application, an optical filter can be used to isolate the 4.3 um emission band. The infrared emission detection system finds application in the determination of total inorganic carbon, chloride and available chlorine in aqueous samples.

Abstract: A furnace with two hot zones holds multiple analysis tubes. Each tube has a separable sample-packing section positioned in the first hot zone and a catalyst-packing section positioned in the second hot zone. A mass flow controller is connected to an inlet of each sample tube, and gas is supplied to the mass flow controller. Oxygen is supplied through a mass flow controller to each tube to either or both of an inlet of the first tube and an intermediate portion between the tube sections to intermingle with and oxidize the entrained gases evolved from the sample. Oxidation of those gases is completed in the catalyst in each second tube section. A thermocouple within a sample reduces furnace temperature when an exothermic condition is sensed within the sample. Oxidized gases flow from outlets of the tubes to individual gas cells. The cells are sequentially aligned with an infrared detector, which senses the composition and quantities of the gas components.

Abstract: Reactions leading to insoluble sediments formation in distillate fuel are accelerated by forcing oxygen into solution in the fuel at pressures of between about 90 and 110 psig and then stressing the fuel under conditions of accelerated storage at temperatures of between about 40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. The method then makes use of gravimetric determination of the total insolubles formed. The stability of the fuel over a period of time as well as its comparative stability to other fuels can then be predicted from the amount of insolubles formed. The method can be carried out by using a specialized pressure vessel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring and controlling the efficiency of a combustion whereby, ash samples are drawn at predetermined time intervals from a region of a combustion plant, each drawn sample is set in an exhausted reaction cell, combustion reaction gas is introduced under controlled pressure, a superficial layer of the sample is heated to the carbon combustion temperature by a CO.sub.2 laser beam, the reaction gas is drawn from the cell and the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the carbon combustion is measured in a calibrated detector. The amount of unburnt carbon contained in the ashes is determined based on a preceding calibration carried out on ashes of known carbon content.

Abstract: Particulate concentration of diesel exhaust is measured by collecting the diesel particulate on a filter while measuring the amount of exhaust passing through the filter. The filtered particlate is then heated in an oxygen rich enviroment to oxidize carbon within the particulate to carbon dioxide. The amount of resulting carbon dioxide is measured to derive a corresponding measurement of the amount of filterd particulate. Particulate concentration is calculated by comparing the amount of particulate with the measured amount of exhaust passed through the filter. Filtered particulate can be heated incrementally to obtain a measurement of volatile components within the particulate prior to the oxidation of the non-volatile carbon component. The filter employed to collect the particulate is of a high temperature resistant type making it reusable and can be either integral with or inserted into the oxidation chamber of the instrument.

Abstract: Total organic carbon (TOC) and inorganic carbon (TIC) monitoring of water is useful in determining the water quality. Conventional TOC and TIC monitoring techniques are not zero gravity compatible. The addition of microporous hydrophobic bladders in combination with a non-dispersive infrared analyzer allow for a two phase, liquid and gas, zero gravity compatible TOC monitoring technique. The non-dispersive infrared analyzer determines the quantity of carbon dioxide present in an aqueous sample after addition of acid and post oxidation. The measured carbon dioxide quantities derived from the aqueous sample are related to the TIC and TOC present in the aqueous sample, respectively.

Abstract: Traditionally, volatile organic compounds are monitored using the purge and trap technique required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, this technique operates in two phases, liquid and gas, requiring gravity to effect the separation of the two phases. The present invention, which can be automated, incorporates a microporous hydrophobic bladder to permit zero gravity monitoring of volatile organic compounds in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: An alcohol concentration sensor provided a tube shaped means (21) of which the top end (211) is closed with a top end closing means (20) and of which the bottom end (212) is remained open, a gas supply tube means (22) which penetrates the top end closing means (20) to extend down into the tube shaped means (21), which is provided an air blower means (24), and of which the lower end (221) terminates slightly upper than the bottom end (212) of the tube shaped means (21), thereby the lower end (221) of the gas supply tube means (22) is soaked into a liquid (10) containing water and alcohol, of which the alcohol concentration is required to be determined, deeply sufficient to allow the air bubbles flown out of the gas supply tube means (22) into the liquid (10) to absorb sufficient quantity of alcohol contained in the liquid (10), whenever the tube shaped means (21) is soaked in the liquid (10 ), a gas drawing out means (26) which penetrates the top end closing means (20), a gas temperature sensing means (27) whi

