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

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. 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 providemore » 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. « less

Inventors:

LaCount, Robert B ^[1]

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1. 403 Arbor Ct., Waynesburg, PA 15370

Issue Date:

Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

Research Org.:

ViRoLac Industries, Waynesburg, PA (United States)

OSTI Identifier:

868751

Patent Number(s):

5204270

Assignee:

LaCount; Robert B. (403 Arbor Ct., Waynesburg, PA 15370)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N2021/0382 - {Frustoconical, tapered cell}
G01N21/3504 - for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
G01N2201/0415 - Carrusel, sequential
G01N33/222 - {Solid fuels, e.g. coal}

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG01-90ER81055

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

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/