Patent ID: 6227041
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for determining the volatile content of a sample while monitoring or controlling the sample temperature, the apparatus comprising:a cavity in which a sample for which the volatile content is to be determined can be placed;an infrared temperature sensor capable of measuring and positioned to measure the infrared radiation emitted by the sample placed within said cavity without contacting the sample;an analytical balance for measuring the weight of the sample while the sample is in said cavity;a power source for introducing microwaves into said cavity that have frequencies substantially other than the infrared frequencies; anda processing unit in communication with said temperature sensor and said power source for controlling the introduction of said frequencies of microwave energy into said cavity in response to the infrared frequencies measured by said temperature sensor to control the sample temperature until the microwaves from said source dry the sample sufficiently for said processing unit to determine the volatile content of the sample based on the weight change of the sample on said balance.