 Instrument Description
The ELTRA CS-800 carbon/sulfur analyzer remote induction furnace and RF generator are enclosed in the CNOH glovebox, with the analyzer cabinet and associated controls located outside the glovebox. The solid sample (~0.5 g) is weighed and placed inside an alumina crucible, along with granulated tungsten metal (~1.5 g). The crucible is loaded into the induction furnace, where it is heated to high temperature (~2,500°C) by the RF generator, melting the sample in a stream of oxygen (3L/min). All the carbon and sulfur components in the sample are oxidized and released as gases CO and CO2 and SO2, respectively. The furnace exhaust is filtered by a metal-mesh filter inside the glovebox to remove any dust, followed by magnesium perchlorate (anhydrone) to remove any water from combustion. The dry and dust-free gas exits the glovebox through a HEPA filter to remove any radioactive particulates before entering the analyzer cabinet. The sulfur content is measured by high- and low-range infrared (IR) cells to determine sulfur content of the sample by SO2 IR absorption. The gas stream is passed through heated copper oxide (350°C) to oxidize any CO present to CO2 and convert the SO2 to SO3. A cellulose filter is used to remove all SO3 from the gas stream. The carbon content is then measured by high- and low-range infrared (IR) cells to determine carbon content of the sample by CO2 IR absorption. The gas stream is then returned to the suspect-exhaust ventilation. Additionally, the oxygen carrier gas is purified by solid sorbent traps containing sodium hydroxide to remove CO2 and anhydrone to remove water, in the analyzer cabinet, in order to provide a lower background for IR absorption measurements. Total combustion analysis time is less than 1 minute for obtaining these carbon and sulfur measurements.
Applications
The ELTRA CS-800 carbon/sulfur analyzer is used to measure carbon and sulfur content of various samples from radioactive or nonradioactive sources. Sample size is typically >1 gram solid sample analysis. It is located in the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen (CNOH) glovebox. Specifications
Measured elements | carbon, sulfur | Samples | inorganic | Furnace alignment | vertical | Sample carrier | ceramic crucibles | Field of application | construction materials, engineering/electronics mining, glass/ceramics, steel/metallurgy | Furnace | induction furnace, above 2,000 °C | | Detection method | solid state infrared absorption | | Number of IR cells | 1-4 | | Material of IR cells | aluminum (optional gold) | | Typical analysis time | 40-50 s | | Chemicals required | copper oxide, magnesium perchlorate, sodium hydroxide | | Gas required | compressed air (4-6 bar/60-90 psi) oxygen 99.5% pure (2-4 bar/30-60 psi) | | Power requirements | 230 V, 50/60 Hz, max. 15 A, 3450 W | | Dimensions (W x H x D) | 55 x 80 x 60 cm | | Weight | ~110 kg | | Required equipment | balance (resolution 0.0001 g), monitor, PC |
Sample types that can be measured include most inorganic solids that have a melting point below 2,500 ⁰C. Analysis of radioactive samples is facilitated by the instruments glovebox installation. Typical sample analysis time is less than one minute. Concentration ranges depend on the sample matrix but typical measurable quantities range from 1 to 120,000 ppm. Sample size depends on the type of material being analyzed and typically ranges from 100 to 1,000 mg.
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