Apparatus for analysis of organic material

Abstract

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. 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. A gas mixing system for homogenizing the gaseous mixture at a substantially constant temperature comprises a sealable vessel, an impeller rotatably mounted in the vessel for stirring the gases, wherein the impeller comprises a plurality of blades each formed of a material having a mass such that the total heat capacity of the blades and the thermal conductivity of the blade material are cooperative with the impeller rotation to maintain constant temperature during introduction of the gases.