A MACRO STA-SYSTEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES

A new Thermal Analyser was developed for solving environmental problem s with TA-MS. The sample volume of 170 mi and the balance capacity of 500 g allow a real upscaling, i.e. representative amount of waste can be tested. The furnace is designed for a homogeneous heating of this l arge sample Volume and the gas flow system guarantees a direct interac tion between the purge gas (up to 1000 ml min(-1)) and the sample. Sim ultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis are possi ble up to 1200 degrees C. Because of the ecological importance of the evolved volatiles during waste incineration, this Macro-STA 419, is eq uipped with an on line mass spectrometer coupling by a double orifice system, heatable up to 350 degrees C as well as a GC-MS system. All co nstruction parts which come in contact with the sample and the decompo sition products are resistant to corrosion. The new developed system i s introduced, some specific technical requirements are discussed toget her with their solutions, and applications will be presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.