Patent ID: 7338203
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of analyzing a sample, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus, comprising: obtaining a sample; introducing the sample into the measuring cell; activating the laser emitter, the longitudinal optical receiver and the lateral optical receiver to pass an optical beam through the sample; gradually lowering the temperature of the cryostatic chamber while recording a detection curve showing the variations in light intensity received by the longitudinal optical receiver as a function of the temperature, and an opacity curve showing the variations in the light intensity received by the lateral optical receiver as a function of the temperature; determining, using the opacity curve, at least one of the end of crystallization temperature and the point of opacity of the sample; gradually raising the temperature of the chamber while continuing to record the detection curve and the opacity curve; and determining the vanishing point of crystals in the sample from the detection curve within a temperature range of −5 to −120° C.