Abstract: Total carbon and organic carbon monitoring of water is useful in determining water quality. Conventional TOC monitoring techniques are not zero gravity compatible. Ion chromatography allows for a single phase zero gravity compatible TOC monitoring technique. The ion chromatograph determines the amounts of organic acids and carbonate present in an aqueous sample before and after oxidation. The quantities determined by this technique can be related to the total carbon and the total organic carbon present in the aqueous sample.

Abstract: The binder content of bituminous building materials, especially asphalts is determined. To enable samples of relatively great mass to be analyzed within comparatively little time, the binder is removed from the sample by thermal degradation. The binder content is then calculated from the weight loss which the sample undergoes due to the thermal decomposition.

Abstract: The present invention is a single phase analysis process and apparatus which is zero gravity compatible and capable of detecting trace levels of organic halogens. The process utilizes a sorbent bed, oxidation chamber, and an ion chromatograph. Current technology does not allow determination of which organic halogens are present at trace levels. Additionally, the commonly utilized technique for monitoring organic halogens is a two phase analysis which is not zero gravity compatible.

Abstract: A method of evaluating properties of an oxygen sensor used for detecting air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas from internal combustion engine comprises steps of preparing a burnt gas having a predetermined excess air ratio, supplying additional oxidation gas and/or reduction gas into the burnt gas, and detecting an output from the sensor exposed to the mixed gas flow. The supply amount of the additional gas is increased and decreased with a frequency of at least 10 Hz, and a ratio of a supply increasing period to a supply decreasing period is changed to change the supply amount of the additional gas, so that an excess air ratio .lambda. can be controlled similarly to exhaust gas from an actual engine.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for quantitatively analyzing a gaseous mixture for its components. A predetermined volume of a gaseous mixture of combustion products component is collected in a gas mixer up to a preselected pressure. A portion of the mixture is discharged successively through the tubular column and a sample chamber for a predetermined time period with the mixture being initially at the preselected pressure in the volume means. Detection of delayed output of gas constituents from the column provides an analysis of constituents. The apparatus further comprises a furnace, a magazine for holding the plurality of test samples, a transfer device connected to the furnace for sequentially transferring a successive sample from the magazine to the furnace, and a furnace seal integral with the transfer device for temporal sealing of the furnace from ambient atmosphere after the sample is transferred to the furnace until subsequent transferral.

Abstract: An assistant combustion agent for use in a high-frequency combustion furnace is characterized by a blending together of tungsten powder and tin powder. The blended mixture is then molded into a form and a plurality of the molded forms are added to a sample in the furnace. The ratio of tungsten powder to tin powder is between about 80:20 to 60:40.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for decomposing and analyzing a sample for sulfur. The methods combust a nebulized sample in an oxygen-rich atmosphere and then analyze the combustion gases for sulfur. The apparatus employs a nebulizer operatively connected to a combustion tube and employs appropriate detector(s) to analyze the combustion gases from the combustion tube for sulfur.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for decomposing and analyzing a sample. The methods combust a nebulized sample in an oxygen-rich atomsphere; the analysis method then analyzes the combustion gases for a preselected analyte. The apparatus employs a nebulizer operatively connected to a combustion tube; the analysis apparatus employs appropriate detector(s) to analyze the combustion gases from the combustion tube for preselected analyte(s).