Multiple sample characterization of coals and other substances by controlled-atmosphere programmed temperature oxidation

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868751

LaCount, Robert B ^[1]

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1. 403 Arbor Ct., Waynesburg, PA 15370

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. Each elongated cell is tapered inward toward the center from cell windows at the ends. Volume is reduced from a conventional cell, while permitting maximum interaction of gas with the light beam. Reduced volume and angulation of the cell inlets provide rapid purgings of the cell, providing shorter cycles between detections. For coal and other high molecular weight samples, from 50% to 100% oxygen is introduced to the tubes.

• Research Organization: ViRoLac Industries, Waynesburg, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG01-90ER81055
• Assignee: LaCount; Robert B. (403 Arbor Ct., Waynesburg, PA 15370)
• Patent Number(s): US 5204270
• OSTI ID: 868751
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

multiple
sample
characterization
coals
substances
controlled-atmosphere
programmed
temperature
oxidation
furnace
hot
zones
holds
analysis
tubes
tube
separable
sample-packing
section
positioned
zone
catalyst-packing
mass
flow
controller
connected
inlet
gas
supplied
oxygen
intermediate
portion
sections
intermingle
oxidize
entrained
gases
evolved
completed
catalyst
thermocouple
reduces
exothermic
condition
sensed
oxidized
outlets
individual
cells
sequentially
aligned
infrared
detector
senses
composition
quantities
components
elongated
cell
tapered
inward
center
windows
volume
reduced
conventional
permitting
maximum
interaction
light
beam
angulation
inlets
provide
rapid
purgings
providing
shorter
cycles
detections
coal
molecular
weight
samples
50
100
introduced
infrared detector
individual gas
furnace temperature
intermediate portion
hot zone
mass flow
flow control
light beam
molecular weight
tube sections
temperature oxidation
sample tube
section positioned
tube section
gas cell
flow controller
multiple sample
gas components
gas component
hot zones
entrained gas
entrained gases
packing section
conventional cell
/436/250/356/422/