Moisture and volatiles analyzer

Abstract

A volatile content analysis instrument is disclosed that includes a cavity and a microwave source positioned to produce and direct microwaves into the cavity at frequencies other than infrared frequencies. A balance is included with at least the balance pan (or platform) in the cavity. An infrared source is positioned to produce and direct infrared radiation into the cavity at frequencies other than the microwave frequencies produced by the microwave source. A lens is positioned between the infrared source and the balance pan for more efficiently directing infrared radiation to a sample on the balance pan. The lens has dimensions that preclude microwaves of the frequencies produced by the source and directed into the cavity from leaving the cavity.

1 . A volatile content analysis instrument comprising:
 a cavity;   a balance with at least the balance pan in said cavity;   an infrared source that is positioned to direct infrared radiation into said cavity;   a lens between said infrared source and said balance pan for more efficiently directing infrared radiation to a sample on said balance pan.   
     
     
         2 . An instrument according to  claim 1  wherein said lens comprises a reflective collimator positioned between said infrared source and said balance pan. 
     
     
         3 . An instrument according to  claim 2  wherein:
 said instrument includes a microwave source that produces and directs microwave radiation into said cavity at frequencies other than the infrared frequencies produced by said infrared source; and 
 said collimator is a metal opening having dimensions that preclude the microwave frequencies produced by said microwave source from leaving said cavity through said collimator opening. 
 
     
     
         4 . An instrument according to  claim 3  further comprising an infrared temperature detector positioned to target a sample on said balance pan. 
     
     
         5 . An instrument according to  claim 4  further comprising a processor in communication with said infrared source, said microwave source, and said temperature detector, for moderating the application of radiation to a sample in response to the detected temperature. 
     
     
         6 . A volatile content analysis instrument comprising:
 a cavity;   a microwave source positioned to produce and direct microwaves into said cavity at frequencies other than infrared frequencies;   a balance with at least the balance pan in the cavity;   an infrared source that is positioned to produce and direct infrared radiation into said cavity at frequencies other than the microwave frequencies produced by said microwave source;   a lens between said infrared source and said balance pan for more efficiently directing infrared radiation to a sample on said balance pan; and   said lens having dimensions that preclude microwaves of the frequencies produced by said source and directed into said cavity from leaving said cavity.   
     
     
         7 . An instrument according to  claim 6  further comprising an infrared temperature detector positioned to target a sample on said balance pan. 
     
     
         8 . An instrument according to  claim 7  further comprising a processor in communication with said infrared source, said microwave source, and said temperature detector, for moderating the application of radiation to a sample in response to the detected temperature. 
     
     
         9 . An instrument according to  claim 6  wherein said lens is a metal opening having dimensions that preclude microwaves produced by said microwave source from leaving said cavity through said lens. 
     
     
         10 . An instrument according to  claim 6  wherein said lens comprises a plurality of adjoining cells, open at both ends and oriented in a wall of said cavity with the open ends of each said cell generally aligned along a light path defined from said infrared source to said balance pan; and
 with the interior walls of said cells having a surface that is sufficiently specular to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the infrared frequencies produced by said infrared source. 
 
     
     
         11 . An instrument according to  claim 10  wherein said plurality of adjoining cells are formed of metal. 
     
     
         12 . An instrument according to  claim 10  wherein said cells have a length-to-opening ratio sufficient to attenuate the microwave frequencies generated by said source and propagated into said cavity. 
     
     
         13 . An instrument according to  claim 6  further comprising an infrared reflector positioned to direct infrared radiation from said source to said lens. 
     
     
         14 . A method of loss-on-drying content measurement comprising:
 collimating infrared radiation towards a volatile-containing sample; and   concurrently propagating microwave frequencies to the same sample.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising attenuating the microwave frequencies at a collimator that collimates the infrared radiation. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising collimating the infrared radiation through a microwave attenuator that is sized proportionately to attenuate the concurrently propagated microwave frequencies. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising measuring the infrared radiation produced by a heated sample. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  further comprising adjusting a factor selected from the group consisting of the collimated infrared radiation, the propagated microwaves, and combinations thereof, in response to the measured infrared radiation from the heated sample. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising:
 weighing the sample before the collimating and microwave propagation steps; and 
 weighing the sample during the collimating and microwave propagation steps. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising:
 weighing the sample before the collimating and microwave propagation steps; and 
 weighing the sample when the sample is dry. 
 
     
     
         21 . A combined infrared collimator and microwave attenuator comprising:
 a plurality of adjoining cells, open at both ends and oriented with the open ends of each said cell generally aligned substantially parallel to one another;   wherein the interior walls of said cells have surfaces that are sufficiently specular to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the infrared frequencies; and   wherein said cells have a length-to-opening ratio sufficient to attenuate electromagnetic radiation within the microwave frequencies.   
     
     
         22 . A combined infrared collimator and microwave attenuator according to  claim 21  wherein:
 said interior wall surfaces will reflect infrared radiation having wavelengths between about 3 microns and 1 millimeter; and; 
 said cells will attenuate microwave radiation having wavelengths between about 1 millimeter and 1 meter. 
 
     
     
         23 . A combined infrared collimator and microwave attenuator according to  claim 22  wherein said cells are formed of metal.